Stott’s 200-yards pace AU offense in HCAC win

The Anderson University football team opened the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference slate with a 56-12 victory over rival Hanover College on Saturday afternoon at Macholtz Stadium.

Darryl Stott led the Raven offense with a career-high 200 yards rushing on 28 carries, including  touchdown runs of 23, 4 and 11 yards. The AU offense finished with 620 total yards, including 273 on the ground. John Sims finished with 45 yards on 12 carries.

Mitch Grider, subbing for an injured Chase Thurston, completed 12-of-17 passes for a career-high 253 yards and three touchdowns. Thurston finished 4-of-8 for 82 yards and receiver Tyler Akers added an 11-yard touchdown pass on a reverse.

Chris Russell was the top receiver with six catches for a career-high 162 yards and three touchdowns, including a long of 57 yards. Zach Duke had four receptions for 67 yards and Akers added four catches for 43 yards. Nolan Bernard added a 15-yard TD reception.

The Raven defense had its best game of the season, limiting the Panthers to 281 total yards, including only 40 on the ground. The secondary also picked off five passes, including an 11-yard interception return for a score by Kaleb Donahue.

Luke Hurst led the defense with 12 tackles and an interception and Jeremiah Townsell added 12 tackles, three tackles-for-loss and a sack. Michael Capstick had 10 tackles and Jathan Wilsey added eight tackles, including six tackles-for-loss. Cory Perrin, Ryan Hildenbrand and Chance Benbow also had interceptions.

AU (2-2, 1-0 HCAC) travels to Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday. The game will be carried live on the internet broadcast at 1:30 p.m.