Football team defeats Manchester (Ind.), 33-14, in home-opener

The Olivet College football team defeated Manchester (Ind.) College, 33-14, this evening at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet. It was also the first-ever Thursday night game in school history.

After there was no scoring in the first quarter, the Comets (1-1) scored on the third play of the second quarter when sophomore Lonnie Jones (Niles) found the endzone from two yards out. The score was set-up by a 41-yard pass completion from junior quarterback Calvin McNamara (Gaylord) to Jones on the previous play. The Spartans (1-2) were forced to punt on their next series.

Jones capped the next Olivet drive with a three-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion pass by McNamara to junior Rod Sanders (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) was successful, and the Comets led 14-0 with 5:06 left in the second quarter. Manchester had to punt the ball on its next possession. Olivet added a 27-yard field goal by sophomore Kyle Zabel (Sturgis) for a 17-0 halftime lead.

The Spartans came out of the locker room and scored 14 unanswered points to cut their deficit to three points with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter. On the Comets' third series of the second half, senior Ken Lackscheide's (Vermontville/Maple Valley) punt was downed at the six-yard line. Manchester fumbled the ball on the first play of its drive, and junior DeRan Thomas (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) recovered the ball at the nine-yard line. Olivet used the short field and scored when McNamara connected with sophomore Carl Mulder (Battle Creek/Lakeview) for a four-yard touchdown reception.

The Comets put the game away with 10 points in the fourth quarter. The first seven points came when sophomore Thomas Pratt (Gaylord) broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run and Zabel made the PAT kick with 8:23 left. Zabel later booted a 35-yard field goal with just under five minutes remaining in the game.

For the game, Olivet outgained Manchester, 320-245, in total offense, including a 166-79 edge on the ground. Pratt led all ball carriers with 10 carries for 107 yards. Jones finished with 25 rushing yards. McNamara completed 13-of-24 passes for 154 yards. Mulder caught five passes for 45 yards, while senior Ryan Boone (Muskegon/Catholic Central) had four receptions for 54 yards.

Defensively, Thomas recorded a team-high nine tackles, including seven solo stops. Junior Jacob Dungey (Lansing/Holt) was next with five tackles. Lackscheide punted the ball six times for 261 yards, a 43.5 average and long of 57.

On the ground, Brent Ash led the Spartans with seven carries for 39 yards and five receptions for 30 yards. Joel Hawkins completed 13-of-25 passes for 166 yards with two interceptions. Jovan Joyner had a team-high 56 receiving yards on two completions. Defensively, Zach Smith recorded nine tackles.

The Comets continue their non-conference schedule next Saturday, Sept. 23, when they host Elmhurst (Ill.) College at 1 p.m.