ALMA, Mich. -- Alma College took an early lead, but the Trine University football team roared back to win comfortably by the score of 37-23. After their opening quarter success, the Thunder defense stifled the Scots, holding them to just 154 total yards.
After a punt from each team to start the game, the Trine offense mad the first mistake of the contest, as the Scots intercepted junior Alex Price (Reading, Mich. / Reading) and returned it 19 yards to the endzone to give the team an early 7-0 lead. Another turnover by the Thunder would give the Alma excellent field position leading to a field goal and giving the Scots a 10-0 lead.
The teams would trade punts for the rest of the first quarter and the start of the second, before the Thunder offense finally found some footing. Price did most of the work on the drive, which started at the teams own 45, completing three passes, the third of which was a 12-yard touchdown to sophomore Rodney Johnson (Houston, Texas / Benjamin O Davis, Jr.). After a failed extra point, the team would trail 10-6.
After a turnover on downs during Alma's next drive Price struck quickly completing a 15-yard pass to junior Kyran Pearson (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Central) and following a successful extra point the team had its first lead of the game at 13-10. That score would hold through to halftime.
Following the intermission, the Thunder defense returned to the field, ready to impose its will on the opposition. On the Scots' opening drive, senior Tyler Pollard (Homosassa, Fla. / Crystal River) picked off a pass and ran it back for a touchdown, giving the team a 20-10 lead.
The next Alma drive ended during its first play, with senior Marc Guerrero (Gary, Ind. / Merrillville) forcing a fumble which the Thunder recovered.
After the Scots forced a fumble of their own on the ensuing drive, the defense did it again, with sophomore Zach Kornak (Hillsdale, Mich. / Hillsdale) grabbing the ball and returning it six yards to the house. The defensive touchdown gave the team a 27-10 lead.
The defense went right back to work forcing a quick punt from Alma on their next drive. Senior Aaron Dean (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Eastside) received the punt and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown of his own giving the team a 34-10 lead.
The rest of the game was relatively quiet, with the Trine defense continuing to stifle the opposition. The offense would add a field goal in fourth quarter to make the team's point total 37. A late touchdown form Alma gave them their final score of 23 and the Thunder would leave with the victory.
The Thunder allowed just 154 yards out of the Scot offense including 102 passing and 52 rushing. All told they finished with four takeaways in the contest. Pollard led the defense finishing with seven total tackles, one coming for a loss, a forced fumble and the interception. Junior Kyle Naif finished the game with five tackles including two for a loss and a sack.
Dean finished the game with an interception in addition to his punt return touchdown.
Offensively Price led the way rushing for 40 yards and completing 10 of 18 passes for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns, he also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Junior Xaine Kirby (Sweetser, Ind. / Eastbrook) finished the game with 69 yards rushing to lead the team. Junior Kale Lawson (Reynolds, Ind. / Tri-County) finished with a team high 76 yards receiving on five receptions.
The team improves to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. The Thunder currently sit in a three-way tie for first in the conference, with Hope College and Albion College being the other two teams currently 4-1. Trine will face off with Hope in their next contest, with a win securing them at least a share of the MIAA title. The game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13.
