Football team falls to Alma, 38-25

The Olivet College football team fell to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Alma College, 38-25, this afternoon at Bahlke Field in Alma. With the loss, the Comets slip into a tie for second-place in the league standings with Alma.

The Scots (4-4, 4-1 MIAA) recovered a Comet fumble on the opening kickoff. From there, Alma capped a 20-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Mackenzie McGrady to Jeremy Stephens. Dan Seals made the PAT kick.

On its ensuing possession, Olivet junior Kyle Zabel (Sturgis) nailed a 37-yard field goal with 9:16 left in the first quarter. The Scots then scored 28 unanswered points to take a 35-3 lead after three quarters of play.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, sophomore Willie Jones (Detroit/River Rouge) scampered into the end zone from a yard out to cut the Comet deficit to 35-9. A 33-yard field goal by Seals put the Scots up 29 points, 38-9.

Olivet closed the scoring with two touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions. The first touchdown was a 16-yard run by sophomore Pat Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson). Senior Chris Smith (Dimondale/Holt) caught the two-point conversion pass from senior Rob White (Caledonia/ South Christian).

White then connected with Smith for a 14-yard touchdown reception with 27 seconds left on the clock. White's two-point conversion pass to senior Rod Sanders (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) was good.

The Comets finished the game with 370 yards of total offense. Jones led the ground game with nine rushes for 68 yards. White completed 27-of-41 passes for 277 yards. Smith caught a team-high seven passes for 82 yards. Senior Ryan Boone (Muskegon/Muskegon Catholic Central) had a team-leading 84 receiving yards on six catches.

Junior Michael Terranova (Lansing/Lansing Catholic Central) led the Comet defense with 10 total tackles, including eight solo stops. Senior DeRan Thomas (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) had eight total tackles.

The Scots had 457 yards of offense, including Kyle Ryan with 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. McGrady carried the ball 14 times for 77 yards. He was 24-of-33 for 254 yards and three touchdowns. Joe Cline was the leading receiver with 12 receptions for 161 yards. Zach Comer, Brian Lenneman and Noah Thormeier each had six tackles.

Olivet looks to rebound from the loss next Saturday, Nov. 3, when it travels to play MIAA-leader Hope College. Kickoff from Holland Community Stadium is 1 p.m.