BOURBONNAIS, IL — The lights were on. The fans were dressed in white. The tailgate brisket was doing its part. And when the Tigers took the field Saturday night, The Jungle was officially back open for business.
The Olivet Nazarene Tigers delivered another statement performance, knocking off Saint Francis (IN) 31–21 in front of an electric White Out crowd.
From the opening whistle, the Tigers came out attacking on both sides of the ball.
Olivet Nazarene jumped out to a 14–0 lead after the first quarter, putting immediate pressure on the Cougars. The Tigers refused to let up in the second quarter, continuing to control the game and pushing their advantage to 28–7 at halftime.
Saint Francis responded coming out of the locker room, scoring the only points of the third quarter to cut into the Tigers’ lead. The Cougars entered the fourth quarter with momentum, but the Tigers’ defense and rushing attack answered when it mattered most.
The fourth quarter turned into a slugfest, with both teams battling through the final minutes. When the dust settled, the Tigers had done enough to secure the 31–21 victory.
Reid Leads Early Charge
Before leaving the game with an injury, quarterback Christian Dhue-Reid delivered another impressive performance, throwing three touchdown passes.
Dhue-Reid’s ability to extend plays and create opportunities when the pocket breaks down continues to be a vital part of the Tigers’ offense. His playmaking ability gave Olivet Nazarene a spark early and helped the Tigers build their commanding halftime advantage.
With Dhue-Reid forced to leave the game, AJ Stowers stepped in at quarterback and helped keep the offense composed.
Stowers provided stability when the Tigers needed it most, allowing the offense to stay on schedule and protect the lead.
Bennett Continues to Be Special
And then, of course, there was Aaron Bennett.
Bennett picked up right where he left off, putting together another impressive night out of the Tigers’ backfield. The running back finished with 139 rushing yards and a touchdown, continuing to establish himself as one of the most dangerous weapons on the Olivet Nazarene offense.
The Tigers once again showed their ability to control the game on the ground, finishing with more than 200 rushing yards.
For Bennett, it was another reminder that the Tigers have a special weapon coming out of the backfield.
Defense Sets the Tone Again
While the offense grabbed the headlines, the Tigers’ defense continued to set the tone.
Olivet Nazarene held Saint Francis to just 236 total yards, including less than 100 rushing yards.
Leading the defensive charge was Hunter Ah Loo, who finished the night with 11 tackles.
The Tigers’ special teams units also played a major role, consistently applying pressure throughout the night and helping keep Saint Francis from finding a rhythm.
Tigers Win the Numbers Battle
The final numbers reflected the Tigers’ control of the game.
Total Offense
Olivet Nazarene — 367 yards
Saint Francis — 236 yards
The Tigers’ balance was on display once again, combining explosive passing plays with a physical rushing attack that produced over 200 yards on the ground.
More importantly, when adversity hit, the Tigers responded.
Coach Mitchell: “Extremely Proud of This Team”
Head Coach Mitchell praised his team’s ability to battle through adversity and finish strong against a quality opponent.
“I’m extremely proud of this team as a whole. We battled through a few adversities throughout the game, which is expected when playing a top-20 opponent with the pedigree that they have. Our defense was stellar, holding our opponent to less than 100 yards rushing. Our special teams units played extremely well by applying pressure all night. Hats off to our offense for closing out the game by rushing for over 200 yards again.”
Welcome Back to the Jungle
There was something special about Saturday night in Bourbonnais.
The White Out brought the fans together. The tailgate brisket delivered. The lights were shining. And the Tigers gave everyone inside the Jungle something to celebrate.
But beyond the atmosphere, this was another important test for a Tigers team that continues to show toughness, balance and resiliency.
The offense continues to find ways to make plays. The defense is limiting opponents on the ground. Special teams are creating pressure. And when adversity strikes, the Tigers are answering.
After a fast start and a hard-fought finish, the Tigers walked away with a 31–21 victory over Saint Francis (IN).
The Jungle wasn’t just open Saturday night. It was rocking.
Final: Olivet Nazarene 31, Saint Francis (IN) 21.
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— Republished from ONU Athletics 9/10/2026 —
