#19 TIGERS COME UP SHORT AGAINST #8 KNIGHTS

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — No. 19 Olivet Nazarene University fell to No. 8 Marian University 44-36 in a hard-fought contest, despite a 368-yard passing performance from Christian Dhue-Reid that included three touchdowns.

Marian received the opening kickoff and started their initial drive on the 35-yard line. The Tigers' defense held strong, forcing Marian to punt after a short series, highlighted by two Kennarius Chandler stops. The ensuing drive saw Olivet struggle to gain momentum, resulting in a punt back to Marian. After a couple more punts were exchanged, Marian capitalized on solid field position and a pass interference penalty to advance deep into Olivet territory. Keagan La Belle eventually crossed into the end zone with a 4-yard rush, and Alijah Price's extra point was good, putting Marian ahead 7-0. Olivet responded with a methodical drive, initiated by a 9-yard connection from Dhue-Reid to Ray Coffey. After a 27-yard connection from Dhue-Reid to Andy Vogelmann, the drive eventually culminated in a 6-yard touchdown pass on another connection between Dhue-Reid and Vogelmann. Josiah Johnson's successful extra point tied the game and the quarter concluded with the score knotted at 7-7.

Marian continued their next possession into the second quarter with a strong drive, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown run by Price at 10:36. The Tigers took over at their own 30-yard line after Jalen Perkins returned the kickoff for 24 yards. However, the drive stalled and on fourth and two, Aaron Bennett was stopped behind the line for a turnover on downs. Marian capitalized on their defensive stand with a field goal to extend their lead to 17-7. Olivet then mounted a crucial comeback, highlighted by a 39-yard pass from Dhue-Reid to Japheth Lilo, setting up Aaron Bennett's 10-yard touchdown run at 2:35. Johnson's extra point brought Olivet back within three points. After Olivet forced a Marian punt on their next possession, the Tigers took over on their own 23-yard line with 1:48 remaining in the half. A 30-yard completion from Dhue-Reid to Vogelmann put the Tigers in scoring position, and they were able to capitalize with a 31-yard field goal by Johnson right before the half concluded. Both teams went to the locker room with the score level at 17-17.

The third quarter began with Olivet driving to their own 47-yard line, but Marian forced another turnover on downs. Marian struck quickly and two plays later La Belle ran it in from six yards out to give Marian a 24-17 lead after the extra point. Olivet responded by orchestrating a balanced drive, highlighted by a 42-yard pass from Dhue-Ried to Coffey. This set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Bennett at 7:28, bringing the teams level at 24-24. After exchanging punts on the next two possessions, Marian regained the lead with a four-play, 41-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run from Tristan Polk. Marian missed the extra point, and on Olivet's next possession the third quarter ended with Marian leading 30-24.

The fourth quarter began with Olivet methodically driving into Marian territory. The Tigers' 15-play drive took 8:04 off the clock and culminated with a Dhue-Reid 7-yard touchdown pass to Lilo. Johnson's extra point try sailed wide right, and the teams were tied once again with 9:12 remaining in the game. However, the subsequent kickoff return by Price resulted in a 95-yard touchdown for Marian, quickly regaining the lead 37-30. After forcing Olivet to punt on their next possession, Marian quickly scored to increase their lead at 44-30. With 4:57 remaining, the Tigers started their next drive at their own 25-yard line. Facing a fourth and 12 at their own 42, Dhue-Reid found Vogelmann for 13 yards and a Tiger first down. Dhue-Reid followed-up the first down conversion with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Nakoa Kahana-Travis down the left sideline and the Tigers were within eight points after the two-point try was unsuccessful. Olivet's defense forced a three-and-out on Marian's next possession and with 2:11 on the clock, Olivet took over at their own 25-yard line. Despite quickly moving the ball to the 43-yard line, a sack and forced fumble by Marian allowed them to finish off the win at 44-36. 

Dhue-Reid completed 30-of-48 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Bennett added two rushing touchdowns on 15 carries, amassing 57 yards on the ground. Vogelmann led the receiving corps with eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, while Lilo contributed five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Olivet is now 5-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Marian improves to 7-1 on the season and 2-0 in the conference. 

Next week the Tigers head to Fort Wayne, Ind. where they will face the Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars.

--ONU--