BIG PLAYS PLAGUE ONU IN LOSS AT NO. 6 MARIAN
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (1-2) | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
|
Marian (IN) (3-0) | 14 | 24 | 0 | 7 | 45 |
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Three big-play touchdowns in the first half proved to be the difference as the Olivet Nazarene University football team fell to No. 6 Marian 45-14 Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Tigers surrendered a pick-six, an 89-yard touchdown pass, and a 91-yard kickoff return as time was expiring in the second quarter to fall behind 38-14 heading into the halftime locker room.
But ONU wasn't short on big plays of their own. Evan Leake returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown for his second return touchdown in as many games, which tied the score at 7-7 early.
The Tiger defense then forced back-to-back three-and-outs, giving ONU the chance to take the lead. But Marian hauled in an interception just three yards from the endzone that they brought in to recapture the lead. They would lead from there on out.
Marian would score points on three of their next four drives. In the waning minutes of the first half, Cameron Crouch led the Tigers on a stellar two-minute drill, taking the ball down 67 yards for a score in under three minutes. Crouch capped the 10-play drive by connecting with Blake Lamb from nine yards out to get ONU back on the board with 25 seconds left in the half.
But Marian would house the ensuing kickoff to steal the momentum heading into the break. Another Knights' pick-six would be the lone score of the second half as the Tigers fell to 1-2 on the campaign.
Crouch completed 6-of-19 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Odam was 6-for-13 for 51 yards.
Arthur Walker carried the ball 10 times for 37 yards. Crouch (30 yards) and Leake (28) combined for 58 yards on the ground.
Andrew Cloy caught a team-best three passes for 41 yards. Ryan Morrison-Gravenberg hauled in the longest catch of the day for ONU with a 30-yard reception. Brian Jenkins, Lamb, and Leake each hauled in two receptions.
John Harman led the ONU defense with 13 total tackles, a sack, and an interception. Zac Stauffer recorded three sacks for 28 yards lost in the contest. He and Nic Bunkosky each finished with five tackles each.
The Tigers will return to Ward Field to take on Lawrence Tech on Saturday.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu
