ONU FORCES SIX TAKEAWAYS IN 35-7 ROUT OF FIGHTING SAINTS

JOLIET, Ill. – Six takeaways, six sacks, and a defensive touchdown keyed the Olivet Nazarene University football team's 35-7 win over St. Francis (Ill.) Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium. ONU snagged four interceptions and recovered a forced fumble while leaving the Fighting Saints off the scoreboard over the first three quarters.

ONU opened the game with a methodical 17-play touchdown drive that took nearly nine minutes off the clock. The Tigers converted two fourth downs on the statement drive, with the second conversion coming on Arthur Walker's drive-capping two-yard touchdown dive to put ONU up early.

The Fighting Saints (6-3, 2-3 MSFA) appeared poised to tie the game late in the second quarter, taking the ball down to the goal line. But the stalwart ONU defense held strong, stuffing them on two plays before John Harman forced a fumble that was scooped up by Duke Hoohuli for a 75-yard touchdown sprint.

With three minutes left in the first half, Gerald Blackmon ended USF's next drive early with an interception that set up the Tigers in the redzone. On ONU's first play, Cameron Crouch found Titus Maunakea for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 21-0 lead heading into halftime.

The second half followed a similar script. John Harman forced a fumble on USF's first play of the half that Nic Bunkosky fell on. A 20-yard rush from Brian Jenkins put the Tigers at the goal line, and Crouch found Maunakea in the endzone for the second time to make it 28-0.

Evan Leake put the finishing touches on the game with a signature special teams play, bringing a punt 45-yard back for a touchdown to put ONU up five scores midway through the fourth quarter.

St. Francis, who peaked as high as No. 17 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll earlier this season, finally got on the scoreboard with six minutes remaining in the fourth. But by then it was too late as the Tigers rolled to the big win.

Crouch was an efficient 6-for-11 passing for 70 yards and the two touchdowns to Maunakea. Blake Lamb brought down a pair of catches for 29 yards. Jenkins hauled in three receptions for 10 yards.

The ONU running-back trio was on full display in the win. Walker paced the offense with 13 carries for 44 yards and a touchdown. Aaron Bennett toted the ball 12 times for 37 yards and Leak added 42 yards on nine touches.

Brayden Cook and Abraham Flores-Cuen led the defensive effort with 11 tackles each, with the latter racking up two sacks for seven yards lost. Harman recorded seven tackles and forced two fumbles. Vaisen Viloria snagged two interceptions.

The win improves ONU to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in league play. The Tigers will stay on the road to face Saint Xavier Saturday in Chicago, Ill.

--ONU—

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