Olivet starts MIAA play with 24-14 loss at Adrian

Box Score
Photo by Cassie Sabatella (www.sabbyshots.com)
Photo by Cassie Sabatella (www.sabbyshots.com)
September 28, 2024

ADRIAN, Mich. – The University of Olivet football team opened Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play with a 24-14 loss against Adrian College this afternoon at Docking Stadium.

THE BASICS

  • Final Score: Adrian 24, Olivet 14
  • Location: Docking Stadium; Adrian, Michigan
  • Records: Olivet 1-3 overall, 0-1 MIAA; Adrian 4-0 overall, 1-0 MIAA

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • Neither team was able to put points on the scoreboard in the opening quarter.
  • The Bulldogs pinned the Comets down at their own 2-yard line to start their first possession of the second quarter. On the 11th play of the drive, freshman Tronice Hammond rushed two yards into the end zone. Senior Tristan McElhinney made the PAT kick to make the score 7-0 with 3:24 left until halftime.
  • A 55-yard return and Comet penalty on the kickoff gave the ball to Adrian at the Olivet 21-yard line. Six plays later, the Bulldogs tied the score when Jake Kelbert completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Brumley.
  • The score stayed 7-7 at halftime.
  • The Comets received the ball to start the second half but were forced to punt the ball back to Adrian.
  • On the Bulldogs' first play, freshman Charlie Pollard intercepted a Kelbert pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. McElhinney's PAT kick made the score 14-7 with 13:19 remaining in the third quarter.
  • Adrian answered with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kelbert to Jalen Wallace on its ensuing drive to level the score at 14-14.
  • A bad snap over the Olivet punter's head gave the ball to Adrian at the Comet 5-yard line. Shondel Hardnett scored on the first play of the Bulldog drive to make the score 21-14.
  • In the fourth quarter, Olivet was able to move the ball down to the Adrian 8-yard line. The drive ended on an interception in the end zone.
  • The Bulldogs capped the scoring with 37-yard field goal by Jack Boike.

FOR THE COMETS

  • Olivet outgained Adrian in total offense – 278 yards to 200 yards.
  • Junior Dontal Wright had 23 carries for 81 yards.
  • Junior Thomas Foust completed 2-of-4 passes for 76 yards and rushed nine times for 45 yards.
  • Senior Isaac Rowe and junior Yassin Khachab each recorded seven tackles to lead the defense.

UP NEXT

  • The Comets host Kalamazoo College for their Homecoming game next Saturday, October 5. Kickoff at the Cutler Athletic Complex is set for 2 p.m.