Statistical Spotlight

More news about: Alfred | Bluffton | Crown | Howard Payne
Howard Payne's Mitchell Bailey
Mitchell Bailey kicked four field goals, none of which was a chip shot, for Howard Payne.
Howard Payne athletics photo

Each week during the regular season we look at some of the key statistical performances from the weekend in Division III football, highlighting one per region.

Crown celebrated Drew Milner's return to the lineup in grand fashion, as the senior caught 14 passes for 184 yards and four touchdowns and Crown gave the UMAC a rare victory against an MIAC team, 49-35 against Carleton. Milner's 2009 season ended early after he caught just 12 passes.

One Alfred question mark entering the season was how the Saxons would fare without running back Vinson Hendrix. Alfred made it a moot point as the defense blanked Widener 37-0, allowing just five completions and picking off four Pride passes in the win. Nick Clark, Roland O'Brien, Alex Currier and Chris Gibbs each picked off a pass, while Brady Bonacquisti and Matt Mazur each forced fumbles in the win.

Howard Payne sophomore kicker Mitchell Bailey hit a pair of 50-yard field goals and finished with four on the game in a double-overtime 40-34 road loss to Trinity. Bailey, whose other field goals came from 44 and 35 yards out, also ran in a two-point conversion. The two point conversion came on a missnap that went high, right into Bailey's hands. He sprinted for the pylon and beat the Trinity defense. The second 50-yarder sent the game into double overtime. Bailey was also good on his two extra-point attempts.

Bluffton made life difficult on the replacement for record-setting quarterback Brandon Luczak. The Beavers snapped their 17-game losing streak in part by sacking Sam Landry three times and Nick Jones once en route to a 30-28 win. The defense also forced three fumbles and had seven tackles for loss.