ANGOLA, Ind. – The 2024 edition of the Border Brawl went to Trine University, with the team pulling away from the visitors from Adrian College during the second half. All told the Thunder came up with a 52-32 victory.

It was the Bulldogs who struck first in the contest. After both team's punted on their first drives, the visitors put together an eight-minute marathon that went 71 yards on 17 plays for the touchdown and seven point lead.

The Thunder then took back the momentum in impressive fashion. First, Saleem Felder broke off a 63-yard rush that gave the team their first trip to the redzone. He followed up a few plays later with an 11-yard touchdown run and after a Colton Wampler kick the game was tied. The defense kept the roll going with Daniel Budwah picking off Adrian's Jake Kelbert and going 40 yards to the house. This time following a extra point by Anthony Hentz Trine took the lead at 14-7.

The Bulldogs picked up their own turnover later in the second quarter, returning the interception to the seven yard line. They capitalized on a trick play just one play later, tying the game at 14. After a punt by the Thunder, Kelbert led a drive mostly through the air to set up a field goal attempt in the waning seconds of the half, giving Adrian a 17-14 lead at the half.

Trine received the kick to start the third and promptly tested the oppositions passing defense. Ivyn Collins completed the team's first pass of the game to Tim Kasper. The 23-yard catch and run put the team into enemy territory. Two incompletions followed, but then Tristan Burrus made a diving catch down the sideline for 40 yards. Mickey Daring scored on the next play with a short rushing touchdown.

The defense forced a quick three and out and Burrus had a nice punt return to give the offense a short field. After three ineffective plays, the team set up to punt or so it seemed. A direct snap went to the upback Cal Lockhart, who proceeded to run for the first down on an 18-yard run. Collins then finished off the drive a few plays later with a 10-yard completion to Kasper. The score gave the team a 28-17 lead.

The Bulldogs responded on their next drive with a touchdown of their own. After a successful two-point conversion the game was back to just a three-point deficit. They attempted to steal a possession on the ensuing kickoff, running a sneaky onside kick that almost paid off, but the officials ruled that the Thunder recovered the kick. With a short field Felder led the drive with a long rush and then a short touchdown run.

After a defensive stop, Collins flipped the field with a 48 yard completion to Rashawn Street that set up another short Daring touchdown run and giving the team a commanding 42-25 lead.

The Bulldogs were loath to go away, responding with another passing heavy drive that ended in an eight-yard touchdown completion. But Konstantine Thrasivoulou put the final nail in the coffin on the resulting kickoff, taking it 92 yards for the touchdown.

The next time the Thunder had the ball they wasted 10 minutes off the clock on a 71 yard drive that ended in a field goal from Hentz. The 52-32 score quickly went final after that.

After a stagnant first half through the air, Collins finished the game a respectable 7-for-14 for 142 yards. He had one touchdown and one interception and recorded 26 rushing yards. Felder was once again a juggernaut on the ground going for 175 yards in the contest, along with two touchdowns. Defensively, Cam McCarver led the way with 10 tackles with Ridge Howard coming in second with seven.

Trine improves to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play following the victory. They will finish their season by traveling to Kalamazoo College on Saturday, November 16. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.