Olivet too strong, Falcons offense explosive in loss

MEQUON, Wis. – In the end Concordia University Wisconsin gained more yards, but critical penalties at inopportune times hurt, as Olivet College earned a 56-42 non-conference victory at Tomasini Stadium.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Olivet 56, Concordia Wisconsin 42
Location: Tomasini Stadium (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Olivet (8-1), Concordia Wisconsin (3-6)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons hard their best passing game of the season and scored five times in the red zone, but they couldn't stay with the Comets who entered with a top-30 ranked offense in the country. CUW amassed a season-best 584 offensive yards, but were hampered by defensive penalties and several special team's struggles.
- Olivet jumped out to a 21-6 lead after one quarter of play and at times looked to be in complete control. They teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter and CUW was on the door step to get within a score, but turned the ball over on downs with seconds to play before halftime.
- The third and fourth quarters were more of the same as Olivet found the end zone, followed by a CUW touchdown scoring drive.
- The Falcons had a pair of 100 yard rushers for the first time this season, to go along with two receivers catching over 100 yards. While statistical the offense had a great game, it was a pair of defensive penalties (illegal use of hands, personal foul) that allowed Olivet to continue a touchdown scoring drive that put the visitors in front by 15 points, 35-20, midway through the second quarter.
- As well, CUW didn't help itself with getting a punt blocked and missing an extra point. The Falcons did, however, convert their first 2-point conversion of the season in the fourth quarter.
- Sophomore Aaron Nixon (North Prairie, Wis.) connected with six different receivers multiple times in the defeat and ended 26-of-45 passing for three touchdowns. He also ran for a game-high 112 yards and two touchdowns, but did throw two interceptions and get sacked twice.
- Senior Andrew Gatz (Adell, Wis.) had his third-consecutive 100-yard game after accumulating 102 rushing yards on 10 carries (10.2 average) and a 65-yard touchdown run with 3:29 to play in the game.
- Freshman Jameson Radke (Racine, Wis.) stepped up and had a career game with seven receptions for 115 yards, while junior Dante Edwards (Glendale, Ariz.) hauled in six passes for a game-high 135 receiving yards.
- Nixon's go-to target in the red zone was junior Derrick Estfan (Phoenix. Ariz.), who had three touchdown receptions. He ended with five catches for 56 yards. Nixon and Estfan connected for touchdowns of 1, 6 and 3 yards throughout the game.
- Defensively, four Falcons had seven total tackles, with sophomore Richie Guess (Homer Glenn, Ill.) and senior Aaron Krapfl (Anamosa, Iowa) each having six solo tackles. Junior Kevin Kern (Arlington Heights, Ill.) had 3.0 tackles for loss (21 yards), a pass breakup and a sack for 16 yards.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Both teams were equal on third-down conversions, each converting eight attempts.
- Olivet was 8-of-8 on red zone opportunities, while CUW was 5-of-6 inside the 20-yard lilne.
- The Falcons created the only turnover of the game, a fumble forced by __ Kory Boyd (__) on a kickoff return in the early stages of the third quarter. Boyd also recovered the loose ball, which gave CUW possession at the Olivet 33-yard line. The Falcons failed to convert the opportunity into any points.
- The Comets had six pass breakups, compared to the Falcons four. Jaquan Short and Jalen Ewing each had two pass breakups.
- Olivet began the game with touchdowns on its first five scoring drives – all in the red zone – and had three-consecutive in the second half. CUW had three-straight touchdown drives in the opening half (all in the red zone) and three more in the second half.
- The Falcons scoring drives were all over 60 yards and four were at least five plays long. The Comets had six scoring drives of 50 or more yards, with six accounting for at least seven plays.

THE OPPOSITION
- Braden Black passed for 232 yards on 18-of-26 and four touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran for 54 yards on 11 carries.
- Jerome Washington tallied four rushing touchdowns on 17 attempts, to go along with 59 rushing yards.
- The Comets had 193 rushing yards and were held below their season average of 253, which ranked 20th in the country entering the game.
- Kornelius Saxton caught five passes for 40 yards, while Dominik Givens had four catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. Travis Lankerd hauled in a pair of touchdown grabs, while Kyle Bryson ended with a touchdown reception.
- Kornelius Saxton helped the Comets in the kick return game with 161 yards, including a 61-yarder that helped the offense score a touchdown.
- Defensively, Trevor Haas led all players with nine total tackles (five solo) and an interception. Jalen Ewing also intercepted a pass.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- CUW hosts Wisconsin Lutheran in the regular season finale for both teams at 12 pm on Saturday, November 14. The Luther Cup is on the line and third place in the NACC standings.