UOlivet loses to Calvin, 50-20
November 1, 2025
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The University of Olivet football team fell to Calvin University, 50-20, in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) game this afternoon at Zuidema Field.
THE BASICS
- Final Score: Calvin 50, Olivet 20
- Location: Zuidema Field; Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Records: Olivet 1-7 overall, 1-4 MIAA; Calvin 6-2 overall, 3-2 MIAA
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Comets received the opening kickoff and used a 7-play drive to score a touchdown on a 35-yard pass from senior Charlie Grant to freshman Wade Brashears.
- The Knights responded with an 11-play scoring drive, capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Thomas Vaccaro to Luke Michmerhuizen.
- Olivet turned was stopped on its next possession, and Calvin was forced to punt on its next drive.
- The Comets took over at their own 20-yard line. On the 12th play, junior wide receiver Rashawn Mersier hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Grant.
- The Knights answered with an 8-play scoring drive, finished with a one-yard touchdown run by Nick Earles. The PAT kick was good to even the score at 14-14 with 5:37 left in the second quarter.
- Calvin took advantage of an Olivet turnover to score a touchdown in the final minute of the first half. Vaccaro snuck into the end zone from a yard out to make the score 21-14 at halftime.
- The Knights scored a touchdown in the third quarter and two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 42-14 with 10:34 remaining in the game.
- The Comets dented the scoreboard one final time at the 6:29 mark when freshman Noah Bates caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Daniel Avila.
- Calvin closed the scoring with a 26-yard touchdown run by Hayden Slegers.
FOR THE COMETS
- Olivet had 350 yards of offense compared to 440 for the Knights.
- Grant throw for 223 yards on 19-of-31 passing.
- Avila was 7-of-12 for 81 yards.
- Mersier had eight catches for 98 yards.
- Bates caught five passes for 95 yards.
- Freshman Jaylan Johnson led the ground game with 11 carries for 45 yards.
- Freshman Bacari Fields topped the defense with 11 tackles.
- Freshman Javon Peterson also reached double figures in tackles with 10.
UP NEXT
- The Comets host Albion College next Saturday, November 8, at 12 p.m.
