Bourbonnais, Ill. - The Central Methodist Football program fell to Olivet Nazarene University by a score of 34-20 in a non-conference matchup Saturday afternoon in Bourbonnais, Ill.
The Eagles fall to 1-5 overall while the Tigers now stand at 3-2.
Central pulled out in front early on a 28-yard field goal from Oscar Simon to put CMU up 3-0 following their opening possession. On the ensuiing drive, the Tigers answered with a field goal of their own to tie the game at the 5:40 mark of the first quarter.
A CMU three-and-out gave the ball back to the ONU offense with a change to take the lead with any score. On fourth and two for the Tigers at the Eagles' 48, a fumble by ONU's running back was recovered by Lontas Mcclinton who returned it 20 yards to the Tiger 15, giving CMU's offense great field position.
It took only three plays for Central to find the endzone, as senior quarterback Joe Cambridge scampered 10 yards for a rushing touchdown, putting CMU up 10-3 at the conclusion of the first.
Central's defense stalled the Tigers' offense on their next possession, and CMU responded with a seven-play 67-yard scoring drive. The drive was capped by a 15 yard touchdown pass from Cambridge to Arron Edwards to give CMU a two-touchdown lead.
Olivet Nazarene answered with back-to-back touchdown drives to tie the game at 17-17, which would prove to be the score entering the halftime break.
A field goal from the Tigers on their opening possession of the third put them out in front for the first time in the game, 20-17. Central's offense stalled, and ONU added on to its lead with a two-yard rushing touchdown.
ONU forced an interception deep in Eagles' territory, giving the Tigers an opportunity to pad their 10-point lead. Olivet Nazarene capitlized on the Eagles' mistake with back-to-back rushing plays, with the second rush finding the endzone from 15 yards out.
Central found its first points of the half on the final drive of the afternoon, as Simon converted a 20-yard field goal attempt, making the final score 34-20 in favor of the Tigers.
CMU generated 314 total yards of offense, including 124 on the ground. Kam Cole averaged 4.3 yards/rush on 16 carries, while Drake Dudley recorded five catches for 65 yards.
Mcclinton finished the afternoon with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery to set up CMU's first touchdown drive of the game. KeShawn Wilson finished with eight tackles, while Le'Marcus Washington recorded five tackles and a blocked an extra point.
Central returns home to host No. 21 Benedictine College Saturday, Oct. 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Field.
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