UOlivet falls to Bluffton, 37-28

OLIVET, Mich. – The University of Olivet football team lost 37-28 to Bluffton (Ohio) University this afternoon at the Cutler Athletic Complex.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Bluffton 37, Olivet 28
• Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Michigan
• Records: Olivet 0-3 overall, Bluffton 2-1 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Olivet received the opening kickoff and needed just plays to score a touchdown. Freshman Jaylan Johnson rushed the final 14 yards into the end zone for the score.
• Bluffton answered with a touchdown on its first possession of the game.
• The Comets took the lead back on their ensuing drive. Sophomore quarterback Daniel Avila threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Noah Bates with 1:32 left in the first quarter.
• The Beavers leveled the score around the midpoint of the second quarter.
• Bluffton then recovered a fumble and returned it seven yards for a touchdown just 22 seconds later.
• Olivet used an eight-play drive to tie the game, 21-21. Junior Romell Frank capped the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown.
• The score stayed 21-21 at halftime.
• The Beavers marched down the field on their first possession of the second half and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a fourth and one play from the seven-yard line.
• On their first drive of the second half, the Comets turned the ball over on downs. Bluffton took over at its own 18-yard line. The Beavers stretched their advantage to 10 points, 31-21, on a 42-yard field goal.
• In a possession spanning the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth quarter, Olivet trimmed its deficit down to three points when Avila completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end Julian Toscano.
• Bluffton sealed its win with a 14-play scoring drive, capped by a 2-ayrd touchdown run.

FOR THE COMETS

• Olivet finished the game with 21 first down and 265 yards of total offense to 20 first down 350 yards for the Beavers.
• Johnson topped the ground game with 12 carries for 86 yards.
• Avila threw 168 yards on 14-of-30 passing.
• Bates caught six passes for 76 yards.
• Sophomore Riley Laird led the defense with 10 tackles, including six solo stops.

UP NEXT

• Olivet begins Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play next Saturday when it hosts Adrian College for Homecoming, and kick off is at 2 p.m.