Fighting Comets lose heartbreaker at Adrian, 49-42

The Olivet College football team lost a heartbreaker to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association foe Adrian College, 49-42, today before 1,200 fans at Alumni Field in Adrian.

After Adrian took a 42-7 lead with 12:19 remaining in the third quarter, the Fighting Comets (3-4, 0-4 MIAA) battled back with 35 unanswered points to tie the game with 1:30 left in the game. Following the touchdown, the Bulldogs answered right back with a touchdown to regain the lead. Olivet's final possession came up short at Adrian's 35-yard line.

Olivet's only touchdown in the opening half came on 12-yard run by sophomore running back Travis Sleight (Battle Creek Lakeview High School) with 2:28 left in the second quarter. Sophomore Justin Hunwick (Sterling Heights/Stevenson High School) made the point-after-touchdown kick.

The Comets rallied in the second half behind the legs of Sleight and sophomore fullback Mick Faasen (Belding High School) and the passing of junior quarterback Rick Mason (Belding High School).

The first of five straight Olivet touchdowns was on a 56-yard run by Sleight. Mason then connected with Sleight from 54-yards out at the 8:17 mark of the third quarter. Faasen cut the deficit to seven points on two- and 17-yard touchdown runs with 10:16 and 5:11 left in the game, respectively. The Comets tied the score on Sleight's fourth touchdown, a 38-yard pass completion by Mason. Hunwick nailed all five PAT kicks.

For the game, Olivet used a balance attack with 268 rushing yards and 207 passing yards for 475 total offensive yards. Faasen led all ball carriers with 18 carries for 124 yards. Sleight had 84 rushing yards, 122 receiving yards and four touchdowns, which ties the Olivet single-game record. Mason completed six-of-10 passes for 171 yards. Defensively, sophomore Jarrod LaRoche (Lake Odessa/Lakewood High School) recorded 12 tackles, including eight solo stops. Sophomore Ryan Hayes (Livonia/Franklin High School) was next with eight tackles. He also forced a fumble and broke up a pass.

Chris Wilson led Adrian with 85 rushing yards. Adam Tubaro completed 19-of-30 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Andy Keimer was the top receiver with five catches for 23 yards. Chris Warfield had 15 tackles to lead the Bulldogs.

Olivet will next be in action on Saturday, Nov. 1, when it hosts future MIAA member Tri-State University of Ind. Kickoff from Griswold Field is 1 p.m.