Football: Olivet defeats Wilmington, 41-24, in season-opener

OLIVET, Mich. – Junior Braden Black threw for 349 yards, sophomore Damorria Lilly ran for 133 yards and junior Jason Barbosa had 186 receiving yards to lead the Olivet College football team to a 41-24 win over Wilmington (Ohio) College today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

The Comets jumped out to a 21-0 lead by virtue of scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game. Lilly capped a 7-play, 90-yard opening drive with a 9-yard run into the end zone. Following a Quaker turnover, Black completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior Kyle Bryson to end a 14-play, 95-yard drive.

Wilmington missed a 42-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter. Olivet drove the field and Black hooked-up with Bryson from 10 yards for another touchdown in the 6-play, 75-yard drive. Senior Patrick Lamp converted all three PAT kicks.

The Quakers put their first six points on the scoreboard with 8:07 left before halftime when Austin Jarbo threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Justin Lee. After the Comet defense stopped Wilmington on fourth down, the offense needed only five plays to score another touchdown. Black completed a 14-yard pass to Bryson for the score.

In the final seconds of the first half, Jarbo connected with Lee from 11 yards out for a touchdown. The two-point conversion pass attempt failed, and Olivet led 28-12 at halftime.

The Comets scored on their first possession of the second half. The 9-play, 80-yard drive was capped by 1-yard quarterback sneak into the end zone by Black. The Quakers responded on their next drive with a 4-yard touchdown run by Chase Manica.

Olivet quickly answered on its ensuing possession. On the second play from scrimmage, Lilly broke loose and scored from 40 yards out. The PAT kick try by Lamp was good, and the Comets led 41-18.

Wilmington closed the scoring midway through the final quarter when Jarbo tossed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Kal Butts. The drive was set-up by an 86-yard punt return by Tyrik Burns.

For the game, the Comets rolled up 27 first downs and 564 yards of offense. Lilly needed 17 carries to gain his 133 yards. Also in the back field, sophomore Christopher Jones rushed for 53 yards. Black completed 25-of-36 passes for his 349 yards. Barbosa caught nine passes for 186 yards. Bryson had five receptions for 66 yards.

Defensively, sophomore Javon Moore and senior Ryan Armstrong each had eight total tackles. Armstrong recorded seven solo stops, with two for loss yardage.

The Quakers had 19 first downs and 381 yards of offense. Jarbo threw for 192 yards, while running for a team-high 150 yards. Lee was the leading receiver with five catches for 96 yards. Nick Williams topped the defense with 13 total tackles.

Olivet stays home and will face Elmhurst (Ill.) College next Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. The game is part of the first-ever MIAA-CCIW Challenge, where each MIAA school is hosting a school from the CCIW.