BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – If you have been to an Olivet Nazarene University football game within the last five years, chances are you've seen #14 Jalen Dunnigan and #15 Brian Jenkins lined up on the outside, making a fantastic catch, and taking it down the field for a score.

Before 2018, the ONU football program was starting to find its footing again under Head Coach Eric Hehman, who took over the reins in 2016. The dynamic duo's arrival coincided with the Tigers' resurgence back into relevancy in the fully-loaded Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest league, culminating in a league title and NAIA Playoff appearance in 2020.

"[Brian and Jalen] have played a big part in ONU's football resurgence, helping the team win a conference championship, make the playoffs, and be nationally ranked," said Hehman. "When they are in the game, you know you always have a shot to score."

And score they have. Since Dunnigan joined the team in 2018 and Jenkins a year later in 2019, the pair has combined for 285 receptions, 4781 yards, and 60 touchdowns in the Purple and Yellow Gold. Both players have hauled in over 25 touchdowns and eclipsed the 2,000 receiving-yards milestones.

Not only did the duo find success on the field, they found family in the locker room. Both players spoke to how much the team, the coaching staff, and the university mean to them.

"In high school, I wasn't highly recruited," said Dunnigan. "I only had one offer and it was here. My coaches and family urged me to just take a visit and the rest was history. The coaches made me feel like family, especially Coach [Calvin] Renfroe."

"The football team means a lot to me. Our coaches emphasize that this is a family and the team has given me life-long friendships and connections that I value on-and-off the field."

"What brought me to ONU was the teammates and coaches," Jenkins said. "I came on multiple visits and being around the players and coaches made me feel like I was at home. The amount of love and support they showed me led me to commit to this university. I feel that following Coach Hehman's core values helped me progress not only as a player but as a man, as well."

Dunnigan, a Jacksonville, Fla. native out of University Christian High School, currently has 162 receptions, 2,312 yards, and 27 touchdowns, which are all top-five marks in ONU history.

Currently, Jenkins has 123 receptions, 2,468 receiving yards, and 33 touchdowns. The senior from West Lafayette, Ind. is now the single-season receiving touchdowns program-record holder with his 12 scores this season, breaking a 25-year-old school record set by Dan Adams who scored 10 in 1997.

When all is said and done, Jenkins and Dunnigan will be the first names you will see when you open the ONU football record books for many years to come; Jenkins' 33 touchdown grabs and Dunnigan's 27 rank first and second all-time for the Tigers.

And they have a chance to add more. The Tigers will be taking on the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions in the 2022 NCCAA Victory Bowl in Waxahacie, Texas on Friday.

"Jalen and Brian have been exceptional players for ONU," said Hehman. "They will go down as two of the all-time greats in ONU football history."

--ONU—

*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu