Football team tied for fourth in MIAA preseason poll
The Olivet College football team was picked in a tie for fourth-place in the 2019 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason coaches’ poll.
FREELAND, Mich. -- The Olivet College football team was picked in a tie for fourth-place in the 2019 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) preseason coaches' poll.
Hope College received four first-place votes and 11 points to be chosen as the preseason favorite. Albion College and Trine (Ind.) University each earned two first-place votes to be picked in a tie for second-place with 14 points. The Comets and Adrian College tied for fourth with 30 points apiece. Kalamazoo College was sixth (36 points), followed by Alma College in seventh (40 points) and Finlandia University in eighth (49 points).
Under the direction of third-year head coach Dan Musielewicz, the Comets welcome back approximately 60 players from the 2018 team, which finished the season with a 6-4 overall record and was part of a three-way tie for third-place in the MIAA standings with a 4-3 mark.
Returning to the defense is junior two-time All-MIAA defensive back John Adams III. In his first two seasons at Olivet, he has 64 total tackles, including 45 solo stops, to go along with seven interceptions. Additional returning players on defense are seniors Donyale Griffin, Miguel Manion, Devin Pascavage, Jamie Shaffer and Coleton Swims.
On offense, Olivet welcomes back senior linemen Jarod Bush and Daniel Waber who helped the Comets average nearly 450 yards per game last season. Preseason camp will help determine the starting quarterback and skill positions.
On special teams, sophomore punter Tyrain Connor is back. He averaged 38.2 yards on 29 punts last year. Adams III is also a return specialist.
The Comets open the 2019 season Saturday, Sept. 7, when it travels to play Wilmington (Ohio) University. Kickoff on Townsend Field inside Williams Stadium is 7 p.m. It will be the eighth all-time meeting between Olivet and the Quakers. The teams last met on Sept. 6, 2014, and the Comets won, 41-24.
The home-opener is Sept. 21, when it welcomes the Benedictine (Ill.) University Eagles to the Cutler Athletic Complex for a 3 p.m. game. The Comets open MIAA play Saturday, Oct. 5, with a 1 p.m. game at Finlandia. Olivet's Homecoming game is a week later, Oct. 12, against Adrian at 2 p.m.
