ONU OUTLASTS SIENA HEIGHTS IN 20-14 OVERTIME VICTORY

ADRIAN, Mich. – Joe Fugle was the hero who got the Olivet Nazarene University football team got in the win column, helping the Tigers outlast the Siena Heights Saints with a game-winning touchdown in a 20-14 overtime victory Saturday afternoon at O'Laughlin Stadium.

The win marked the second time in as many weeks that the Tigers found themselves in overtime. After falling to Taylor in a Ward Field shootout last weekend, ONU's Fugle housed a 68-yard scoop-and-score on the first overtime play from scrimmage to secure the win for the Purple & Yellow Gold.

The game was tied at the end of regulation after ONU built a commanding two-score lead. It took nearly 24 minutes of game time for a team to put points on the board, but the Tigers struck first with Andrew-Lee Smith punching in a one-yard touchdown dive to make it 7-0.

The Tigers added to their total midway through the third quarter when junior quarterback Jack Miller led his offense on a methodical 12-play scoring drive, capped off by a six-yard touchdown pitch-and-catch to Brandon Jackson that put the Purple & Yellow Gold up by two scores.

But the Saints (0-3) responded quickly with their first touchdown on the following drive. Despite missing the extra point, Siena Heights found a way to tie the game with a one-yard rushing touchdown, and the ensuing two-point conversion tied the game. 

Neither team was able to break the tie by the end of regulation, but Fugle made the impact play on the first snap of overtime to seal the Olivet victory 20-14.

Miller had another efficient day at quarterback, completing 14 of his 20 pass attempts for 162 yards and a touchdown. Blake Lamb hauled in a team-best three receptions for 43 yards. Christian Warren led ONU in receiving yards with 44 on just one reception. Jarvis Turner, Andrew Cloy, and Jackson all brought down a pair of receptions each.

Aaron Bennett led the rushing attack with 91 yards on 16 carries. Keshawn Huguely carried the ball seven times for 32 yards. Smith finished with nine yards on a pair of carries and the score.

Chris Boden paced the ONU defense with 10 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss for five yards. Hunter Ah Loo tabbed six tackles and a sack. Fatu Iosefa, Nicholas Bunkosky, Sean Outlaw, and Duke Hoohuli all registered five tackles apiece.

The Tigers will return to Ward Field to host No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan Saturday afternoon for a noon kickoff.

--ONU—

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