Football team comes up short against Adrian, 28-8

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College football team came up short against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) leader Adrian College, 28-8, today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

The Bulldogs got the ball first to start the game and drove down to the Olivet 10 before getting stopped on fourth down. Olivet was forced to punt on its first two series of the game. Adrian finally broke through on its third possession of the game, covering 55 yards on seven plays to put the first seven points on the scoreboard when Kyle Smock ran three yards into the end zone and Dustin Salliotte made the PAT kick.

The Comets were stopped on a fourth and short play at their own 36-yard line. On the third play of the ensuing drive, Tyler Copacia connected with a Justin Hemm for a 31-yard touchdown. Salliotte converted the PAT kick. Adrian's defense did not let the Olivet past midfield for the rest of the half and took a 14-0 lead at the break.

The Bulldogs scored on their first possession of the second half. Alex Krajniak capped the six play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Adrian took advantage of a Comet fumble late in the third quarter to take a 28-0 lead. On the first play after the fumble recovery, Danny Cobb rushed 10 yards into the end zone and Salliotte kicked his fourth PAT try of the game.

Olivet handed the ball to freshman quarterback Chance Nightingale (Mendon) on its next drive. The Comets drove to midfield but was forced to punt. The Comet defense then forced the Bulldogs to a three and out on their first drive of the final quarter.

Using its best field possession to start a drive, Olivet marched 50 yards on eight plays to score its touchdown. The final six yards were covered by Nightingale on a scamper into the end zone with 7:27 left in the game. He then threw to fellow freshman Zechariah Jenkins (Benton Harbor/Berrien Springs) for the two-point conversion. Adrian got the ball back and its offense chewed up the final 7:27 of the game.

Offensively, the Comets were limited to 149 yards. Nightingale had six carries for a team-high 16 yards. He was 4-of-4 passing for 45 yards. Senior Tony Phillips (Lansing/Waverly) completed six passes for 41 yards. Jenkins was the leading receiver with four catches for 30 yards.

Defensively, Olivet had eight tackles for loss and sacked Copacia three times. Freshman Noah Keefer (Fayette, Ohio/Archbold) recorded a game-high 14 total tackles, while freshman Nate Roberts (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central) had 11 stops. Freshman Ryheem Bonivel (Caledonia/East Kentwood) had 3.5 tackles for minus 16 yards and also forced a fumble.

The Bulldogs finished with 345 yards of offense. Dae'Von Robinson carried the ball 10 times for 69 yards. Copacia was 13-of-16 for 157 yards with one interception. Hemm caught five passes for 65 yards, while Mitch Gabriele had four for 54 yards. Defensively, Deontae Bridgeman led them with seven tackles.

The Comets return to the field next Saturday, Oct. 27, when they host defending MIAA champion Albion College at 1 p.m. Before the game, Olivet will recognize its nine seniors, who will be wearing the home red uniform for the final time.