BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The RV Olivet Nazarene University football team concluded their 2021 season in a defensive battle with the Lakers of Roosevelt University at Ward Field on a brisk Senior Day Saturday afternoon. 

The first quarter was dominated by defense by both teams.  There were a combined five punts, three by Roosevelt and two by Andrew Ryczek.  There was one forced turnover by the Lakers as well.  The Tigers saw the offensive production from Cameron Crouch, who had 55 yards passing, and Evan Leake, who had 22 rushing yards.  Damien Savage, on the defensive side of the ball, led the Tigers with five tackles, while reigning MSFA Midwest and NAIA Defensive Player of the Week, Jason Freeman, had four tackles.  The two teams did not break the scoring column in the first quarter. 

After the first two possessions of the second quarter were punts, the Tiger defense made a statement on the next Laker offensive drive.  Patryk Ryczek capped off the defensive possession for the Tigers with an interception in the endzone.  The two teams still were deadlocked at zero.  The Tigers finally broke opening the scoring on their next defensive possession.  On 4th-and-four from the RU 19, Tyler Haase's punt was blocked by Brayden Cook and was taken back by Lucas Eckles for a touchdown making the score, 7-0. 

The Tigers led 7-0 at the half.  Andrew Ryczek was the story for the Tigers as he punted the ball four times for 133 yards with his long being 40 and pinning the Lakers inside their 20-yard line twice.  Freeman led the Tigers with nine tackles and Savage amassed eight.  Joshua Anderson picked up a sack for 11 yards as well. 

Halftime: RV Olivet Nazarene 7, Roosevelt 0

After the Tigers punted the ball out of the half, Roosevelt scored their lone touchdown of the game on a 20-yard touchdown reception.  That tie was short-lived until the Tigers found the endzone on their next possession.  Aaje Grayson hit the ground running to start the drive with three carries for 24 yards. Then, Leake carried the ball 18-yards on the next play, putting the ball on the RU 10.  A few plays later, on 4th-and-one, Crouch handed it off to Jared Honey for a one-yard touchdown rush.  After the Andrew Ryczek extra point, the Tigers led 14-7.  The Tigers led by that same, 14-7, going into the fourth quarter. 

On the first Laker drive, of the fourth quarter, the Tigers made another key defensive stop.  To cap off a 17-play 87-yard drive, Andre Stephens picked off Laker quarterback Jack Sheehan in the endzone as the score held at 14-7. 

The Tiger defense kept up the pressure on what proved to be the final hope for the Lakers.  On a 4th-and-10, with two minutes left, Sheehan's pass was intercepted by Freeman and he returned it 47-yards down to the RU 31-yard line to seal the 14-7 victory for the Tigers on Senior Day. 

GAME VITALS

Final: RV Olivet Nazarene 14, Roosevelt 7

Records: RV Olivet Nazarene: 7-3 (5-2 MSFA) | Roosevelt: 4-6 (3-4 MSFA)

Location: Ward Field | Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais, Ill.

QUICK HITS

• Freeman led all tacklers with 21 tackles, while Savage and Drew Hanft followed with 13 and 10 respectively. 
• Freeman, Ryczek, and Stephens all had interceptions. 
• Andrew Ryczek punted seven times for 236 yards.
• Leake led the Tigers rushing attack with nine carries for 56 yards. 
• The Tigers amassed 119 total return yards. 

The ONU Department of Athletics would like to wish the 24 Tiger senior football players and support staff on their future endeavors. 

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu