ROCKFORD, ILL.-- A shutdown effort by the Trine defense led the Thunder to a 27-7 victory over Rockford in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Sam Greeley Field.
The Trine defense held the Regents to 273 yards of total offense and were once again solid on third down, limiting the opposition to 4-of-18 (22 percent on third-down). Rockford was able to convert on just 1-of-6 fourth-down opporunities (17 percent), with the Thunder defense getting four fourth-down stops in their own territory. The defense recorded four sacks, forced a fumble and picked off two passes. Aaron Wolf (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) tied for the team lead with nine stops, including 2.5 sacks. Michael Spears (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) recorded nine tackles and picked off a pass. Christian Chase (Jackson, Mich./Lumen Christi) added an interception and two break-ups. Trine improves to 2-1 on the season with the win. Rockford falls to 1-2.
Gage Corner (Leo, Ind./Leo) caught seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown for his sixth career game with 100-plus receiving yards. Brandon Rooze (West Lafayette, Ind./Benton Central) came off the bench to throw for 158 yards and pair of TDs. Austin Shoemaker (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North) added 75 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Trine outgained Rockford by a 396-273 margin.
Andrew Stochl completed 14-35 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target on the afternoon was Dane Kirk, who caught eight passes for 73 yards. Michael Krieter picked off two passes for the Regents.
A fourth-down stop on a short field set up the first touchdown of the game for the Thunder. Rockford took over first-and-10 at the Trine 19, but the Thunder defense stood tall to force incompletions on third and fourth down. After a 22-yard rush by Shoemaker, Rooze hit Corner for a 64-yard TD-strike and a 7-0 Trine lead. Corner's effort moved him into seventh on Trine's all-time list in career receiving yards with 1,228.
Neither team was able to muster anything until a 16-play, 80-yard Trine drive gave the Thunder a two-score lead late in the first half. Trine converted two third-downs and one fourth down on the drive, which was capped by a three-yard TD pass from Rooze to Zachary Hess (Eagle, Mich./Grand Ledge) to make the score 14-0 going into the half.
A three-and-out forced by the Trine defense set up the next score. On a fourth-and-short, freshman Mark Wilson (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence Central) broke loose for a 37-yard TD run and his first collegiate touchdown to make the score 21-0 early in the 3rd quarter.
The Regent offense answered on the ensuing drive with a big play for the score. Stochl hit Milton Phillips for a 44-yard touchdown strike to cut the score to 21-7 with 6:16 remaining in the third quarter.
The Thunder defense yielded no more the rest of the way, forcing a fumble and a punt before forcing two turnovers-on-downs deep in their own territory. Trine got stops on fourth-and-goal from the three-yard line and fourth-and-two from the 24.
Spears and Chase picked off passes on the next two Rockford possessions, and Shoemaker added a 12-yard touchdown run with 1:08 remaining to seal the victory.
Trine will get a bye week before hosting Alma on Homecoming. Kickoff on Oct. 4 is set for 1 p.m. at Shive Field and Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium.
