BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- The TIU football team took to the road on Saturday afternoon as they took on the Tigers of Olivet Nazarene University at Ward Field in Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League action. Following a seven-point win last week at home over Missouri Baptist, the Trojans looked to carry their success into their final road game of the season against a tough matchup against the reigning league champions.
ONU scored a pair of touchdowns on two of their first four possession on the afternoon, jumping ahead 13-0 early in the second quarter. Quarterback Derrick Taylor would help put the Trojans on the scoreboard, connecting with Khalid Humphreys for a 13-yard touchdown reception. Following an Aaje Grayson ten-yard scoring play for the Tigers, TIU entered the halftime break trailing the Tigers by a score of 20-6.
The Trinity defense would struggle to slow down Olivet Nazarene on offense in the second half, despite a forced fumble and interception by Lorente Blakeney. TIU would make strides in their running game with a 105-yard performance from running back Derek Lowe, but could not find the end zone. Trailing 34-6 early in the fourth quarter, Taylor found Lowe on a nine-yard touchdown pass for Trinity's second scoring drive of the day. ONU would march down the field and score two plays later on the following possession for the final score of the game, handing TIU the 41-14 loss on the road.
Taylor ended the day with 265 passing yards on 28 completions with two touchdowns passes and one interception. In addition to one touchdown catch, Humphreys recorded 84 receiving yards. On defense, Kemon Reese and Lorenzano Blakeney led the blue and white with ten tackles each. Logan Shears notched TIU's lone sack on the afternoon, while Steven Williams III joined Lorente Blakeney in recording one interception.
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ADDITIONAL NOTES
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With their loss to the Tigers on Saturday, TIU falls to 7-25 all-time against Olivet Nazarene on the gridiron. The Trojans have not beaten ONU since 2013.
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Quarterback Derrick Taylor's two touchdown passes give him 11 on the season, and 20 on his career.
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Derek Lowe's 105 rushing yards, which are a career-high for the senior running back, mark just the second game this season TIU has posted over 100 net rushing yards.
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Lowe's 105 yards on the ground mark his first 100 yard rushing game since Nov. 10, 2018 against St. Francis (IL)
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Khalid Humphrey's second quarter touchdown reception from Taylor was his fourth of the season, and sixth of his career.
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Lowe's fourth quarter touchdown catch was his second of the year, and sixth of his collegiate career.
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Steven Williams III notched his team-best fifth interception of the season in the first quarter of Saturday's loss. Williams, who has posted six career takeaways, leads the entire MSFA in interceptions this season, and is tied for 11th most in the NAIA.
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Lorente Blakeny's fourth quarter interception of ONU quarterback Cameron Crouch was the first of his career. Blakeney also forced his first career fumble in TIU's loss.
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UP NEXT
The Trojans (3-7) return to the field next Saturday, November 13 as they host the Judson University Eagles in the final game of the 2021 season at Leslie Frazier Field. The program's senior players will be honored prior to kickoff, which is scheduled for 12:00pm CT. Fans can also watch the game LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network.
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Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.
