Football Falls 21-17 at Olivet

Anthony Giovanni playing football.
Photo by Kimberly Moss

OLIVET, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College football team's winning streak came to an end with a 21-17 loss at Olivet on Saturday.

After winning the first seven games of the season for the first time since 1962, Kalamazoo is now 7-1 (4-1) and tied for second place in the MIAA.

Olivet (5-3, 3-2 MIAA) was the first team to get on the board with a touchdown with 3:16 left in the first quarter.

Zach VanFaussien connected with Anthony Giovanni for a 31-yard touchdown with 9:09 left in the second quarter. The duo connected again for a 3-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left on the clock giving the Hornets a 14-7 lead at halftime.

Olivet evened the score with a touchdown with 10:03 left in the third quarter.

Greg Kearns' 39-yard field goal put Kalamazoo back on top with 3:10 left in the third, but Olivet's touchdown with 11:40 left in the fourth gave the Comets their second lead of the game.

The Hornets were forced to punt on their next possession. Olivet took over with 9:08 left in regulation and used up the rest of the clock on 15 plays to end the game and secure the win.

Olivet gained 319 yards of total offense while limiting Kalamazoo to 212 yards.

Zach VanFaussien was 17-of-31 passing for 199 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

Anthony Giovanni finished with eight catches for 68 yards with the two scores.

Dylan Padget had four catches for 42 yards while Sam Matthews had one catch for 38 yards. 

Jake Sypniewski led the Hornet defense with 14 total tackles. Jake Osen finished with 13 while Jakob Frederick was credited with ten. Osen and Joe Piet were each credited with a sack.

Kalamazoo is currently tied with Hope (6-2, 4-1 MIAA) for second place in the MIAA. The Hornets travel to Holland for a 1 p.m. kickoff next week.