Football team falls to Ohio Wesleyan, 21-7

The Olivet College football team fell to non-conference foe Ohio Wesleyan University, 21-7, today at Selby Field in Delaware, Ohio.

Ohio Wesleyan (2-1) scored the first touchdown of the game at the 10:47 mark of the first quarterback Ryan Sir Louis completed six-yard pass to Nick Rice. On their next series, the Battling Bishops added another touchdown on a one-yard scamper. The Comets (0-2) got on the scoreboard as time expired in the first quarter. A 10-play, 64-yard drive was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by junior Drew Nielsen (Belding). Senior Justin Hunwick (Sterling Heights/Stevenson) converted the PAT kick.

There was no scoring in the second and third quarters. An Ohio Wesleyan drive, which spanned the third and fourth quarters, resulted in a touchdown. Sir Louis connected with Rice for an eight-yard touchdown reception.

For the game, the Bishops had a 387-149 advantage in total offense, including a 202-60 edge in rushing yards. Sir Louis carried the ball 14 times for 76 yards. He also completed 14-of-23 passes for 185 yards. Rice caught four passes for 50 yards. Cisco Clervoix and Steve Groene each had eight tackles.

Nielsen led the Olivet ground game with 42 yards, followed by freshman Lonnie Jones (Niles) with 20. Junior quarterback Marcus Robinson (Albion) completed five-of-11 passes for 59 yards while junior Leon Hilaski (Dorr/Wayland Union) passed for 30 yards.

Defensively, sophomore DeRan Thomas (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) and sophomore Nathan Hughes (Marshall) recorded 10 tackles apiece. Thomas also forced and recovered a fumble. Sophomore Marc Miller (Sunfield/Lake Odessa) had nine stops. Junior Cliff Sims (Reed City) finished with seven tackles to go along with an interception and tackle for minus eight yards.

Olivet is in action next Saturday, Sept. 24, when it travels to play Manchester (Ind.) College. Kickoff from Carl W. Burt Memorial Stadium is 2:30 p.m. EDT.