The Spartans, after a 21-21 deadlock in the first half, forced three Yellowjacket punts, turned over the visitors twice and also stopped Defiance on downs twice during the third and fourth quarters. MU's defense ended the game with six tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, a sack and three pass break-ups. Coach Shannon Griffith's squad, moving to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action, took advantage of the stout defensive effort with two second half touchdowns to seal a 34-28 victory in front of just under 2000 fans at Carl Burt Field.

A three-play, 64-yard march early in the fourth quarter broke up the halftime tie. Junior quarterback Nick Williams (Fort Wayne, Ind.) found senior wide receiver Kurt Monix (Crown Point, Ind.) down the right side with a 52-yard scoring strike to make it 28-21. Defiance, slipping to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in league play, tried to respond in its ensuing possession but was stopped on downs. MU picked up where they had left off, driving six plays for a 34-21 lead when Williams split the seam up the middle and ran 22 yards for a touchdown.

Defiance closed within six with a quick one-minute, nine-second drive, but an onside kickoff try thereafter was soundly snagged by senior defensive back Matt Frieden (Wabash, Ind.). The visitors did get one more chance after that, but senior punter Kyle Evans (Winamac, Ind.) averted a big rush attempt from the Yellowjackets and pinned them on their own two-yard line. Defiance went to the air for four plays but couldn't convert, and the game ended.

Manchester matched three Defiance first half scores. The Black and Gold offense responded to each challenge, as sophomore running back Austin Adams (Dogawiac, Mich.) broke loose down the sidelines for a 66-yard scamper and drove in from nine yards out, while Williams went around the right side for a seven-yard touchdown run.

Williams, for a second successive week, led the offense with 182 yards passing and 72 yards rushing for a combined 254-yard effort. Adams topped the rushing attack with 85 yards on 12 carries. Monix was the top receiver with six catches for 116 yards. Along individual defensive lines, Frieden's 10 and a half tackles led the way, while junior linebacker Zach Dashner (South Bend, Ind.) added nine-and-a-half tackles and an interception. Senior defensive back Jake Butler (South Bend, Ind.) added an interception, while the junior defensive lineman tandem of Dave Wilson (LaPorte, Ind.) and Dan Hunter (Monroeville, Ind.) combined for a sack, and Butler and junior defensive back Jacob Meyer (Highland, Ind.) each recovered a fumble.

The Spartans seek to continue their recent winning ways when Earlham College visits Carl Burt Field for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday, Oct. 13. The game highlights Homecoming 2012 festivities.