THREE BIG PLAYS LEAD TIGERS TO VICTORY IN QUAD CITIES

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Three passing touchdowns of over 69 yards made all the difference for the Olivet Nazarene University football team as they took down the Fighting Bees of St. Ambrose 34-28 Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers opened the game up with a methodical six-minute drive that found its way into the endzone via the legs of Cameron Crouch for his fifth rushing score of the season. St. Ambrose had the answer on the following drive, getting into the endzone in less than two minutes to tie up the game.

Jalen Dunnigan put the Tigers back on top with a spectacular one-handed grab that he swung into the endzone. ONU then pushed the lead to two scores after Crouch tossed a 69-yard strike to Brian Jenkins that was waltzed into the endzone for a touchdown.

The Fighting Bees were able to crack the endzone on the ensuing drive, and the game would remain a one-score contest as they headed into the break.

Halftime: Olivet Nazarene 20, St. Ambrose 14

The 'Purple Wave' defense held the St. Ambrose offense to a three-and-out to open the second half. The Bee's lifted a short punt that allowed the Tigers to take over in St. Ambrose territory, but couldn't capitalize on the great field position after failing to convert on 4th down in the redzone.

ONU stuffed St. Ambrose once again on the following drive to force a punt. On the first, Crouch screened it out to Jenkins, who then barreled it down the sideline all the way to the house for an 82-yard score and his second touchdown of the day.

The pesky Bees refused to back down, however, marching it down the field for a touchdown on the following drive to once again make it a one-possession game. Once again, the Tigers had the answer with the long ball. Crouch connected with a wide-open Dantrez Smith for a 74-yard touchdown reception to extend the lead to 34-21.

Another St. Ambrose touchdown would keep the game within one score. The Tigers sat on the ball to burn all of the Fighting Bees' timeouts and wind the clock down to 0:03. St. Ambrose launched one last hoorah, but Gerald Blackmon plucked it out of the air to end the game and give the Tigers their second conference win.

GAME VITALS

Final: Olivet Nazarene 34, St. Ambrose 28

Records: Olivet Nazarene 3-3 (2-1 MSFA) | St. Ambrose 2-4 (210 MSFA)

Location: Brady St. Stadium | St. Ambrose University | Davenport, Iowa

QUICK HITS

• Crouch went 19-for-26 in the air for 356 yards and four touchdowns

• Jenkins snagged a season-high 170 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns.

• Evan Leake was the leading rusher for the Tigers with 88 yards.

• Damien Thornton and Josh Miser led the ONU defensive effort, tallying 11 tackles each.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers will stay on the road for an MSFA battle against Missouri Baptist in St. Louis, Mo. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu