ONU FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON WITH 55-0 ROUT OF MADONNA
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (1-0) | 20 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 55 |
|
Madonna (0-1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
LIVONIA, Mich. – An offensive onslaught coupled with a stalwart defensive effort helped the Olivet Nazarene University football team roll over the Madonna Crusaders 55-0 Saturday afternoon at Churchill High School in Livonia, Mich. The win improves the Tigers to 1-0 on the season and gives Mike Conway his first victory since returning as head coach for the ONU football team.
After a three-and-out by the Tiger defense to open the game, it took just three plays for the Tigers to find the endzone on their first drive. Evan Leake dashed for a 29-yard gainer to set up a Cameron Crouch to Brian Jenkins connection that gave ONU a 7-0 lead just two minutes into the contest. The Tigers never let up.
The Tiger defense forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing drive. Three plays later, Crouch delivered a 55-yard strike that was hauled in by Blake Lamb for a score and a 14-0 lead.
That was just the start of a big day for the Tigers in the season opener for both teams. Crouch scampered into the endzone for a four-yard touchdown before Brandon Odam got some reps in at quarterback. He closed out the big first half by dropping in a pair of touchdown passes to freshman wide receiver Brandon Jackson, the first from 13 yards out and the second from 35 yards.
The offensive freight train refused to slow down heading into the second half. On the half's opening drive, Crouch marched the Tigers down the field before delivering a ball to Jenkins who made an absolutely sensational one-handed diving grab for his second score of the game.
Brendyn Agbayani took charge of the offense late in the third quarter, picking up his first touchdown of the season and the third in his career on a 24-yard pitch-and-catch to Andrew Cloy to round out the offensive scoring for the Tigers.
And while ONU racked up 575 total yards, the Tiger defense limited Madonna to 209 yards of offense. ONU forced four turnovers and outscored the Crusader offense with a Hunter Ah Loo pick-six to complete the game's scoring in the third quarter. The Tigers also scrounged up four sacks for 29 yards lost throughout the contest.
Brayden Cook and Abraham Flores-Cuen led the team with seven total tackles each. Cheo Trotter racked up six solo tackles while Lucas Eckles finished with five total tackles.
ONU will return to Bourbonnais to host their home opener against Concordia (Mich.) on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. CST at Ward Field.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu
