Football team loses to Trine, 35-14

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College football team suffered its first loss of the season, a 35-14 setback to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Trine (Ind.) University today at the Cutler Athletic Complex.

Final Score: Trine 35, Olivet 14
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Trine 4-2 overall, 2-0 MIAA; Olivet 4-1 overall, 1-1 MIAA

• Neither team was able to put any points on the scoreboard on its first two drives of the game.
• The only points scored in the first half were on Trine's first play of the second quarter when Alex Price threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Seth Vargo.
• On Olivet's first possession of the second half, the refs ruled a pass from the quarterback was backwards. Kyle Naif picked-up the loose ball and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown.
• A 55-yard return by sophomore Akeem Benjamin on the ensuing kickoff put the Comets at the Trine 37-yard line. After picking 15 total yards on the first two plays, senior Nyassinu Crowell, Jr. broke loose for a 22-yard touchdown run. Junior Samuel Roose's PAT kick was good.
• The Thunder responded with a 44-yard touchdown pass completion from Price to Kyran Pearson.
• Olivet put together a scoring drive which spanned the end of the third quarter and start of fourth quarter. The 11-play drive was capped by a 15-yard touchdown run by Crowell. Roose's PAT kick made the score 21-14 with 14:27 left in the game.
• Trine quickly answered with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
• The Comets did not get a first down on its next drive.
• The Thunder closed out the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown run on its next possession.

• Olivet totaled 19 first downs and 356 yards of offense compared to 17 first downs and 340 yards for Trine.
• Crowell had 15 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
• Sophomore Cortaveon Barnett rushed 12 times for 51 yards.
• Freshman Evan Ormsby completed 15-of-29 passes for 208 yards.
• Junior Jalen Broussard caught five passes for 98 yards.
• Senior tight end Seth Young snagged four passes for 51 yards.
• Senior Jeylin Rogers topped the defense with nine total tackles.
• Senior Anthony Merriman III had eight tackles.
• Senior Ta'Mar Heart-Wilkins finished with six stops, including 2.5 for minus six yards.
• Junior Brendan Sine had the second-longest punt in school history, with a 76-yard kick. The record is 79 yards by Pat Koepfer against Adrian (October 12, 1985).

• Kirby had 16 carries for 140 yards.
• Price threw for 102 yards on 8-of-14 passing and rushed 13 times for 68 yards.
• Brandon Kline and Adam Gutting each had two receptions for 34 and 8 yards, respectively.
• Keysean Amison, Angel Sanchez, Tyler Pollard and Kyle Naif tallied seven tackles apiece.

• The Comets host Hope College next Saturday, October 16. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.