DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Crusaders ventured down to Defiance, Ohio to take on the Defiance College Yellow Jackets in the first ever matchup between these two teams. Despite the 55-27 loss, the Crusaders would set three offensive records this afternoon; most rushing yards by both a team and player in a single game, as well as breaking the single-season receptions records. With this, the Crusaders can hold their heads high going into the final three games of the 2024 campaign.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders would come out and drive down the field on the games opening possession. Running back Nah'shon Williams would break free for a 38-yard touchdown to put the Crusaders up 6-0 less than two minutes into the game. 

Their defense would stand tall, forcing a three-and-out on the Yellow Jackets' first possession. However, the Yellow Jackets defense would get them on the board with an 80-yard scoop and score to tie the game at 6-6.

From their, the Yellow Jackets would extend their lead in the second quarter, tacking on 23 points by onside kicking multiple times to try and steal the ball back. 

The highlight of the game's second period would be wide receiver Imarion Kelly's 37th reception of the season, breaking the previous single-season Crusader record of 36 receptions.

Tired of the antics of the Yellow Jackets, the Crusaders would answer in the third quarter by getting back on the board. Quarterback Keel Watson IV found tight end Nick Hayward in the endzone from 18-yards out. The extra point from kicker William Stoyanovich made it a 35-13 game.

The Crusaders would find the endzone twice more in the fourth quarter, with sophomore running back Kwame Miller getting the first touchdown of his Crusader career and Williams getting his second of the day. After scoring from 13 yards out, Williams would eclipse a new school single-game rushing record with 132 yards.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Quarterback Taurean Singletary was 12-of-16 for 110 yards as well as 38 yards on the ground.
• Williams had a school record 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
• Kelly ended the day with 5 catches for 22 yards, setting a new school record of 40 receptions in a single season.
• As a team, the Crusaders set a new record with 220 total rushing yards in a game.
• Matt DeHart and Jonathan Jordan each had one interception.
• Nash Phillips and Tommy Larson each recorded two sacks.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will return to Michigan next Saturday to face their down-the-road rivals; the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils. The game will kick off at 1:00 pm November 2 from Southfield, Michigan.