Football team falls to Elmhurst (Ill.), 33-16

The Olivet College football team dropped a 33-16 decision to Elmhurst (Ill.) College this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex.

The Elmhurst (3-0) defense forced a turnover on each of the Comets' first three possessions. The Bluejays capitalized on the turnovers, an interception and two fumbles, and put 17 points on the scoreboard. The first three points came on a 30-yard field goal by Tyler Lomnicki. David Wilharm and Matt Smith each scored a touchdown from one and four yards out, respectively. Lomnicki made both PAT kicks.

Olivet (1-2) made the score 17-3 when sophomore Kyle Zabel (Sturgis) made a 37-yard field goal with 11:56 left before haltime. The score remained 17-3 at the break.

Elmhurst took the second half kickoff and marched down the field, scoring a touchdown in an unusual way. Mike LaFleur connected with Wilharm for a 29-yard gain. On the play, an Olivet defender jarred the ball loose and Elmhurst's Michael Cooley recovered the ball in the endzone for a touchdown.

Senior DeShaun Warren (Detroit/Denby) took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 95 yards for an Olivet touchdown. Zabel made the PAT kick to cut the Comets' deficit to 24-10. Lomnicki nailed a 30-yard field goal on the Bluejays' next possession. After three quarters, Elmhurst led 27-10.

In the fourth quarter, the Bluejays scored when Kyle Maple returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown. Olivet closed out the scoring on the last play of the game. Junior Robert White (Caledonia/South Christian) connected with freshman Patrick Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson) for a 20-yard scoring strike.

The Comets finished with a slight edge, 269-263, in total offense. Clasgens led the ground game with 15 carries for 90 yards. He also caught three passes for 45 yards. White and junior Calvin McNamara (Gaylord) combined to complete 11-of-27 passes for 166 yards. Sophomore Carl Mulder (Battle Creek/Lakeview) caught two passes for 42 yards.

Defensively, junior DeRan Thomas (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) and sophomore Michael Terranova (Lansing/Lansing Catholic Central) topped the team with nine tackles a piece. Junior Marc Miller (Sunfield/Lake Odessa) had seven stops, including a quarterback sack.

Elmhurst finished with 188 yards through the air and 75 on the ground. Smith was the leading ball carrier with 11 rushes for 53 yards. LaFleur completed 11-of-18 passes for 100 yards. Ryan Freund had 88 passing yards on four completions. Terence Yound led the receivers with seven catches for 93 yards. Ward Brady was credited with a team-high nine tackles.

Olivet begins Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Saturday, Sept. 30, by playing at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Kickoff from Raabe Stadium is noon CT.