NO. 17 TIGERS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST TAYLOR UNDER THE LIGHTS AT WARD FIELD
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Taylor (1-2) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (2-1) | 10 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 34 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – After falling to Indiana Wesleyan last weekend, the No. 17 Olivet Nazarene University football team bounced back and defeated the Trojans of Taylor University, 34-7, at Ward Field, under the lights, on Saturday,
The Tiger defense got off to a great start as Damien Savage recovered a bad snap by the Trojan quarterback. On the ensuing drive, David Hutton connected with Brian Jenkins for a 23-yard touchdown strike. The Bryce Deguira extra point opened the score to 7-0. After the Tiger defense forced a three-and-out, Hutton and the ONU offense marched the ball down 60 yards in 14 plays in 8 minutes, settling for a 19-yard field goal by Deguira. The big play on that drive was a 23-yard reception from Hutton to Jalen Dunnigan. That 10-0 score would hold true going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, the Trojans missed a field goal on their first drive. The Trojans cut into the Tiger lead later in the second quarter and marked a one-yard touchdown run and made the score 10-7. The 10-7 score would be true heading into the half.
Halftime: No. 17 ONU 10, Taylor 7
The Tigers grabbed the early momentum in the third quarter. On their first drive, Hutton hooked up with Jared Honey for a 42-yard reception, placing the ball at the Taylor 19. The Tigers saw the drive came to an end when Aaje Grayson rushed for a four-yard touchdown making the score, 17-7. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Dunnigan returned a punt for 30-yards and set up the Tigers in prime field position to start the drive. Then, the Tigers gave the ball to Gil-Scott Jackson II and he rushed the ball three times for 15 yards. Deguira ended the drive with a 37-yard field goal and grew the lead to, 20-7.
After the stout Tiger defense made Taylor go three-and-out again, the Tigers took advantage and struck for another score on the next drive. This drive was the best passing drive for ONU in the game as Hutton hooked up with Conner Lewis for 13 yards and Jaylen Fowler for 42 yards, down the sideline. The drive ended when Hutton found the endzone with his feet. The Tigers led 27-7 and led by that same score going into the final quarter of play.
In Taylor's first full drive of the fourth quarter, Andre Stephens intercepted Trojan quarterback Zac Saltzgaber on the one-yard-line. After the Tiger drive stalled, Princeten Harris intercepted Saltzgaber on the seven yard-line to set up the next Tiger drive. The next Tiger drive was a success as backup quarterback Cameron Crouch rushed the ball three times for 75 yards. Crouch capped off the drive with five-yard touchdown rush extending the Tiger lead to 34-7.
The Tigers rushed for 273 yards and saw brilliant defense as ONU won in convincing fashion, 34-7.
GAME VITALS
Final: No. 17 ONU 34, Taylor 7
Record: No. 17 Olivet Nazarene 2-1 | Taylor: 1-2
Location: Ward Field | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, Ill.
QUICK HITS
- Crouch rushed the ball six times for 80 yards and a touchdown to lead the Tigers.
- Hutton passed the ball for 168 yards with a touchdown and interception.
- Fowler and Honey both grabbed 42-yard catches to lead the Tigers.
- Harris and Stephens both had a pick
- Jason Freeman led the Tigers with 22 tackles and 5 quarterback hurries.
- Mark Phelps followed with 15 tackles and Joshua Mathiasen, Drew Hanft, and Lance Walker amassed 9 tackles.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The No. 17 Tigers travel to Carpentersville, Ill. to face off against Judson University on Saturday, October 2nd. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
--ONU—
*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu
