BLUFFTON, Ohio – Hanover (6-2 overall, 5-0 HCAC) secured the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference title and a berth into the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Beavers of Bluffton 48-0. The HCAC title is the Panthers' first since 2019.
 
STRIPE STANDARD STATS
The Panthers were outstanding in the shutout, combining for 586 total yards of offense, 285 yards coming through the air.
 
Junior Eian Roudebush threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, but the outstanding part of his game came on the ground. The junior rushed for a season-best 116 yards and one score.
 
Junior Don Dunning collected 86 yards rushing with a touchdown.
 
Defensively, senior Garron Jenkins was a force in the backfield, claiming four tackles for loss and three sacks. Senior Joey McElroy Jr. also pressured the quarterback, adding two tackles for loss and a sack of seven yards.
 
The Panthers claimed three interceptions and held Bluffton to just 191 yards of total offense.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Panthers' ground game proved unstoppable, accounting for multiple touchdowns in a performance that showcased their offensive dominance.
 
Hanover wasted no time establishing their rushing attack. On their opening drive, the Panthers marched 70 yards in 10 plays, capping the series with a seven-yard touchdown run by Don Dunning at the 11:13 mark of the first quarter. The methodical drive set the tone for what would be a long day for the Beavers' defense.
The Panthers struck quickly on their next possession when quarterback Eian Roudebush connected with junior Curbrian Shelby for a 52-yard touchdown pass just over two minutes later, extending the lead to 14-0.
 
In the second quarter, Hanover's rushing attack continued to dominate. Sophomore Blaik Nation punched in an 8-yard touchdown run at 8:57, the culmination of a five-play, 41-yard drive that consumed 2:39 of clock. The Panthers added another score through the air when Roudebush found sophomore Jack Pennington for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 1:26 remaining in the half, sending Hanover into the locker room with a commanding 28-0 advantage.
 
The ground game remained relentless in the second half. Freshman Josh Williams was a workhorse for the Panthers, consistently churning out tough yards. On one third-quarter drive, Williams ripped off an 11-yard gain to the Hanover 40, followed by a five-yard pickup. Moments later, Roudebush showcased his dual-threat ability with a spectacular 55-yard touchdown scamper at 12:03, leaving Bluffton defenders grasping at air. The final score came from Trenten Cail on a six yard rush that secured the 48-0 shutout.
 
The victory secured the Panthers their first HCAC title since 2019 and a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
 
Hanover returns to action on Saturday when they celebrate Senior Day at Alumni Stadium with Otterbein.