Football team defeated by Adrian, 56-18

ADRIAN, Mich. – The Olivet College football team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play with a 56-18 loss to Adrian College tonight under the lights at Performance Stadium in Adrian.

Adrian jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead on a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown, 50-yard pass from Brandon Miller to Justin Hemm, and a 9-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Olivet got on the scoreboard for the first time with 11 minutes left in the second quarter. Making his first collegiate start, freshman quarterback Daniel Bolster (Dundee) threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to freshman Jon Beach (Edmore/Central Montcalm).

The Bulldogs answered with a 12-yard touchdown run by Danny Cobb. The Comets were stopped on their ensuing possession and Adrian took over at its own 42-yard line with 39 seconds left before halftime. As the first half clock hit zero, Miller connected with Isiah Cross for a 47-yard touchdown to make the score 35-6 at the break.

Neither team scored on its first possession of the third quarter. Taking over at the Olivet 40, the Bulldogs ran the ball seven straight plays, including a 5-yard scamper by Damon Brown for a touchdown. The Comets responded with an 11-play, 68-yard scoring drive, capped by a 4-yard pass from Bolster to senior tight end Austin Khoshnegah (Pinckney).

The teams traded fumbles on their next series, but Olivet's fumble was returned 80 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The Comets came back with a 10-play, 72-yard scoring drive. Bolster threw his third touchdown pass of the game, this one went 17 yards to senior co-captain James Williams (Battle Creek/Central).

On its first play from scrimmage, Miller completed a 57-yard pass to Shaun Hladki for the night's final touchdown. Logan Mitseff made his ninth PAT kick of the game.

Olivet finished the game with 278 yards of total offense to 405 yards for the Bulldogs. Junior Edric Miller (Battle Creek/Central) led the ground game with 17 carries for 68 yards. Bolster completed 16-of-31 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Williams was the leading receiver with seven catches for 114 yards. Khoshnegah caught five passes for 38 yards.

Defensively, freshman Ryan Armstrong (Rives Junction/Leslie) led the team with nine total tackles, including one for loss yards. Freshman Jake Olson (Jackson/Napoleon) was next with eight stops. Sophomore Cody Boughton (Marshall) and senior Ryan Reurink (Wayland/Wayland Union) each recorded seven tackles.

For Adrian, Brown rushed the ball 21 times for 138 yards. Miller completed five passes for 170 yards. Mitch Gabriele had two receptions for 16 yards, while the other three completions were thrown for touchdowns. Hunter Juntunen led the defense with 12 tackles, with six assisted and six solo stops.

Olivet will celebrate Homecoming next Saturday, Oct. 15, when Kalamazoo College visits the Cutler Athletic Complex for a 2 p.m. contest.