ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University football team dropped their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) of the season falling to Albion College by the score of 31-24. The Thunder struck first in the contest but 21 straight points from the Britons was too much for the team to overcome.
The Thunders started the contest with the ball and quickly worked their way down the field. After an opening run from junior Xaine Kirby (Sweetser, Ind. / Eastbrook), the Thunder picked up a large chuck of yardage through the air. Junior Alex Price (Reading, Mich. / Reading) connected with Anthony Latin (Benton Harbor, Mich. / Berrien Springs) for 44 yards to give the team a first and ten inside the Albion 30 yard line. Price then finished off the drive with an 18-yard connection with junior Kyran Pearson (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Central) to give the team a 6-0 lead.
The Britons quickly responded scoring their own touchdown just over a minute later and were able to convert the extra point to take a 7-0 lead. Then after the ensuing Thunder drive ended in a punt, Albion drove down the field again and scored another touchdown before the end of the quarter to make the score 14-6. A final touchdown to start the second quarter gave the Britons a 21-6 lead.
Finally, the Thunder were able to respond on offense, when Price connected with sophomore Connor Arthur (Bryan, Ohio / Bryan) for a 64-yard touchdown to pull back within a score at 21-13.
The teams traded punts over the next few drives, Albion would find the endzone next going 78 yards to take a 28-13 lead which they would carry into halftime.
After a slow start by both teams to start the second half, Albion converted a field goal attempt to take what would be their largest lead of the contest at 31-13.
Halfway through the fourth quarter the Thunder cut into that lead with a 32-yard field goal from senior Ryan Hibbetts (Monticello, Ind. / Twin Lakes) making the score 31-16.
The defense then held strong forcing a three and out on the ensuing Albion drive giving the offense the ball back with four minutes remaining int the contest. Price led a quick drive down the field before connecting with Pearson for a second touchdown to cut the deficit to 31-22. Another completed pass gave put the Thunder back within a single score at 31-24.
Trine went for the onside kick in a final bid to tie the game, but Albion recovered the attempt and was able to kneel out the game, handing the Thunder their first MIAA loss of the season.
Price finished the contest going 17 for 27 for 339 yards in the air and three touchdowns, his best game of the season and just the second time he has broken the 300-yard mark in a single contest. The Britons' defense was solid against the run stopping the Trine running crew from ever getting going. It is just the third time this season that the team has finished with less than 100 yards in a game.
Defensively senior Keysean Amison (Sandusky, Ohio / Perkins) led the way for the team with 12 total tackles including eight solo attempts. Sophomore Jamon Gibson (Toledo, Ohio / Central Catholic) came up with a pair of sacks while also finishing the game with seven total tackles. Senior Aaron Dean (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Eastside) had the lone takeaway in the contest with an interception.
The Thunder fall to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in MIAA following the loss. They will continue their season by traveling to face Alma College on Saturday, November 6. The contest is set to start at 1 p.m.
