Football team defeats Kalamazoo, 20-14

The Olivet College football team defeated Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) foe Kalamazoo College, 20-14, this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

The Hornets (3-5, 2-3 MIAA) were forced to punt on their first possession. On the ensuing possession, the Comets (4-4, 3-2 MIAA) scored a touchdown when senior quarterback Chris Quackenbush (Waterford/Mott) connected with sophomore tight end Rod Sanders (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) from 19 yards out. Senior Justin Hunwick (Sterling Heights/Stevenson) made the PAT kick.

The score remained 7-0 after one quarter of play. Olivet tacked three points on a 27-yard field goal by Hunwick with 6:45 left in the first half. On Kalamazoo's next series, sophomore Nate Hughes (Marshall) intercepted a pass. The Comets took advantage of the turnover, as Quackenbush scampered into the endzone from four yards out. The Hornets scored a touchdown with four seconds left before halftime.

Hunwick nailed a 32-yard field goal with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter for a 20-7 Olivet lead. After stopping the Comets on fourth down, Kalamazoo scored on its second play from scrimmage with just under 10 minutes left in the game. The Hornets had one more possession but it resulted in a punt with 1:43 remaining.

The Comets outgained the Hornets, 421-233 in yards of total offense, including a 360-51 edge in rushing yards. Senior Travis Sleight (Battle Creek/Lakeview) led the Olivet ground game with 28 carries for 184 yards and now has 2,526 career rushing yards. Quackenbush completed five-of-11 passes for 61 yards. Sanders and junior Chris Smith (Dimondale/Holt) caught two passes each for 31 and 28 yards, respectively.

Olivet's defense recovered a fumble, recorded five quarterback sacks and forced four interceptions. For the game, freshman Joe Cleveland (St. Joseph) and sophomore Marc Miller (Sunfield/Lakewood) tallied eight tackles apiece. Senior Steve Critchlow (Marshall/Olivet) had two interceptions. Ryan Adams (Middleville/Thornapple Kellogg) and Ryan Hayes (Livonia/Franklin) each recorded two sacks.

Robbie Carollo carried the ball eight times for 51 yards and a touchdown. Tim Kaselitz completed 17-of-35 passes for 182 yards. Jeff Green was the leading receiver with eight catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Nick Toboy topped the defense with eight tackles.

Olivet is next in action Saturday, Nov. 5, when it travels to Milwaukee to play Wisconsin Lutheran College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST.