KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College football team defeated Adrian College 45-23 on a rainy afternoon Saturday at Angell Field.
Kalamazoo went 70 yards on eight plays on its opening drive ending in a 3-yard touchdown run by Jon Brunette to put the Hornets up 7-0. Kalamazoo's defense forced a punt after three plays on Adrian's first drive, which Jonah Spates returned 65 yards for a touchdown to give the Hornets a 14-0 lead.
After an Adrian touchdown made it a 14-7 game, Ian Burr's 37-yard field goal put the Hornets up 17-7 after one quarter.
Jackson Mitchell's 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 12:20 left in the second gave Kalamazoo a 24-7 lead, a score that would hold until halftime.
Adrian kicked a field goal and scored a touchdown in the third quarter, making it 24-16 in favor of Kalamazoo after three.
Jon Brunette scored on a 1-yard run early in the fourth.
A Bulldog touchdown made it a 31-23 game with 9:54 left in regulation. Kalamazoo ran over seven minutes off the clock before Sheldon Riley scored on a 4-yard run with 2:28 remaining. A Hornet fumble recovery on Adrian's next drive set up Conner Bell's 6-yard touchdown run with 1:45 remaining, setting up the 45-23 final.
Adrian outgained Kalamazoo overall, 465 yards to 272. Adrian turned the ball over five times to Kalamazoo's one.
Josh Nichols was 9-of-26 passing for 81 yards.
Jon Brunette ran for 72 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. Sheldon Riley had 56 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown. Nichols rushed for 36 yards on five carries. Conner Bell had 30 yards on 12 carries with a score.
Hunter Kiesling led the receivers with 31 yards on three catches. Jonah Spates had two catches for 26 yards. Lucas Hanifan had two catches for 11 yards.
Madison Barch was 5-for-5 on extra points. Emory Roberts connected on the final extra point.
Adam Stapleton led the Hornet defense with 17 total tackles and a forced fumble. Tommy Kartes was credited with 11 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Noah Jannenga had seven tackles, including a sack.
Blake Kelsey, Jackson Mitchell and Raymond Cargill all had a fumble recovery. Gabe Meyers returned an interception 23 yards.
Kalamazoo is back in action next week Saturday with an MIAA game at Alma College beginning at 1 p.m.