ALMA, Mich. - Five turnovers proved to be the difference as the Trine Thunder took to the field for the final time this season and lost 31-13 on the road at Alma College on Saturday. It was a diverse attack for the Scots, as they would score five different ways and capture their first win of the year.
Fresh off the exciting comeback victory at Olivet a week earlier, the Thunder (1-5, 4-6) turned their collective attention to the north against the Scots (1-5, 1-9). The game remained scoreless until late in the first quarter after Trine dodged a blocked punt by the Scots on the opening drive when Alma couldn't connect on a 21 yard field goal attempt by senior Jack Pryde on the ensuing possession.
After another Trine punt, the Scots marched 83 yards and broke into the scoring column on a 36 yard laser touchdown connection from senior quarterback Jarrett Leister to junior wide receiver Tyler Watters down the right sideline. The Scots led 7-0 after the opening quarter.
It was a defensive battle in the second quarter as each team traded unproductive possessions before the Scots intercepted Trine freshman quarterback Brandon Rooze (West Lafayette, Ind./Benton Central) at the Thunder 24 yard line. But on the very next play, the Trine defense fought back. Sophomore cornerback James Gregory (Akron, Ind./Tippecanoe Valley) crept back into the endzone and plucked away an underthrown pass for this third interception of the year, and the Thunder were back in business.
Rooze connected with freshman running back Frank Vuocolo (Jackson, Mich./Grass Lake) on a 13 yard gain to loosen up the Alma defense. After a pass interference penalty on the Scots, Rooze went deep and hooked up with junior Anthony Yoder (Goshen, Ind./Concord) on a 41 yard pass to set the Thunder up at the Alma five yard line. It was back to Vuocolo on the next play, as the freshman burst up the middle into the endzone to tie things up at 7-7 with 6:41 left in the half.
The momentum didn't last long for the Thunder. On the ensuing kick, Watters struck again. This time, he weaved his way through the Thunder defenders for a 97 yard kick return for a touchdown. It was the fourth-longest return in Alma history, as the Scots took a 14-7 lead.
A 31 yard field goal by senior placekicker Tyler Keck (Elkhart, Ind/Elkhart Memorial) on the next drive cut the Alma lead to 14-10.
Trine grabbed the ball right back after an empty possession by the Scots, when freshman cornerback Devan Emerson (Elkhart, Ind./Jimtown) partially blocked the punt and the Thunder recovered at the Alma 35 late in the second quarter. But the drive stalled again, and Trine settled for another 31 yard field goal off the right leg of Keck to head into the halftime break, down 14-13.
Trine's defense started well in the second half as they forced a punt by the Scots on the opening drive of the third quarter. But Alma head coach Greg Pscodna dipped into his bag of tricks as Watters scored for the third time on the afternoon on a fake punt and sprinted 41 yards into the endzone to give the Scots a 21-13 lead.
The score remained that way until early in the fourth quarter. Rooze dropped back and his pass was intercepted by Alma senior Austin McClelland and returned 34 yards the other way for a touchdown as the Scots built a 28-13 advantage.
The Thunder then turned to junior quarterback Andrew Dee (McComb, Ohio/McComb). On his first pass of the day, he fired a missile into the waiting arms of Alma linebacker Eric Strickler and the Scots had their fourth interception. Three plays later, Pryde sailed a 26 yard field goal through the uprights for the final points to give the Scots a 31-13 victory.
Trine ended up tossing a season-high five interceptions, the most in a game since 2005.
It was a big day for Vuocolo, as he led all rushers with a career-high 133 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Richard Gunn (Ashley, Ind./Penn) battled an injury and ended with just two carries. He finished the year with 1,154 yards and seven touchdowns. It was the third-highest rushing total for a season in Trine University history.
Rooze connected on 13-26 passes for 121 yards and three interceptions.
Sophomore Gage Corner, (Leo, Ind./Leo) junior Zac Hess (Eagle, Mich/Grand Ledge) and Vuocolo each had four catches. Corner ended the season with 62 grabs, the third highest total in the history of the program.
The defense was led in tackles by freshman Jarred Finnerman (Sturgis, Mich/Sturgis) and senior Jim West (Berne, Ind/South Adams) with eight each.
In addition to the interception, Gregory also recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter.
Senior Louis Danesi (Sante Fe, Texas/Sante Fe) and junior Aaron Wolf (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) each recorded a sack. Danesi ends with the most career sacks in school history with 19.
Keck finished the campaign with 16 field goals, the second highest total ever for a Thunder kicker.
The 4-6 final record breaks the streak of six consecutive winning seasons for the Thunder.