FOOTBALL: Olivet Preview
Alma College Scots (3-1, 3-4) Vs. Olivet College Comets (4-0, 4-3)
The Match Up
Both the Scots and the Comets are coming off big conference wins as Alma defeated rival Albion College by the score 30-22 and Olivet edged out Tri-State 24-21.
This game will be a match up of two teams with contrasting strengths and philosophies as the Scots bring in the number two ranked offense in the MIAA and Olivet brings in the number two ranked defense. The one things these two teams have in common is the need to win this game to stay in the hunt for the MIAA Championship. The Scots are one game behind both Olivet and Hope College in the loss column and need to win this game and to stay in the race.
Scouting the Comets
Despite being ranked in the bottom half of the MIAA in every statistical category offensively, the Comets have managed to outscore their opponents 121-35 in conference play. Olivet plays a run heavy, ball control style offense that depends on smart decisions and their defense being able to shut down their opponents. So far this season, this style of play has worked for the Comets as their defense has stifled their MIAA opponents and they lead the league in turnover ratio.
Rob White has taken the majorit of the snaps for Olivet and has completed nearly 64 percent of his passes, going 95 for 149 with seven interceptions and six touchdowns. In seven games played, he is averaging about 145 yards/game. White’s favorite target has been Chris Smith who leads the team in catches with 36 and is averaging close to 70 yards a game. Smith has also caught all seven of White’s touchdown passes this season.
The strong Comet’ rushing attack has mostly been carried by Pat Clasgens who is averaging over 100 yards a game on the ground. His six plus yards per carry is outstanding and his four rushing touchdowns, including a 69 yard scamper, show that he has explosiveness to go along with power.
The strength of the Olivet Football team is no doubt its defense as they rank in the top three of every category in the MIAA and have single handedly made the Comets one of the elite teams in the conference.
Hakeem Yakubu has reeked havoc on opposing teams all season and leads the comets with 71 total tackles, including eight for losses, and four sacks. DeRan Thomas has also played outstanding for Olivet, racking up 54 total tackles, six and a half for loss. Alex Hill, Michael Terranova, and Nate Hughes have been huge for the Comets, each recording four interceptions and each getting in on 36+ tackles this season.
The ability of the Scots to take care of the ball against the Olivet ball hawking secondary may be the determining factor in this game.
Last Week’s Action: Alma 30, Albion 22
The Alma College Football Team defeated Albion College today by the score 30-22 to improve to 3-1 MIAA play and to set themselves up for a big match up against 4-0 Olivet this week.
The Scots got a break early as a bad snap led to an Albion safety, giving the Scots the 2-0 lead - a lead Alma would not relinquish the entire game.
The Scots offense scored their first points of the game behind a seven play, 45 yard drive that was capped off by a one yard run by senior ace back Kyle Ryan (Reese/Reese). Albion responded with a touchdown of their own making the score 9-7 going into the second quarter. The Scots got the only touchdown of the second quarter on the back of another one yard touchdown run by Ryan and added another score in the opening moments of the second half as sophomore Mackenzie McGrady (Portland/Portland) capped off an eight play, 62 yard drive, with a two yard touchdown scamper.
Alma followed an Albion 21 second touchdown drive with a quick touchdown of their own as McGrady found Jeremy Stephens (Maple Rapids/Fulton) on a 16 yard touchdown strike, making the score 30-14 going into the fourth quarter. Albion added another touchdown late, but the Scots managed to run the clock out in the fourth quarter to take home the 30-22 win.
McGrady ended the game with 279 total yards and two touchdowns, completing 15 of 24 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown and running for another 90 on 17 attempts. Ryan had a great day toting the rock for the Scots, racking up 114 yards on 21 carries on his way to two touchdowns. Senior Joe Cline (Ithaca/Ithaca) and Stephens each had four catches, going for 80 and 66 yards respectively.
The Scots defense may have played their best game of the year, holding the Britons to only 3 third down conversions on 14 attempts. Leading the way for Alma were Brad Collins (Auburn/Bay City Western) and Brian Lenneman (Portland/St. Patrick's) who both had six tackles in the game. Buddy Scarborough added five tackles and also recorded two key sacks in the victory.
Posted: Thu, October 25th, 2007 at 1:04PM
