Football team opens season with 55-14 victory over Kalamazoo

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College football team piled up 505 yards of offense and the defense allowed only 230 yards, as the Comets won 55-14 over Kalamazoo College this afternoon in its season-opener at the Cutler Athletic Complex. Olivet played a football game for the first time since November 16, 2019, a span of 491 days.

Final Score: Olivet 55, Kalamazoo 14
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Olivet 1-0 overall, Kalamazoo 0-1 overall

• The Hornets scored a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
• Olivet quickly answered when senior Kaleb Jarrett threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to freshman Deonte Higgins on its first play of the ensuing drive.
• The Comet defense stopped another Kalamazoo drive when junior Anthony Merriman III intercepted the quarterback. Taking over at K-46, Olivet needed just four plays to score another touchdown, as Higgins hauled in 20-yard pass from Jarrett.
• The Comets scored a touchdown on each of their three possessions in the second quarter to lead 34-7 at halftime. The first was a 3-yard quarterback sneak by Jarrett. The second was a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett to freshman Akeem Benjamin. The third was a 15-yard touchdown reception by sophomore Jalen Broussard from Jarrett.
• Olivet added to it lead in the third quarter on one- and six-yard touchdown runs by freshman Jeremiah Sterling.
• The Hornets scored their final touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard pass play.
• The Comets capped the scoring when freshman Cortaveon Barnett broke loose for a 36-yard touchdown run.

• Olivet's 505 yards consisted of 183 yards on the ground and 322 through the air.
• Jarrett completed 13-of-19 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns.
• Ten players caught a pass. Higgins had three catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
• Seven players recorded at least one carry. Barnett rushed for a team-best 57 yards.
• Sophomore Nyassinu Crowell, Jr. had seven rushes for 57 yards.
• Sophomore Samuel Roose was 7-of-8 on PAT kicks.
• Freshman Damani Carter topped the defense with five solo tackles.
• Merriman III and senior Jeylin Rogers each tallied four tackles.
• Senior Ta'Mar Heart-Wilkins collected three tackles for loss, including two quarterback sacks for minus 15 yards. One of the sacks resulted in a forced fumble and recovery.

• Brendan Gausselin was 16-of-31 for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
• Wilson hauled in six passes for 81 yards.
• Jon Brunette had eight carries for 37 yards to go along with four receptions for 22 yards.
• Jacob Chantres led the defense with eight tackles.

• The Comets host preseason MIAA favorite Albion College Saturday, March 27. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.