Football: Olivet stings Kalamazoo, 42-14, in MIAA-opener

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The University of Olivet football team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a 42-14 victory over Kalamazoo College this afternoon at Angell Field.

• Final Score: Olivet 42, Kalamazoo 14
• Location: Angell Field; Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 3-2 overall, 1-0 MIAA; Kalamazoo 3-2 overall, 0-2 MIAA

• Kalamazoo got the ball to start the game. On the Hornets' fourth play, junior Jeramey King intercepted a pass from Josh Nichols at the Olivet 42-yard line.
• On the Comets' second play from scrimmage, sophomore Dontal Wright rushed 56 yards for a touchdown. Freshman Wesley Franco's PAT kick split the uprights, and Olivet led 7-0 only 70 seconds into the game.
• Kalamazoo answered with a touchdown on its ensuing drive when Nichols threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Jonah Spates. The PAT kick was good to level the score at 7-7 with 10:54 left in the opening quarter.
• Olivet was forced to punt on its next series before the Hornets turned the ball over on downs at the Comet 14-yard line.
• Olivet put together an 8-play, 86-yard scoring drive, capped by a 23-yard touchdown run by sophomore Samuel Kunnuji.
• The Comets scored two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 28-7 halftime lead. The first touchdown was a 13-yard run by sophomore quarterback Thomas Foust to end a 10-play, 80-yard drive. The second touchdown was a 41-yard pass from Foust to Wright to complete a 4-play, 65-yard drive.
• Olivet received the ball to start the second half. On the 12th play of the drive, Foust connected with senior SirQuarius Ball for a 4-yard touchdown pass.
• The Comets capped their scoring in the fourth stanza when Foust threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Nate Briggs.
• The Hornets' final touchdown was a 45-yard pass play from Nichols to Tyler Houle.

• Olivet finished game with 538 yards – 242 through the air and 296 on the ground.
• Foust completed 13-of-16 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 14 carries for 79 yards.
• Ball caught five passes for 108 yards.
• Kunnuji and Wright each rushed for 89 yards on 12 and 11 carries, respectively.
• Franco was a perfect 6-for-6 on PAT kicks and averaged 53.6 yards on seven kickoffs.
• King topped the defense with 11 total tackles.
• Freshman James Banks tallied eight tackles.
• Senior Dennis Simmons recorded seven tackles, including two quarterback sacks for minus 10 yards.

• Olivet travels to play Trine (Ind.) University next Saturday, October 14, at 1 p.m.