DEFIANCE, Ohio - The Manchester University football team fell in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action on the road at Defiance College on Saturday, March 20.

The Yellow Jackets came away with five critical takeaways on the afternoon en route to a 22-16 victory. The Spartans fumbled twice and had three passes intercepted in the red zone.

The Black & Gold led for most of Saturday's game before Defiance rallied to score 16 of its 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Manchester opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 15-play, 64-yard drive that was capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Tomasi (Mishawaka, Ind./Marian) to wide receiver Darren Lathrop (Lafayette, Ind./McCutcheon).

After the Yellow Jackets responded with a 47-yard touchdown run by Machari Bighams, the ensuing PAT was blocked by a host of Spartans and returned all the way by Jaquan Walker (Johnson, Fla./Interlachen) for a safety. The Spartans led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter. That lead would hold until the final period of the contest.

After a Spartan turnover, the Yellow Jackets capitalized with a 5-yard run from Daylon Lange. The ensuing 2-point conversion attempt succeed and put Defiance College ahead 14-9.

The Spartans were unable to regain the lead as a Zac Montgomery (Knightstown, Ind./Mt. Vernon) pass was picked off in the end zone. Defiance would go on to string together a 6-play, 80-yard scoring drive that staked the Yellow Jackets out to a 22-9 lead with just over eight minutes to play.

The Spartans would find the end zone before the conclusion of the game as Zac Montgomery connected with Harrington Greer (South Bend, Ind./Riley) on a 19-yard strike.

The Black & Gold held a narrow 311-308 advantage in total yards of offense on Saturday. MU threw for 272 yards. Bryce Tomasi finished 30-41 for 186 yards and score while Montgomery ended the day 9-13 for 86 yards.

Darren Lathrop caught 13 passes for 85 yards while Harrington Greer hauled in nine passes for 64 yards. Joseph Powell (Beach Park, Ill./Zion Benton) had seven receptions go for 52 yards. Nine different players had at least one reception against the Yellow Jackets.

Manchester's defense had eight tackles-for-loss and 2.0 sacks. Kobe Roberson (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) had 10 tackles while Nick Tillmann (Lawrenceburg, Ind./East Central) had seven tackle. Both had one tackle-for-loss. Marvin Collins (Riviera Beach, Fla./Palm Beach Gardens) had six tackles, one sack, and two tackles-for-loss.

Manchester will now gear up for the Bronze Ball game against rival Anderson on Saturday, March 27. Kickoff from Anderson is slated for 1:30 p.m.