DEERFIELD, Ill. - Trinity International's defense kept the Trojans within striking distance for much of the day, but the offense struggled in a 22-6 loss to the visiting Olivet Nazarene Tigers, Saturday afternoon at Leslie Frazier Field.
Box Score | Season StatsThe Trojans scored their lone touchdown of the day on the final play of the first quarter, when
Leland Orrin picked up a fumble and returned the ball 42 yards for the score. Orrin's first career touchdown followed a safety for Olivet Nazarene, as the Tigers blocked a punt from deep in the TIU end zone.
Ryan Mowen's safety punt was returned to near midfield, where
Bayley Pierson forced the loose ball for Orrin to scoop and score, giving the Trojans a 6-2 lead after a quarter.
Trinity would not enter the red zone again until midway through the third quarter. Olivet Nazarene moved in front before the first half, using a 18-play, 80-yard drive resulting in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Zach Gross to Charles DeLoach. On their next possession, ONU used a 23-yard chip shot field goal to take a 12-6 lead they would hold going into the halftime break.
The TIU defense held strong at the start of the third quarter, keeping Olivet pinned inside their own 35 for their first two second-half drives. Trinity would get another shot to take the lead after a bad punt set the Trojans up on the ONU 44 yardline. The TIU drive stalled at the 14 yardline, after a 4th down conversion fell incomplete.
Olivet added to their lead on the next drive, going 67 yards in 15 plays, as Nick Paquet connected on a 35-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 15-6 lead with 2:38 left in the 3rd quarter.
Midway through the 4th, ONU took a two-possession lead with their final score of the day, a seven-yard touchdown pass that finished a 44-yard drive and put the Tigers ahead 22-6.
Cory Windle and
Brad Hargis led the Trojan receiving corps with four receptions each. Windle collected a team-high 58 yards on the day, while Hargis collected 50 yards of his own. On the defensive end,
Mauricio Portillo led the team with a career-high 22 tackles, just one shy of the single-game TIU record.
Riley Schussler, who holds that record, collected 18 tackles on the day.
The Trojans wrap up the current four-game homestand next Saturday, when they host the Robert Morris Eagles. Kickoff from Frazier Field is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17.
