KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College football team lost its home opener 21-20 to Bluffton University on Saturday as the Beavers scored a go-ahead touchdown with 30 seconds left in the game to claim the win.
Kalamazoo led 17-0 at halftime after a pair of touchdown passes by Josh Nichols, one for 70 yards to Noah Piercy and another for 34 yards to Bubba Wilson. Ian Burr also made a 20-yard field goal in the half.
Bluffton made it a 17-14 game with a touchdown late in the third quarter and another early in the fourth.
Ian Burr's 22-yard field goal with 7:15 left in the fourth gave the Hornets a 20-14 advantage.
Bluffton took over with 2:29 left to play and converted on two fourth downs to keep the drive alive before scoring on an 11-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds remainng. A made extra point gave the Beavers a 21-20 lead.
A Hornet miscue on the ensuing kickoff gave the ball back to Bluffton who took a knee on the final play to end the game.
Kalamazoo put up 451 yards of total offense while holding Bluffton to 285 yards.
Josh Nichols finished 22-of-34 for 259 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Jon Brunette rushed for 54 yards on 18 carries. Blaze Lauer rushed for 41 yards on five attempts.
Noah Piercy caught two passed for 83 yards with the touchdown. Bubba Wilson had seven catches for 82 yards with a touchdown.
Jamison Brown, Jr. and Payton Fleming were each credited with six tackles to lead the Hornet defense. Nick Lang and Blake Kelsey each had five. Fleming and Kelsey each had a sack.
Kalamazoo is home again next Saturday when the Hornets face Alfred University at 12 p.m.