Football team opens MIAA play with 19-6 win at Wisconsin Lutheran

The Olivet College football team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play today with a 19-6 win against Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) today at Raabe Stadium in Milwaukee.

Olivet (2-2, 1-0 MIAA) scored its first touchdown with four seconds left in the first quarter. A 14-play, 90-yard drive was capped off when junior Robert White (Caledonia/South Christian) connected with sophomore Carl Mulder (Battle Creek/Lakeview) from nine yards out. Freshman Brian Chandler (Livonia/ Stevenson) made the PAT kick.

The Warriors (0-4, 0-1 MIAA) were stopped on fourth down at their own 43-yard line in the second quarter. The Comets took advantage of the short field to score a touchdown. After four straight rushing plays, White found Mulder in the endzone for a 31-yard touchdown completion. Olivet held a 13-0 lead at halftime.

Olivet scored on its first possession of the second half. Freshman Patrick Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson) finished the 10-play, 71-yard drive with a two-yard scamper into the endzone. The two-point conversion failed. WLC got on the scoreboard with 8:21 remaining in the game when T.J. Bodnar tossed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Matt Kehl.

For the game, the Comets outgained the Warriors, 504-165, in total offense. On the ground, Clasgens had 40 carries for 248 yards. White completed 11-of-14 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Mulder was the leading receiver with eight catches for 129 yards. Defensively, senior Nate Hughes (Marshall) and freshman Hakeem Yakubu (Kalamazoo/Central) each recorded five tackles. Senior Ken Lackscheide (Vermontville/Maple Valley) averaged 46.8 yards on four punts.

For WLC, Kehl had 20 carries for 61 yards. Bodnar passed for 111 yards on eight completions. Eric Treske caught four passes for 71 yards. Defensively, Mike Olsen and Jim Voss had 10 tackles a piece.

The Comets will celebrate its Homecoming next Saturday, Oct. 7, by hosting Adrian College. Kickoff from the Cutler Athletic Complex is 6 p.m.