Football team comes up short against Alma, 28-25

The Olivet College football team's rally against Alma College came up short, as the Scots pulled out a 28-25 win today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

Offensively, Olivet out-gained Alma in total offense by six yards, 363-357. On the ground, junior Pat Clasgens (Livonia/Stevenson) carried the ball 19 times for 100 yards. Freshman Mike Martin (Caledonia/Wayland) had eight rushes for 35 yards with two touchdowns and caught three passes for 48 yards. Making his first collegiate start, freshman quarterback Nick McCleary (Battle Creek/ Harper Creek) completed 15-of-25 passes for 179 yards.

Senior Carl Mulder (Battle Creek/Lakeview) was the leading receiver with five catches for 57 yards. Senior tight end Nathaniel Woodson (Battle Creek/Lakeview) had three receptions for 42 yards.

Defensively, junior Hakeem Yakubu (Kalamazoo/Central) was credited with 10 tackles, including a quarterback sack for minus 18 yards. Senior Joe Cleveland (St. Joseph) had nine total tackles, including eight solo. On special teams, junior Ryan Patten (Charlotte) punted the ball four times for 178 yards, a 44.5 average.

For Alma, Mackenzie McGrady threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-36 passing and rushed for 49 yards and a score. Tyler Periard topped the Scots with 16 carries for 91 yards. Andrew Schaar caught six passes for 73 yards. Zach Comer led the defense with 11 tackles.

After a scoreless first quarter, Olivet got on the scoreboard on the second play of the second quarter. Martin scampered 13 yards into the end zone and senior Kyle Zabel (Sturgis) converted the PAT kick for a 7-0 lead. Alma tied the game at 7-7 on its next possession.

The Comets grabbed the lead back at 10-7 when Zabel made a 40-yard field goal into the wind. The Scots took a 14-10 lead with 4:02 left before halftime. Alma extended its lead to 21-10 with a touchdown on its first possession of the second half.

On an 8-play, 43-yard drive spanning the end of the third quarter and first 46 seconds of the fourth quarter, Olivet cut its deficit down to four points, 21-17, when junior fullback Sean Misko (Casco/Richmond) rumbled five yards into the end zone. Zabel nailed the PAT kick.

The Comet defense forced a three and out for the Scots on their next series. Olivet got the ball back and an interception on a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage at the Comet 21-yard line. Using a short field, Alma took a 28-17 lead.

Undaunted, Olivet came right back with a 7-play, 73-yard scoring drive. After keeping the drive alive with a 44-yard catch and run, Martin capped the drive with a one-yard plunge. McCleary tossed to Woodson for a successful two-point conversion attempt.

Another three and out for the Scots handed the football back to the Comets with 6:36 remaining in regulation. Olivet got down to the Alma 16 before an interception in the end zone ended its chance for either the go-ahead touchdown or game-tying field goal try.

The Comets will look to bounce back next Saturday when they travel to play winless Hope College. Kickoff from Holland Municipal Stadium is 1 p.m.