Football team loses to Trine, 49-21

ANGOLA, Ind. – The Olivet College football team lost 49-21 to Trine (Ind.) University this afternoon at Fred Zollner Stadium in Angola, Indiana.

Olivet got the ball to start the game and drove down to the Trine 17 before turning the ball over on downs. The Thunder marched 78 yards on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Austin Shoemaker and good PAT kick by Tyler Keck.

Freshman Tyre Alexander (Mason) returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards. A penalty brought the ball back to the Trine 37. After a one-yard gain on first down and 19-yard pass completion, Alexander ran 17 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Senior Blake Iobe (Marshall) converted the PAT kick to tie the game at 7-7.

Both teams were forced to punt on their next possessions. The Thunder then used a 13-play, 93-yard drive to take a 14-7 lead, with Shoemaker scoring from three yards out. On Olivet's next series, the snap on fourth down sailed over the punter's head and Blaek Combs recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to make the score 21-7 at halftime.

Trine stretched its lead to 28-7 on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Hargraves to JaVontae Hence on the second play of the second half. On the Comets' first series of the third quarter, they went 68 yards to score a touchdown. Alexander completed the drive with a one-yard plunge into the end zone.

The Thunder answered right back with a 12-yard touchdown run to make the score 35-14. After forcing Olivet to a three and out, Trine got the ball back and needed only seven plays to score on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Hargraves to Shoemaker.

The Thunder scored their final touchdown in the fourth quarter. Combs blocked the Comets' punt, and Charles Dreessen picked up the loose ball and returned it 24 yards for the score. Olivet scored on its last possession of the game on a four-yard touchdown run by Alexander.

The Comets finished the game with 320 yards of total offense, including 216 on the ground. Alexander had 17 carries for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Chance Nightingale (Colon/Mendon) rushed 12 times for 79 yards, while senior Edric Miller (Battle Creek/Central) had 15 rushes for 70 yards. Senior Tony Philips (Lansing/Waverly) completed 8-of-12 passes for 80 yards. Freshman Curtis French (Carleton/Airport) led the defense with nine total tackles.

Trine had a near balanced offensive attack, with 174 yards on the ground and 176 yards through the air. Shoemaker carried the ball 15 times for 61 yards. Hargraves was 10-of-12 for his 176 yards. Hence caught three passes for 101 yards. Tyler Guzy and Caleb Nitz each recorded nine tackles.

Olivet will end its season next Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at Kalamazoo College.