ANGOLA, Ind. – Nationally recognized Alma College, who are receiving votes in both national polls, defeated the Trine University football team by the score of 48-28. RJ West II was the lone bright spot offensively in the contest, leading the team in both rushing and passing.
The Thunder won the toss and deferred their decision to the second half, giving the Scots the first crack on offense. The home defense made two good plays to start the drive, holding a rush to a no gain and then breaking up a pass, Emil Drake specifically, to force a third and ten. Alma converted the play and then again later in the drive when they faced a fourth down attempt.
After a quick three and out by the Trine offense, the Scots made their lead 14-0 with their second touchdown of the day.
West found his groove in the team's second chance on offense, moving into a hurry up strategy and connecting on a host of intermediate passes. West spread the ball around during the drive, connecting with three different receivers and making two long scrambles. Cortaveon Barnett finished the drive with a one yard touchdown.
Alma scored again on their next drive, building the lead back to 14 at 21-7. That score held into the second quarter, but only just, with the Thunder hitting back. This time West connected with Owen Hebberd for the touchdown. Hebberd ultimately proved to be the favored target in the game finishing with 95 yards on 11 receptions.
Alma continued their marches down the field however, scoring two touchdowns before the end of the half and taking a 35-14 lead into the break.
West led another scoring drive out of halftime, with Barnett and Craig Nichols adding yards on the ground. Nichols capped the drive after five minutes with a touchdown up the middle.
The Scots proceeded to eat up seven minutes of clock on their next drive, ending in the fourth and final touchdown run by Eddie Williams. The senior back finished the game with 173 yards rushing and 48 yards receiving.
The next two possessions by the Thunder ended in turnovers, the first on a forced throw down the sideline and the other on downs inside of the ten. After the second it looked like Alma would run out the clock on the game, but Roman Schrock chased down Williams and forced a fumble that he then recovered with 6:20 remaining.
West led another successful drive, finding Hebberd for most of the way including on the final 11 yard touchdown completion. Despite the score, the clock proved too much of an enemy with the Scots able to run out the clock on their next possession to send the game to final at 42-28.
West finished the game 36 of 49 with 309 yards passing. He added a team high 93 yards on the ground despite being sacked three times. Tristan Burrus ended the game with 64 receiving yards and Gianni Pisano came in third with 57.
Defensively Cole Basey led the team with 13 tackles. In addition to his forced fumble and recovery, Schrock was second on the team with nine tackles and a pass break up. Jahari Branch finished third on the team with eight tackles.
The Thunder fall to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play after the loss. They will head to Adrian, Michigan for 2025 edition of the Border Brawl next Saturday, November 8. Kickoff against the Bulldogs, who are also receiving votes in both national polls, is scheduled for 1 p.m.
