Football team lets lead slip away in 21-15 loss to Albion

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College football team took a 15-14 lead late into the game before Albion College scored with 3:59 left to beat the Comets, 21-15, today on Senior Day at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Comets got on the scoreboard on their second possession of the second quarter. Freshman Tyre Alexander (Mason) capped a 4-play, 48-yard drive with a 23-yard run into the end zone. Senior Blake Iobe (Marshall) made the PAT kick. The scoring drive was set-up by a 22-yard interception return by freshman Beau Langs (Climax/Climax-Scotts).

The teams exchanged punts on the next two series. The Britons scored with 56 seconds left in the first half when Darrin Williams rushed four yards into the end zone. The PAT kick was good to make the 7-7 at the break.

Albion received the ball to start the second half, and scored on the fourth play, a 46-yard touchdown pass from Dominic Bona to Brian Spencer. The PAT kick split the uprights for a 14-7 Briton lead.

On its first possession of the third quarter, Olivet drove to the Albion 12 before turning the ball over on a fumble on a fourth down play. The Comet defense forced a three and out for the Britons, and their punt shanked the ball out of bounds at their own 39-yard line.

Olivet capitalized on the field position. After two first down pass completions put the Comets inside the 10, Alexander busted into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run with 3:11 left in the third quarter. Olivet elected to go for the lead and try a two-point conversion attempt, which was good as senior Tony Phillips (Lansing/Waverly) threw a completed pass to freshman Dominik Givens (Flint/Northwestern).

Both teams were forced to punt each of their next two possessions. Albion got the ball back with 7:22 left in the game. The Britons capped a 10-play, 93-yard scoring drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Bona to Cody Crawford. Jimmy Nieman made his third PAT kick for a 21-15 lead.

The Comets had one last legitimate chance to score a go-ahead touchdown. But on a pass completion, Olivet fumbled the ball and Albion recovered.

The Comets out-gained the Britons in total offense, 335-320. In his final home game, senior Edric Miller (Battle Creek/Central) had 10 carries for 90 yards. He also caught five passes for 64 yards. Phillips completed 14-of-21 passes for 159 yards. Freshman Kyle Bryson (Rives Junction/Leslie) also caught five passes for 70 yards.

Defensively, freshman Nate Roberts (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Central) topped the team with seven total tackles, with five solo stops. Langs and freshman Ryan Sersaw (Clare) each had six tackles. Sophomore Ryan Armstrong (Rives Junction/Leslie) recorded two quarterback sacks.

For Albion, Williams rushed the ball 30 times for 138 yards. Bona was 12-of-18 for 136 yards. Spencer had six receptions for 94 yards. Brett McCarty and Nathan Ross each collected 11 tackles to lead the defense.

Olivet will play its final two games of the 2012 season on the road, beginning next Saturday when it plays a 1 p.m. game at Trine (Ind.) University.