Football team defeats Alma, 36-30, to stay undefeated in MIAA play

OLIVET, Mich. – Senior Braden Black was 17-of-21 passing for 279 yards and four touchdowns to help the Olivet College football team defeat Alma College, 36-30, this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. With the win, the Comets improve their overall record 7-1 and stay on top of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) standings with a 4-0 record.

THE BASICS          
Final score: Olivet 36, Alma 30
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Mich.
Records: Olivet 7-1 overall, 4-0 MIAA; Alma 5-3 overall, 2-2 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Scot defense held the Comets to a three and out on their opening possession. Alma came up big and blocked the punt and took over at the Olivet 24. On the third play of the drive, Dylan Zaborowski scampered five yards into the end zone to put the Scots ahead 7-0.
• Olivet had an immediate answer on its ensuing drive. Black capped a four-play drive with a 36-yard touchdown pass to senior Mitch Bailey to tie the game.
• On a drive spanning the end of the first quarter and start of the second stanza, the Comets took a 14-7 lead on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Black to sophomore Jacob Jodway.
• Sophomore Jaquan Short intercepted a Zaborowski pass in the end zone. After a holding penalty pushed the Comets back to their 17-yard line, Black unleashed an 83-yard touchdown pass to junior Kornelius Saxton to make the score 21-7.
• The Scots scored the final 17 points of the first half to take a 24-21 lead into the locker room.
• Neither team failed to put any points on the scoreboard in the third quarter.
• The Comets took a 28-24 lead on the first play of the fourth stanza on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Black to Bailey.
• Sophomore Brian Freiberger intercepted a pass at Olivet's 47 yard. The Comets then put together a nine-play scoring drive, ending with a 12-yard touchdown run by junior Jerome Washington. Olivet made the two-point conversion attempt on a rush by senior Ryan Anderson for a 36-24 lead.
• Alma cut its deficit to six points, 36-30, with three minutes left in the game.
• The Scots attempted an on-side kick, but the ball failed to go 10 yards and Olivet took over at the Scot 43-yard line. The Comets picked-up one first down and was able to run out the clock.

FOR THE COMETS

• For the game, Olivet had 24 first down and totaled 451 yards of offense.
• Senior Damorria Lilly carried the ball 29 times for 108 net yards.
• Washington had 15 rushes for 69 yards.
• Black completed 17-of-21 passes for 279 yards. 
• Saxton and Bailey both topped 100 yards receiving with 111 and 109, respectively.
• Defensively, junior Javon Walker and senior Chanler Carmer each had seven tackles.
• Senior Justin Madar recorded six tackles, including one for negative 11 yards. He also recovered a fumble.
• Freshman Douglas Pollard was four-of-four on PAT kicks.

FOR THE SCOTS

• Alma had 14 first downs and 373 yards of offense.
• Zaborowski was 14-of-29 for 270 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Caleb Reinhart had 13 carries for 62 yards.
• Danny Hugan II caught eight passes for 211 yards.

UP NEXT

• Olivet travels to play preseason MIAA favorite Adrian College next Saturday. Kickoff at Docking Stadium is 1 p.m.