Football team opens MIAA play with 62-2 win against Wisconsin Lutheran

The Olivet College football team took a 55-2 halftime lead en route to a 62-2 win against Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) rival Wisconsin Lutheran College today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. The 62 points scored for the Comets is the most since they had 78 against Ohio Wesleyan University Sept. 18, 2004. In addition, the last time Olivet scored more than 62 points against a MIAA opponent was in 1917 against Adrian College. Furthermore, the 55 first-half points is a school record for points in one half.

In the first half, Olivet (1-3, 1-0 MIAA) scored a touchdown on every drive except its first one. The Comets got the ball on six-of-eight drives off Warrior turnovers -- four interceptions and two fumbles.

On WLC's first drive, junior Hakeem Yakubu (Kalamazoo/Central) forced a fumble that was recovered by junior Michael Terranova (Lansing/Lansing Catholic). Sophomore Willie Jones (Detroit/River Rouge) capped the eight-play, 46-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Sophomore Joel Fox (Charlotte) made the PAT kick. The Warriors' fumbled the ball away on their next drive, as senior Marc Miller (Sunfield/Lake Odessa) forced the fumble and it was recovered by junior Marvin Wheeler (Southgate/Romulus). The Comets scored on the fourth play of the drive when senior Rob White (Caledonia/South Christian) connected with senior Chris Smith (Dimondale/Holt) for a 23-yard touchdown strike. The PAT kick was blocked.

On WLC's ensuing possession, junior Alex Hill (Berrien Springs) intercepted a T.J. Bodnar pass and returned it 39 yards to the WLC 11. Sophomore Pat Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson) carried the ball twice, including the second time for eight yards into the endzone. Fox made the PAT kick to give the Comets a 20-0 lead with 2:26 left in the first quarter.

The Warriors continued to struggle on offense, as Hill intercepted another pass and returned the ball 28 yards. Olivet needed eight plays to score a toucdown, as Clasgens found the endzone from seven yards out. White threw to junior Sean Misko (Casaco/Richmond) for a successful two-point conversion and the Comets led 28-0 after one quarter.

On its first possession of the quarter, Olivet scored after getting the ball back on a punt. Jones finished a 6-play, 56-yard drive with a four-yard scamper into the endzone. Fox made the PAT kick. WLC's next drive stalled when senior Nate Hughes (Marshall) intercepted a pass and returned it 19 yards to the Warrior 39. The Comets scored on a five-yard touchdown run by Clasgens.

Olivet's defense stopped another WLC drive on an interception by junior James Abbott (Kalamazoo/Central). On the fourth play of the Comets, White hooked-up with Smith for a 49-yard touchdown strike. A short 10-yard Warrior punt set-up Olivet's final scoring drive of the opening half. On the sixth rushing play of the drive, Jones scored a four-yard touchdown. The PAT kick was blocked and returned by Jake Schweder for the defensive PAT.

There was no scoring in the third quarter. In the final quarter, the WLC quarterback fumbled the ball, which was forced by Miller. Junior Britt Paige (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) scooped up the loose ball and returned it 59 yards to the Warrior 6. Jones completed the short drive with a three-yard touchdown run, and Fox made the PAT kick.

For the game, Olivet out-gained WLC in yards of total offense, 509-221, including a 258-15 advantage in rushing yards. Clasgens led the Comet ground game with 16 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns. Jones had nine carries, including four for a touchdown. White was nearly perfect, completing 11-of-13 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Smith had four receptions for 135 yards. Defensively, Miller and Yakukbu each had eight tackles. Miller had four tackles for minus 13 yards, including two quarterback sacks. Hill had three interceptions, which ties the Olivet single-game record.

For the Warriors, Josh McCormick had nine carries for 32 yards. Bodnar and McCormick combined to complete 19-of-43 passes for 206 yards and five interceptions. Bodnar was 11-of-13 for 100 yards, while McCormick was 8-of-12 for 106 yards. Ryan Adamovich was the top receiver with six receptions for 54 yards. Colin Makepeace topped the defense with nine tackles.

The Comets will go in search of their second MIAA win next Saturday, Oct. 6, at Adrian College. Kickoff from the Multi-sport Performance Stadium in Adrian is 7 p.m.