Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Photo Credit: Eric Decker
Photo Credit: Eric Decker
Posted: Nov 06, 2021

ONU RUSHES FOR 396 YARDS IN WIN OVER TRINITY INTERNATIONAL

Photos Video Live stats Box Score

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University football team returned to Ward Field for a Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) showdown with the Trojans of Trinity International University on Saturday afternoon. 

 

Lucas Eckles returned the opening kickoff 31-yards putting the ball on the ONU-38.  A few plays into the drive, Cameron Crouch completed a pass to Tyler Isaacson for 22 yards, which put the ball on the TIU-11.  Unfortunately, that drive stalled for the Tigers after the Trojans made a goal line stand.  After the Tiger defense forced a three-and-out, ONU used the ground game to open the scoring.  Evan Leake kicked off the possession with a pair of carries for 15 yards.  After a penalty, Leake found the endzone for a 34-yard touchdown making the score, 7-0.  The Tigers led by a touchdown going into the second quarter. 

 

The Tigers jumped on the scoreboard again on their opening possession of the second quarter.  Crouch, Aaje Grayson, Mattias Clark, Jalen Dunnigan, and Leake all combined for nine carries for 99 yards as Leake ended the drive with his second rushing touchdown on the game. The drive was highlighted by a 20-yard end-around rush by Dunnigan.  After the extra point was missed, the Tigers pulled ahead, 13-0.  The Trojans cracked the scoring column on their next drive on a 13-yard touchdown reception making the score, 13-6.

 

With 3:10 left in the second quarter, ONU used the running game to score another touchdown before the half.  Leake continued his strong first half with rushes of 20 and 21 yards.  After Crouch carried the ball 29-yards, the set up for Grayson to run into the endzone for a 10-yard rushing touchdown.  The Tigers extended their lead to, 20-6 and led by that same margin going into the half.  On the defensive side of the ball, Jason Freeman led the Tigers with 17 tackles. 

 

Halftime: Olivet Nazarene 20, Trinity International 6

 

The Tiger defense made a stand on the first Trojan possession of the second half.  On a 4th and 6, Cameron Outlaw's 38-yard field goal was blocked by Princeten Harris and was recovered by Damien Savage.  On the ensuing drive, the Tigers offense kept attacking the Trojan defense.  On this possession, the Tiger offense had the passing and running game going.  Crouch completed passes to Leake and Gil'Scott Jackson II.  Grayson then went back to work and broke out a 32-yard rush and put the Tigers in good position for another score.  Crouch eventually rushed in a seven-yard touchdown.  After an Andrew Ryczek extra point, ONU led 27-6.

 

 After Harris picked off TIU quarterback Derrick Taylor on the next drive, the Tigers used the air to put up another score.  On the fourth play of the drive, Crouch played pitch-and-catch with Brian Jenkins for a 61-yard touchdown to make the score, 34-6.  ONU led 34-6, going into the final quarter of play. 

After the Tigers muffed a punt, the Trojans used the short field and scored an eight-yard touchdown.  After the point after was blocked by Joshua Mathiasen, the Tigers led 34-14.  On the ensuing drive, freshman quarterback Jaden Taylor entered the game at QB and completed his first pass to Jenkins for a touchdown.  The Tigers took a commanding 41-14 lead. 

 

The Tigers saw production from both sides of the ball and rushed for 396 yards as they took down the Trojans of TIU, 41-14. 

 

GAME VITALS

Final: Olivet Nazarene 41, Trinity International 14

Records: Olivet Nazarene: 6-3 (4-2 MSFA) | Trinity International: 3-7 (1-5 MSFA)

Location: Ward Field | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, Ill.

 

QUICK HITS

  • Freeman led the Tigers with a career-high 31 total tackles, which is two tackles off of the school record, which stands at 33. 
  • Freeman added five quarterback hurries and 2.5 tackles-for-loss for nine yards. 
  • Reese Vaessen and Mathiasen also accumulated five QB hurries. 
  • Leake led the Tigers with 12 carries for 141 yards and two scores. 
  • Clark and Grayson followed with 80 and 63 yards, respectively.
  • Grayson and Crouch both ran for touchdowns. 
  • Crouch passed for 129 yards and one touchdown. 
  • Andrew Rycek made five-of-six extra points. 
  • Harris and Mathiasen each blocked one kick. 
  • Savage and Braydon Cook had 11 and nine tackles, respectively. 
  • The Tigers amassed 579 yards of total offense. 

'

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers conclude their 2021 regular season taking on the Lakers of Roosevelt University on Saturday, November 13th for Senior Day.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Ward Field. 

 

--ONU—

 

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu