THE TIGERS CLAIM THE OUTRIGHT MSFA TITLE WITH WIN AGAINST TRINITY INTERNATIONAL
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (8-0) | 17 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 37 |
|
Trinity International (0-7) | 0 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 18 |
DEERFIELD, Ill. – The 13th ranked Olivet Nazarene University Tigers went up the road to face the Trinity International University Trojans at Leslie A. Frazier Field. The Tigers clinched a share of the MSFA West Title a week ago in a prime-time victory against perennial powerhouse St. Xavier University. This week the Tigers were looking to clinch their first outright conference title in well over a decade.
The Tigers came out hungry and jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Freshman running back Max McClendon (FR/Jacksonville, Fla.) capped off an impressive opening drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. On the next drive, TIU quarterback Nolan Brammer was picked off by linebacker Jason Freeman (SO/Zion, Ill.) giving the Tigers the ball back. ONU took advantage of the extra possession by driving 59 yards. Kicker Bryce DeGuira (SR/Nashville, Tenn.) finished the drive with a 38-yard field goal. The Tigers next drive was an impressive 81-yard drive capped off by a 16-yard touchdown pass from David Hutton (SO/Brookfield, Wis.) to running back Aaje Grayson (SO/New York, N.Y). Just minutes into the second quarter Bryce Deguira nailed a 26-yard field goal to put the Tigers up 20-0. Trinity wasn't ready to call it quits yet. The Trojans responded with an 11 play 78-yard drive that was completed with a gritty five-yard touchdown run by their quarterback. David Hutton and the Tigers responded quickly. Hutton and senior playmaker Scott Graziano (SR/Elgin, Ill.) connected for a 49-yard touchdown pass with five minutes remaining in the half. TIU had another long possession towards the end of the opening half and capitalized on an 11 play drive as a 4-yard touchdown rush to cut the Tigers lead down to 15 going into halftime.
Haltime: ONU 27, TIU 12
Both teams struggled initially in the second half, but the Tigers struck again with a huge 66-yard touchdown pass from David Hutton to senior Brady Walling (SR/Meridian, Idaho) giving the Tigers a 34-12 lead. Trinity struck again at the 4-minute mark in the 3rd quarter on another rushing touchdown. Following this, the stout Tigers defense wouldn't let the Trojans reach the endzone again. Bryce DeGuira hammered away a 36-yard field goal with 7:35 left on the clock and gave the Tigers a 37-18 lead over the Trojans. Miles VanderKlock and Damien Savage (SO/Orlando, Fla.) came away with big-time interceptions late in the fourth eliminating any chances of a late Trojan comeback.
GAME VITALS
Score: Olivet Nazarene – 39 | Trinity International – 18
Records: Olivet Nazarene – 8-0 (8-0) | Trinity International – 0-7 (0-6)
Location: Trinity International University | Deerfield, Ill. | Leslie A. Frazier Field
STAT TRACKER
- David Hutton went 25 for 50 with 441 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions
- Gil'Scott Jackson II (SR/Thousand Oaks, Calif.) ran the ball 9 times for 52 yards.
- Brady Walling had 4 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown
- Scott Graziano had 5 receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown
- Jason Freeman recorded 6 total tackles, a sack, and 2 tackles for loss.
- Joshua Mathiasen (FR/Elmhurst, Ill.) and Grant Manke (SO/Brownsville, Wis.) both recorded a sack.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The opening round of the NAIA Football Championships will begin on Saturday, April 17th. The Tigers will wait to hear who they will be facing. Time and place are TBA.
*ONU streaming network: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/olivet/
--ONU--
Contact: Reese Decker, ONU Football Assistant Coach