Football team comes up just short against Wittenberg, 17-16

The Olivet College football team came up just short against non-conference foe Wittenberg (Ohio) University, 17-16, today at the Cutler Athletic Complex in Olivet.

Like one week ago, the Comets (0-2) put the first two points on the scoreboard via a safety on the opponent's first possession. This week, junior Brandon Wilkins (Detroit/Orchard Lake St. Mary's) busted through the coverage and blocked a Wittenberg (1-1) punt out of the back of the endzone for the two points. On the Tigers' third series of the game, they put together a nine-play, 56-yard scoring drive, which was capped off by a two-yard run by Andy Vanover. The PAT kick was good for a 7-2 Wittenberg lead with 2:43 left in the opening quarter.

Olivet grabbed the lead back on a drive that spanned the end of the first quarter and beginning of the second quarter. Senior Rob White (Caledonia/South Christian) found senior Chris Smith (Dimondale/Holt) for a four-yard touchdown reception, and junior Kyle Zabel (Sturgis) made the PAT kick with 12:06 left before halftime. Wittenberg took the lead back on the next drive, as Corey Weber scored from eight yards out and Mark Porter converted his second PAT kick of the game. The Tigers led, 14-9, at halftime.

On its first possession of the second half, the Comets scored the go-ahead score. White completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to Smith. Zabel made another PAT kick and Olivet held a 16-14 lead with 12:06 remaining in the third quarter. There was no more scoring until Wittenberg took the 17-16 lead on a 29-yard field by Porter at the 5:22 mark of the fourth quarter.

Olivet's ground game was led by sophomore Brandon Seays (Clinton Twp./Clintondale), who had three carries for 23 yards. White threw for 192 yards on 17-of-22 passing. In a back-up role, senior Calvin McNamara (Gaylord) was four-of-10 for 27 yards. Smith was the leading receiver with seven catches for 86 yards, while senior Ryan Boone (Muskegon/Muskegon Catholic Central) had five receptions for 39 yards.

Defensively, seniors Marc Miller (Sunfield/Lake Odessa) and DeRan Thomas (Detroit/H.W. Notre Dame) along with junior Hakeem Yakubu (Kalamazoo/Central) all recorded double digits in total tackles. Thomas led the way with 13 tackles, followed by Yakubu (11) and Miller (10). Miller finished with a team-high seven solo tackles.

For the Tigers, Derrick Braziel had 14 carries for 71 yards. Aaron Hufman completed 16-of-26 passes for 169 yards. Patrick Williams topped the receivers with four catches for 79 yards. Brad McKinley led the defense with seven tackles.

The Comets will wrap-up the non-conference portion of their schedule next Saturday when they travel to play Elmhurst (Ill.) College. Kickoff from Langhorst Field is noon CT.