KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College football team won its season opener 42-10 over Oberlin College Saturday afternoon at Angell Field.
Kalamazoo stopped Oberlin's fourth down attempt on the opening drive and took over at the Oberlin 33-yardline. Five plays later, Nate Clark scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Josh Nichols.
Oberlin's fourth down attempt on its next possession was also stuffed and Kalamzoo took over on the Oberlin 34. Nichols found Jonah Spates for a 34-yard score on the first play giving Kalamazoo a 14-0 lead just four minutes into the game.
Oberlin made it 14-3 with a field goal early in the second quarter.
Kalamazoo responded with a 65-yard drive and a Jon Brunette 1-yard touchdown run to make it 21-3 with 10:40 left in the half.
Nichols found Jonah Spates on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds left in the half to give the Hornets a 28-3 lead at the break.
Lucas Hanifan caught a 39-yard touchdown pass from Nichols just 46 seconds into the third quarter. Hanifan scored again late in the third on a 2-yard pass from Nichols putting Kalamazoo up 42-3.
Oberlin found the end zone for the only time with 3:28 left in the fourth.
Oberlin accumulated 449 yards of total offense compared to 421 by Kalamazoo.
Josh Nichols finished 23-of-35 passing for 298 yards and five touchdowns. Dawson Skupin was 3-of-5 for 20 yards.
Conner Bell had 38 yards rushing on two carries. Elijah Blackmon had 31 yards on five carries. Jon Brunette had 15 yards on four carries. Nichols gained 17 on three carries.
Jonah Spates led the Hornet receivers with 67 yards on six catches with two touchdowns. Lucas Hanifan had 60 yards on four catches and two touchdowns. Hunter Kiesling had 54 yards on three catches. Devin Yankee had 49 yards on three catches. Nate Clark had 46 yards on four catches with a touchdown.
Madison Barch was 5-for-5 on extra points, while Emory Roberts connected on his only attempt.
Carson Deines led the Hornet defense with 14 total tackles. Gabe Meyers had nine tackles with an interception. Corey Garrison had eight tackles. Tommy Kartes finished with seven. Brandon Speed also had an interception.
Kalamazoo returns to action next Saturday, Sept. 9 at Kenyon College.