ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian football returned home after three straight road games to take on an undefeated Calvin team in front of a lively Homecoming crowd. The Knights entered Docking Stadium receiving votes in the D3football.com Top 25 poll. The Bulldogs entered the weekend on a six-game winning streak on Homecoming weekend, but a three-game losing streak.
On their first drive of the game, the Bulldogs found themselves staring at a 4th and 1 from their own 44-yard line. Trey Bruggerman was called upon to gain the first down, keeping the drive alive. The drive fizzled out after a sack and penalty, forcing a Bulldog punt.
Calvin put together a 14-play opening drive. While knocking on the Adrian red zone, a penalty put the Knights at a 2nd and 15. The Bulldogs' defense took advantage of the opportunity, forcing Calvin to settle for a field goal.
After converting on third down, Adrian went to the air from their own 42-yard line. Wright found Braiden Whitaker for a 58-yard touchdown pass to give the Bulldogs the lead. A blocked extra point kept the game at 6-3 in favor of the Bulldogs.
The Knights' offense didn't have an answer for the Adrian defense. They weren't able to move the ball past the 50-yard line to start the second quarter and punted for the first time today.
The Bulldogs moved the chains while they looked to extend their lead. Despite a penalty by the Knights and great field position, the offense was forced to punt for the second time today. Cooper Tracy's punt pinned Calvin within their own five-yard line.
Despite having their backs against the wall, the Knights' offense was able to drive down the field, giving them a red zone opportunity. On third and goal, a pass interference penalty on the defense gave the Knights' offense new life. Not settling for a field goal, the Calvin offense wasn't able to convert on fourth down. After 21 plays, Calvin turned the ball over on downs.
Taking over with tough field position, Adrian wasn't able to get anything going offensively. The punt return for the Knights placed them at the Adrian 25-yard line. A pass interference call moved the offense into the red zone. This time Calvin capitalized on the opportunity, giving them a 10-6 lead at the half.
The second half opened up with a Calvin punt. Adrian's answer was a 14-play drive, taking them into the red zone. After converting on fourth down earlier in the drive, the Bulldogs weren't able to convert on 4th and 1.
Multiple penalties on the Adrian defense aided the Knights' offense in moving the ball down the field. The Bulldogs had a chance to force a punt, but a 37-yard touchdown pass on third down gave the Knights a 17-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Adrian's offense showed some life on the ensuing drive, piecing together another 11-play drive. The drive sputtered out at the Calvin 29-yard line, and a missed field goal prevented the Bulldogs from cutting into the lead.
Once again, the Adrian defense forced a punt and started their next drive at their own 20-yard line. Calvin intercepted a pass from Wright, but fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Adrian. The next play was a 35-yard reception by Whitaker. A Calvin sack set up a critical 4th and 20 from the Knights' 30-yard line. A tipped pass fell to the turf, ending the Adrian drive and giving Calvin the ball back with only four minutes left.
Calvin killed two minutes on the clock before attempting a punt. A bad snap forced a turnover on downs, giving Adrian the ball in the red zone.
Wright found Whitaker for six for the second time today to bring Adrian within five. The Bulldogs failed to convert the two-point conversion, trailing with less than a minute to play.
Calvin recovered the onside kick and kneeled their way to a victory, 17-12. It is the Knights' first victory over Adrian in the program's three-year history.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will have a bye week next week, before looking to get back on track on the road against Hope College on October 17 at 2 PM.
