TIGERS FALL IN 58-51 OVERTIME THRILLER AGAINST TAYLOR
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Taylor (IN) (2-0) | 14 | 20 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 58 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (1-1) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 51 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season, the Olivet Nazarene University football team put on a show at Ward Field but ultimately fell short in a 58-51 overtime shootout against Taylor.
After back-to-back rushing touchdowns from Evan Leake ONU ahead by two scores early, the Tigers found themselves in a hole late as the Trojan offensive attack gave them fits all night. And when the Trojans capped off their fourth consecutive scoring drive with a touchdown late in the third quarter, the Purple & Yellow Gold trailed 48-35 with just over 19 minutes left to play.
But Jack Miller started a rally when he found Blake Lamb down the field for a 51-yard scoring strike to make it a one-touchdown game. The ONU defense then limited the red-hot Trojan offense to a field goal attempt which would fall short, with Josiah Johnson knocking down a 39-yard field goal on the ensuing drive to cut the deficit down to four.
With the momentum now on their side, the Tiger defense locked down TU to a three-and-out. Miller led the Tigers on an emphatic go-ahead drive, with a 40-yard pitch-and-catch to Ray Coffey setting up a goal-to-go situation. On third and goal, Miller found freshman Andy Vogelmann in the back of the endzone who made a sensational grab to put the Tigers up 51-48 with just three minutes to go.
The Tiger defense then delivered what appeared to be a knockout blow when they turned Taylor over on downs with 47 ticks of the clock remaining. But disaster would strike as the Trojans pounced on an unforced fumble on the snap, and they would make ONU pay as they quickly went down the field to knock through the game-tying field goal and force overtime.
In the extra period, Taylor (2-0) took the field on offense first and worked their way into the endzone on just three plays to jump in front. The Tigers got their way down to the 11-yard line on their attempt, but could not find the necessary score to force a second period, falling 58-51.
The Tigers outgained the Trojans with 563 yards of total offense, going for 460 through the air and racking up over 200 return yards. But the costly turnovers proved to be the difference, with Taylor winning the turnover battle 4-0 with a pair of picks, one of which was returned for a touchdown in the second quarter, and two fumble recoveries.
Miller went 19-of-35 through the air for all 460 of ONU's passing yards. He connected on four touchdown passes while surrendering two interceptions.
Leake finished the day with a hattrick, punching in three touchdowns on 14 rushing attempts for 71 total yards. He also racked up 142 yards on five kick returns and returned one punt for 31 more. Aaron Bennett carried the ball seven times for 31 yards.
Lamb showed why he was an all-MSFA first-team selection a season ago, hauling in six receptions for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Coffey eclipsed the century mark, as well, going over 100 receiving yards for the first time in his career with 131 on four catches to go along with a touchdown grab.
John Harman anchored the ONU defense with 18 total tackles, including nine solo and one tackle for loss. Abe Flores-Cuen contributed nine tackles and one for loss, while Sean Outlaw picked up two tackles for loss.
The Tigers, now 1-1 on the season, will look to get back in the win column when they travel to Siena Heights Saturday for an 11 a.m. CST kickoff at O'Laughlin Stadium.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu
