Football team steamrolls Earlham, 74-13

OLIVET, Mich. – Eleven different players scored a touchdown, as the Olivet College football team defeated Earlham (Ind.) College, 74-13, today in its season-opener at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The 74 points scored by the Comets are the third-most for them in a game. Olivet previously scored 78 twice in 1891 and 2004.

On the Quakers' first possession, the Comets blocked their punt. Three plays later, sophomore Christopher Jones ran the ball into the end zone from two yards out. After a three-and-out for Earlham, Olivet used a 9-play, 48-yard drive to extend its lead to 13-0. Junior Braden Black capped the scoring drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to senior Kyle Bryson.

The Comets pushed their lead to 19-0 when Black threw his second touchdown of the game, this one to junior Mitchell Bailey from 18 yards out with eight seconds left in the opening quarter.

Olivet then scored on its first series of the second quarter. Junior Damorria Lilly rushed one yard for the touchdown. Bryson blocked his second Quaker punt of the game, and one this one, senior Thomas Gary-Homes scooped up the ball at the Olivet-5 and returned it for a touchdown.

The Comets forced another three-and-out for Earlham. Olivet scored on its ensuing drive as Black rushed into the end zone from five yards out, and they led 40-0.

The Quakers put together a 9-play, 81-yard drive for their first touchdown with 36 seconds left before halftime. Senior Jason Barbosa returned the kickoff 84 yards down the left side for a touchdown to make the 46-17 at halftime. The 46 points for Olivet were the most in a first half since Sept. 29, 2007, when it scored 55 against Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The Comets received the ball to start the second half. Olivet needed 11 plays to cover 65 yards to score another touchdown when freshman quarterback Lane Porter connected with sophomore Ryan Anderson from five yards out.

Olivet took advantage of a Quaker turnover to score its next touchdown, a three-yard run by sophomore Nolan Briggs. That made the score 60-7 after three quarters of play.

The Comets scored a touchdown on a drive, which spanned the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth quarter. Freshman Andre Houston broke tackles along the way to score from 19 yards out.

Earlham tallied its second touchdown of the game to make the score 67-13. Olivet found the end zone for the final time on its next drive when Porter tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to freshman Jaquan Short.

For the game, the Comets totaled 27 first downs and 500 yards of offense compared to nine first downs and 179 yards for the Quakers. Olivet rushed for 347 yards to a minus 22 for Earlham.

Lilly led the Comets' ground game with 12 carries for 79 yards, while sophomore Jerome Washington had 14 rushes for 67 yards. Playing in only the first half, Black was 9-of-11 for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey caught four passes for 47 yards.

Senior Trevor Garbow led the defense, which had 12 tackles for loss, with five total tackles. Sophomore Conner Sonnevil made 7-of-8 PAT kicks.

For Earlham, Sam Panton had six carries for six yards. Two quarterbacks combined to complete 15-of-30 passes for 201 yards. Jalen Kenner was the leading receiver with seven receptions for 72 yards. Adam Jolly and Lajay Kelly topped the defense with 11 tackles apiece.

The Comets make the trip to Kenosha, Wis., next Saturday, Sept. 12, to play Carthage College. The game is a part of the MIAA-CCIW Challenge.