By Bryan Kress
With 1,079 yards of total offense, and 92 points scored, of course the game would be sealed on a defensive play. And of course after having the second best game in Bluffton history in the air, quarterback Hunter Joseph's final throw would be a heart breaking interception.
Joseph finished the night with 440 yards passing on 28 of 46 passes completed with 6 touchdowns. That's a night any quarterback will take, but it's his 2nd interception on the final drive for Bluffton that ended the game and their hopes of pulling off the upset.
Bluffton started their scoring in the first with a 25-yard pass from Joseph to RJ Stratton, but the PAT kick failed. game
Down 21-6 in the 1st quarter, Joseph hit Stratton again, this time for a 29-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-12 when the 2-poin conversion failed. Stratton ended his day with 7 catches for 142 yards and the 3 touchdowns.
Bluffton would score first in the 2nd quarter on a 55-yard touchdown pass to Matt Gillett. The touchdown drive started after an interception by Gillett. Gillett had 2 interceptions on the day along with 5 tackles on defense. On offense Gillett had 6 receptions for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns.
After Ada scored on their next drive, Bluffton answered with another touchdown pass to Stratton to make the game 28-26 Ada.
The only scoring of the 3rd quarter came with 3:55 left in the quarter when Joseph hit runningback Keshaun Hughes for a 9-yard touchdown pass. Hughes led Bluffton in rushing with 89 yards on 12 carries.
Bluffton would open up the 4th quarter with a Joseph to Gillett 20-yard touchdown pass to put them up 41-35.
After Ada tied the game 41-41, Bluffton drove down the field and with 3:20 left in the game Matt Deter broke the tie with a 25-yard field goal.
Bluffton would need a huge defensive stop to seal the game and the upset, they did not get it. Mirroring last week's Crestview final drive, Ada drove the ball 80 yards on 8 plays, 7 runs, to score and go ahead 48-44.
Bluffton still had :41 left on the clock and got the ball back on their 34 yard line. They would drive down 26 yards before Joseph threw the interception that would finish the game.
Joseph had a truly historic night and many people did not expect Bluffton to win the game, despite the loss it shows the character of a team when they pushed a good team to their limits and almost beat them. This game will hurt, but it will be a confidence builder.
On offense Brandon Deeds added 4 catches for 64 yards, and Jacob Nienberg caught 8 passes for 83 yards.
Defensively Jeremy Basinger led the defense with 14 total tackles and had 3 sacks. Noah Stratton added 12 tackles himself. Matt Gillett had an overall great night, along with the 2 touchdown receptions, had 2 interceptions.
Bluffton is 3-2 and will be at home in search of their 4th win against Allen East (0-5).
