Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College football team entertained a hungry Pacific squad filled with seniors on Friday evening and dropped a 20-10 decision on their home turf in the season opener. The Boxers took advantage of three turnovers in the first half and then ran out most of the clock in the second half including a 10:39 to 4:21 advantage in the fourth quarter to salt away the victory. Pacific went 6-of-14 on third down conversions for the contest and moved the chains at the most important times.
Adrian took the opening kickoff and on the second offensive play it was a Drew Collins interception by Craig Bailey that put the Boxers at the Adrian 21-yard line. Pacific went those 21 yards in four plays capped off by a one-yard touchdown plunge by Gunther Schultze. The extra point went wide left and Pacific had a 6-0 lead.
Pacific took their second possession and stalled out at the Adrian 47-yard line. The Aaron Koford punted was blocked by Deontae Bridgeman and scooped up by Jack Carter who rumbled for 40 yards for the score. Dustin Salliotte booted the extra point and Adrian had a 7-6 lead with 7:23 left in the first quarter.
The Boxers took a 13-7 lead with 1:09 left in the second quarter as they marched 42 yards in six plays capped off by a 15-yard pitch and catch from P.J. Minaya to Bobby Ladiges who made several defenders miss on his way to the end zone.
Adrian fought back with a 20-yard field goal by Salliotte with 5:17 left in the third quarter to pull within 13-10. The Boxers had a big stand on first and goal for the Bulldogs from the four-yard line. Pacific regained momentum on their next drive as Minaya unleashed a 42-yard strike to Jordan Fukumoto with 1:51 left in the third to give Pacific a 20-10 lead.
The fourth quarter saw neither team score as Adrian managed 44 yards and just two first downs. Pacific ran 19 plays in the quarter and gained 62 yards. Adrian finished with 229 yards averaging 4.2 yards per play. Pacific gained 300 yards including 206 through the air. Minaya went 19-of-29 with two scores and was sacked just once. Collins ended up 11-of-17 for 60 yards with two picks and was sacked twice. Collins did lead the team with 61 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Danny Cobb carried six times for 55 yards including a team-best 34-yard run.
Bridgeman totaled nine tackles to lead the defense. Charles Fleck added eight tackles including seven solo stops. Adrian recorded just three tackles for loss on the night. The Bulldogs will travel next Saturday to Defiance College to continue non-conference action.