Sleight scores a MIAA and school single-game record seven touchdowns

Olivet College junior Travis Sleight (Battle Creek/Lakeview) scored a school and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) single-game record seven touchdowns as the Fighting Comet football team defeated MIAA rival Albion College, 58-35, this afternoon before 4,244 fans at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium and Morley Fraser Field in Albion.

The previous school record was four touchdowns five different times, and the MIAA record was six by Brandon Graham from Hope College during the 1996 season. With the win, the Comets defeated the Britons for the first time since the 1975 season, and the last time Olivet (8-2, 5-2 MIAA) had eight victories in a season was 1967.

Furthermore, Olivet has never won more than eight games in a season. They also had eight victories in 1901 and 1961.

Albion (7-3, 5-2 MIAA) scored on its first series of the game on 25-yard touchdown pass by Steve Wasil to Mike Matway. Olivet answered with an 11-play, 68-yard drive capped off by a two-yard run by Sleight. Junior Justin Hunwick (Sterling Heights/Stevenson) converted the point-after-touchdown kick.

Olivet's defense forced the Britons to punt on their next possession. In a drive that spanned the final 5:01 of the first quarter and the first 2:31 of the second quarter, Sleight had a 14-yard touchdown run. The PAT kick was missed, ending a sting of 12 successful PAT kicks by Hunwick. Albion took a 14-13 lead midway though the second quarter on a three-yard run by Dustin Louwaert.

Olivet again answered with a six-play scoring drive with sophomore Jared Dell (Mendon) scoring from eight yards out. Dell also ran the ball for a two-point conversion for a 21-14 lead. Louwaert and the Britons marched down the field to tie the game at 21-21 with 2:28 left in the first half. The Comets regained the lead, 28-21, with 13 seconds left before halftime on a two-yard jaunt by Sleight.

Albion tied the game, 28-28, with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter. The Britons then forced Olivet to punt the ball away for the first time. On the punt, an Albion player touched the ball near the goal line and then batted the ball out of the endzone. After discussing the play, the officials ruled a safety and two points for Olivet.

In the fourth quarter, the Comets outscored Albion, 28-7. Sleight scored each of the Olivet touchdowns on one, 11 and 42-yard runs and an eight-yard reception. On defense, a fumble recovery by sophomore Blake Wagner (Belding) and a 35-yard interception return by junior Ryan Hayes (Livonia/Franklin) sealed the Comet victory.

For the game, Olivet outgained Albion, 587-388, in total offense. The Comets also had a 477-128 edge in rushing yards. Senior Mick Faasen (Belding) led the ground attack with 164 yards. Sleight 161 rushing yards along with four catches for 80 yards. Senior quarterback Rick Mason (Belding) completed six-of-six passes for 110 yards. Hunwick nailed six-of-seven PAT kick attempts.

Defensively, sophomore Eric Smith (Nashville/Maple Valley) topped the team with eight tackles. Sophomore Cliff Sims (Reed City) had seven tackles. Hayes was credited with four tackles and two pass break-ups.

Albion was led by Louwaert with 19 carries for 120 yards. Wasil completed 15-of-23 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. Craig Nabozny caught four passes for 49 yards. Ryan Williams had three catches for 95 yards. Anthony Russo led the Briton defense with 17 tackles, including 12 solo stops.