By: Colton Steiner
MARIETTA, Ohio - The Bluffton Beavers finished their 2025 football season on the road, traveling to Marietta College to face off against the 4-5 Pioneers, who hold a 3-5 record in the OAC. Despite a solid start from the Beavers, the offense would be unable to put any points on the board in the second half as Marietta would hand Bluffton a 37-14 loss, putting the Beavers at a final record of 5-5 and a 3-3 record in the HCAC.
Following a Tywuan Clark (Toledo, Ohio / Central Catholic) interception, the home team would get on the board after a 7-yard rush made it 6-0 after an unsuccessful two-point converstion attempt. The Beavers would strike back, and after Jaivon Hudson (Bedford) broke free and took off for a run of 62 yards, an 8-yard rushing score from Tywuan Clark would cap off the drive to give the Beavers a 7-6 lead goin into the second quarter. While the Beavers would give up a 41-yard field goal to the Pioneers, Tywuan Clark would connect with Jashawn Wyckoff (Cleveland, Ohio / Cleveland Heights) for a 28-yard touchdown, putting Bluffton up 14-9. Despite the lead, Marietta answered with a touchdown of their own, giving the home team a 16-14 lead with 4:20 remaining in the half. After a blocked Beaver punt with less than a minute left, the Pioneers would score off a 25-yard touchdown pass to hold a 23-14 lead heading into the half. In the third quarter, the hosts added a score off a 7-yard connection, putting Marietta up 30-14 heading into the final quarter. Bluffton's offense would be unable to put points up, as the Pioneers would pass for their fourth touchdown of the day with 10:25 left in regulation as they extended their lead to 37-14. With 8:07 left on the clock, Marietta would get the ball and burn the rest of the clock as they would come away with the 37-14 win over the Beavers.
Under center for Bluffton was Tywuan Clark, who threw for 148 yards in the contest and completed 13-of-21 passes with one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Clark would add 11 rushes for 38 yards and a score on the ground, while Jaivon Hudson led the rushing attack, carrying the ball nine times for 103 yards. Hauling in five receptions for 53 yards with a score was Jashawn Wyckoff, with Niegel Payne (Detroit, Mich. / River Rouge) catching three balls in his last collegiate game.
Defensively, it would be a career day for Mason Brandon (Louisville, Ky. / Meade County), who tallied a career-high 17 tackles in the contest, four shy of the school record. In his 17 tackles, he would record one of two Beaver sacks, with Savon Gatlin (Riverdale, Ga. / Drew) recording the other sack, bringing his total on the season to six. Travion Curry (Thomson, Ga. / Thomson) added nine tackles, including a TFL, with Nolan Mills (Louisville, Ky. / Meade County) right behind him with eight.
As a team, the Pioneers would outgain Bluffton 444-289, as the Beavers would have a balanced attack with 148 yards passing and 141 yards rushing. With a time of possession of just over 31 minutes, Marietta would throw for 289 yards on the Bluffton defense while running for 155 yards.
As Bluffton's season comes to a close, be sure to check the Bluffton Football Webpage over the coming week for updated record books and all-conference honors.
-Beavers-