ANGOLA, Ind.—The Trine football team opened its 2016 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association season off with a 35-16 victory over Albion on Saturday afternoon at Zollner Athletic Stadium.

The Trine defense combined for an impressive five sacks on the day including three by Me'Leick Miles (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike). The Thunder also made a season high four interceptions, with Marcus Winters (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) having two for 29 yards. Winters also broke up four of the Britons passes. The Thunder defense held Albion to just 35 rushing yards.  

Brandon Rooze (West Lafayette, Ind./Benton Central) and Evan Wyse (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold) split time at quarterback for the Thunder. Rooze had 11 completions on 18 attempts to total 131 yards. Wyse put up career high numbers on the day rushing 136 yards including running the ball in for a touch down.

Wyse put the Thunder on the board after running for 42 yards on the opening drive for a touchdown. Trine claimed a seven to three lead after the first quarter, holding Albion to just a field goal.

In the second quarter, Rooze threw two touchdown passes. To open the quarter,Rooze found Jeffery Barnett (Fremont, Ohio/Fremont-Ross) with a 33 yard pass to score and followed with a 20 yard completion to Scott McClellan (Huntington, Ind./Huntington North).

In the second half, Albion's Anthony Waite intercepted a pass from Wyse and returned the ball 15 yards for the Britons' first touchdown.

The Thunder and Albion each added another touchdown in the third to give Trine a 28-16 advantage heading into the fourth.

Trine lengthened its lead early in the fourth. Rooze threw two completions to Ty Fischbach (Oxford, Ind./Benton Central) for a total of 25 yards, to put the Thunder within two yards of the goal line. Mark Wilson (Indianapolis, Ind. / Lawrence Central) rushed the ball in to put Trine up 35-16. The Trine defense held Albion scoreless in the fourth helped along by interceptions from Winters and Taylor James (LaPorte, Ind./LaPorte).

Albion's offense was led by quarterback Chad Hamilton. Hamilton had 22 completions for a total of 270 yards. The Britons' passing game was led by Collin Poore with 78 yards. Tyler Sykes had nine completions for 102 yards, while Sean Koski totaled 83 yards.

Trine returns to action on Oct. 15 when it will travel to Kalamazoo for a 2 p.m. kickoff.