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Olivet opens season with 55-14 victory over Kalamazoo

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OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College football team piled up 505 yards of offense and the defense allowed only 230 yards, as the Comets won 55-14 over Kalamazoo College this afternoon in its season-opener at the Cutler Athletic Complex. Olivet played a football game for the first time since November 16, 2019, a span of 491 days.

THE BASICS
Final Score:
Olivet 55, Kalamazoo 14
Location: Cutler Athletic Complex; Olivet, Michigan
Records: Olivet 1-0 overall, Kalamazoo 0-1 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

  • The Hornets scored a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
  • Olivet quickly answered when senior Kaleb Jarrett threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to freshman Deonte Higgins on its first play of the ensuing drive.
  • The Comet defense stopped another Kalamazoo drive when junior Anthony Merriman III intercepted the quarterback. Taking over at K-46, Olivet needed just four plays to score another touchdown, as Higgins hauled in 20-yard pass from Jarrett.
  • The Comets scored a touchdown on each of their three possessions in the second quarter to lead 34-7 at halftime. The first was a 3-yard quarterback sneak by Jarrett. The second was a 34-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett to freshman Akeem Benjamin. The third was a 15-yard touchdown reception by sophomore Jalen Broussard from Jarrett.
  • Olivet added to it lead in the third quarter on one- and six-yard touchdown runs by freshman Jeremiah Sterling.
  • The Hornets scored their final touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard pass play.
  • The Comets capped the scoring when freshman Cortaveon Barnett broke loose for a 36-yard touchdown run.

FOR THE COMETS

  • Olivet's 505 yards consisted of 183 yards on the ground and 322 through the air.
  • Jarrett completed 13-of-19 passes for 308 yards and four touchdowns.
  • Ten players caught a pass. Higgins had three catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Seven players recorded at least one carry. Barnett rushed for a team-best 57 yards.
  • Sophomore Nyassinu Crowell, Jr. had seven rushes for 57 yards.
  • Sophomore Samuel Roose was 7-of-8 on PAT kicks.
  • Freshman Damani Carter topped the defense with five solo tackles.
  • Merriman III and senior Jeylin Rogers each tallied four tackles.
  • Senior Ta'Mar Heart-Wilkins collected three tackles for loss, including two quarterback sacks for minus 15 yards. One of the sacks resulted in a forced fumble and recovery.

FOR THE OPPOSITION

  • Brendan Gausselin was 16-of-31 for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
  • Wilson hauled in six passes for 81 yards.
  • Jon Brunette had eight carries for 37 yards to go along with four receptions for 22 yards.
  • Jacob Chantres led the defense with eight tackles.

UP NEXT

  • The Comets host preseason MIAA favorite Albion College Saturday, March 27. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.
Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
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