ADRIAN, Mich. – Kalamazoo dropped a hard fought 35-21 contest at Adrian Saturday afternoon in MIAA action.

The Hornets are now 4-4 on the season, including 1-4 against conference foes. The Bulldogs stand at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in MIAA play.

Trailing 14-0 after the first quarter, Kalamazoo sliced the deficit in half. Starting at its own 10-yard line, the Hornets converted a third-and-17 when Josh Nichols found Andrew Durbin for a first down. On second-and-12 from the 18-yard line, Nichols hit Lucas Hanifan for a 29-yard gain. Moments later, Conner Bell rushed for four yards before Tyler Houle hauled in a 36-yard pass from Nichols for a touchdown. Emory Roberts' kick made it a 14-7 game with 7:52 to play before halftime.

Adrian answered the touchdown with a 14-play, 75-yard drive for a 21-7 lead at halftime.

Kalamazoo received the ball to start the second half and promptly struck for a touchdown on an eight-play, 75-yard drive. During the drive, Jonah Spates caught an eight-yard pass. On the ensuing play, he recorded an 11-yard catch for a first down. On the 46-yard line, Hanifan posted a 12-yard catch before Nichols hit Nate Clark for a 26-yard dart on the next play. On first-and-goal from the eight-yard line, Nichols called his own number and rushed into the end zone. The extra point from Roberts made it 21-14 with 11:08 to play in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs made it a two-score game at the 8:33 mark of the fourth quarter, but the Hornets battled back. Nichols got the drive going with a 10-yard run. Two plays later, he found Spates for a 24-yard pass. Looking at a third-and-19, Spates hauled in a 29-yard pass to the two-yard line. Bell scampered in for the touchdown and the extra point made it 28-21 with 4:15 to play. However, Adrian covered 69 yards on five plays for a 14-point advantage.

For the game, Kalamazoo registered 18 first downs and racked up 282 yards on 56 plays.

Nichols completed 20-of-34 passes for 265 yards with a touchdown. Spates had six catches for 87 yards. Hanifan caught five passes for 53 yards while Houle hauled in two passes for 41 yards and a score.

Raymond Cargill led the defense with 13 tackles, including seven of the solo variety. Carson Deines chipped in 10 tackles in the loss. Cargill and Adam Stapleton each had a tackle for loss. Alex Pepin registered a pass break-up.

Carsen Moat had a punt of 48 yards while Spates had three punts, including two that went for fair catches.  

The Hornets return to action Saturday, Nov. 9, when they host Alma at 1 p.m. It marks the football team's Compete For A Cause Game.