ANGOLA, Ind. – A NCAA record tying pass play capped off a dominate 47-13 victory for the Trine University football team over visiting Kalamazoo College. The Thunder offense posted 525 yards from scrimmage in the contest.
Trine opened the contest with the ball and quickly drove down the field. After opening the drive with a short pass play and a pair of rushes by junior Xaine Kirby (Sweetser, Ind. / Eastbrook), junior Alex Price (Reading, Mich. / Reading) capitalized on a play action pass for a 20-yard touchdown connection with senior Colin Goebel (Auburn, Ind. / DeKalb).
The team's second drive a few minutes later looked set to be just as successful when the team earned a first-and-goal at the two, but the team would turn the ball over on a fumble. The defense made its first play following the turnover, holding the Hornets to a three-and-out and then junior Kyle Naif (Riverview, Mich. / Riverview) burst through the line to block the ensuing punt attempt, earning the team a safety.
The offense returned to the field and Price once again led a scoring drive ending with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Kale Lawson (Reynolds, Ind. / Tri-County). In the second quarter Goebel Price would connect again for 63-yard pass and senior Ryan Hibbetts (Monticello, Ind. / Twin Lakes) would convert a 46-yard field goal and Trine would take a 26-3 lead into the intermission.
After another defensive stop to start the third quarter, the rushing game came up with an extended drive for the Thunder. Both Joseph Keefe (Marne, Mich. / Coopersville) and Jordan Watson (Ann Arbor, Mich. / Dexter) had solid runs, but Watson finished off the drive with a two-yard touchdown giving the team a 33-3 lead.
Junior Brett Kaylor took over for price in the rest of the third quarter. He led the team to their next touchdown ending a drive with a 29-yard completion to Anthony Latin (Benton Harbor, Mich. / Berrien Springs).
It was neither Kaylor or Price that made history in the contest, but instead Nicholas Christiano (Deltona, Fla. / Spruce Creek) who took over quarterback duties in the fourth quarter. After a goal line stand by the defense, Christiano took the offense to the field deep in their own zone. After barely avoiding the safety on first and second down, the team was pinned at their own one for a third and long play. Christian dropped back and lofted a pass down the left sideline to junior Sheldon Lyall (Canton, Mich. / Salem) who broke away from his defender and ended up in the endzone for a touchdown.
The 99-yard play becomes the longest passing play in Trine University history and ties the NCAA record for longest passing play.
Despite the offensive highlights the defense was what dominated the contest for the Thunder. The unit finished the game with seven sacks for a loss of 63 yards along with the blocked punt. They held Kalamazoo to just 43 yards rushing and 153 yards in the air for a total of under 200 yards.
The Thunder improve to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play. They will continue their season when they face off with the 6-1 (2-1 MIAA) Albion College Britons. The game which will be hosted by Albion is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.