Football team spoils Adrian's homecoming, 14-13

The Olivet College football team defeated Adrian College, 14-13, before 2,294 fans tonight at the Multi-Sport Performance Stadium in Adrian. With the win, the Comets improve to 2-0 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and spoil the Bulldogs' homecoming.

Adrian (4-1, 1-1 MIAA) led 3-0 at halftime behind a 31-yard field by Justin Warner with 20 seconds left in the opening quarter. The Bulldogs took a 10-0 lead on its first series of the second half when Mike McGee tossed a 34-yard touchdown pass to Desmond Upshaw.

Sophomore Willie Jones (Detroit/River Rouge) returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. Junior Kyle Zabel (Sturgis) nailed the PAT kick to cut the Comet deficit to three points, 10-7, with 12:55 left in the third quarter. Warner kicked a 23-yard field to push the Bulldogs lead back to six points with just over four minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Olivet (2-3, 2-0 MIAA) tied the game at 13-13 with 1:51 left in the game when senior Rob White (Caledonia/South Christian) connected with senior Chris Smith (Dimondale/Holt) for a 23-yard touchdown. Zabel split the uprights on the PAT kick and the Comets led 14-13.

The Bulldogs returned the kickoff 50 yards and into Olivet territory. On third down from the Olivet 33, sophomore Alex Hill (Berrien Springs) intercepted a McGee pass to seal the Comets' victory.

For the game, Olivet had 266 yards of total offense to 317 for Adrian. Sophomore Pat Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson) carried the ball 22 times for 69 yards. White completed 18-of-32 passes for 179 yards. Junior Carl Mulder (Battle Creek/Lakeview) was the leading receiver with five catches for 55 yards.

The Comet defense held the Bulldogs to minus 1 yards rushing and 318 through the air. Junior Hakeem Yakubu (Kalamazoo/Central) led the defense with 12 tackles. Senior Nate Hughes (Marshall) was next with eight tackles. Hill had seven tackles, including six solo stops. On special teams, freshman Ryan Patten (Charlotte) punted the ball four times for a 48.5 average.

For Adrian, Troy Niblock had 15 carries for 28 yards. McGee threw for 304 yards on 26-of-42 passing. Upshaw was his favorite receiver with seven catches for 131 yards. Kyle Dunaj recorded a game-high 13 tackles, while Chris Elsey had nine.

Olivet is back in action next Saturday, Oct. 13, when it hosts Albion College. Kickoff from the Cutler Athletic Complex is 1 p.m.