Central Methodist surrendered an early two-touchdown lead to lose by 14 against non-conference opponent Olivet Nazarene University, 34-20, on Saturday afternoon in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

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 ensuing 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 chance to take the lead with any score. But the Tigers would fumble the ball trying to convert a four-and-two situation at midfield. CMU’s Lontas Mcclinton scooped the ball and returned it 20 yards to the Tiger 15-yard line to set up the Eagles with outstanding 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 quarter.

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 at halftime.

The Tigers took their first lead on a go-ahead field goal during their opening possession of the third quarter. Central’s offense stalled, and ONU added to its lead with a two-yard rushing touchdown.

ONU later forced an interception deep in Eagles’ territory, giving the Tigers an opportunity to pad their 10-point lead. Olivet Nazarene capitalized on the Eagles’ mistake with back-to-back rushing plays, the second of which found the endzone from 15 yards out. 

Central’s offense struggled throughout the second half, with the only score coming on a 20-yard field goal by Simon in the Eagles’ final possession of the afternoon.

CMU generated 314 total yards of offense, including 124 on the ground. Kam Cole averaged 4.3 yards per 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 blocked an extra point.

Central returns home on Saturday to host No. 21 Benedictine College. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Davis Field.