ANGOLA, Ind. – A nearly record-breaking day from RJ West II led the way for the Trine University football team as they came from behind to defeat Franklin College by the score of 35-27.
West finished his mammoth day with 435 yards of passing coming off 30 completions on 40 attempts. That total represents the second most yards in a single game in program history, just four yards less than Alex Price in a 2023 game, also against Franklin. West also finished with four touchdowns in the contest.
After neither team scored in the first quarter, it was the Grizzlies that struck first, and second, in the game. Set up by a fumble by the Thunder offense, Franklin drove 41 yards for their first touchdown. The ensuing drive ended in the same disaster for Trine and the Grizzlies once again took advantage of the short field with a 32 yard touchdown drive.
Both scores came late in the second quarter, with the Thunder receiving the final kickoff with just 55 seconds remaining. This time the offense came out in a hurry up effort that put the Franklin defense on its heels. West connected with Owen Hebberd twice to start the drive and move into the Franklin side of the field. His next completion found Jermaine Williams in the open field and ended in a 46-yard touchdown.
The late touchdown sent the game to halftime with a 14-7 score. Even that deficit ended in the opening drive of the third quarter. The Thunder received the kickoff and drove 72 yards for another touchdown, mostly utilizing the passing game. Mickey Daring capped the drive with a six yard touchdown run. Daring ultimately led the modest rushing attack for Trine in the game with 47 yards and the one touchdown.
The Grizzlies had success on their next drive, moving deep into Trine territory before the defense forced a stop. The field goal attempt by Franklin went wide right and the score remained tied.
Another long pass completion secured the first lead of the game for the home team. West caught Rashawn Street in stride deep down the left side for the 70 yard touchdown play, making the lead 21-14. They were the final points of the quarter.
After another stop from the Thunder defense, the offense looked in trouble after West took a sack on the first play of the ensuing drive. But the junior quarterback responded by connecting with Williams for another, even longer, touchdown pass. The completion was 87 yards and gave the team a 28-14 lead.
With their backs against the proverbial wall, the Grizzlies put together a gutsy drive in response. They converted three fourth down conversions on their way to a touchdown. But a missed extra point kept the deficit at eight with the score 28-20.
The Thunder gave themselves another two score lead with their next drive. Again West led the way down the field with passing. Most of the success came to Williams again, including a 27-yard completion and a seven-yard touchdown. West completed the final pass under extreme pressure.
Franklin responded again, coming away with a final touchdown to cut the lead back to one score at 35-27. The Thunder were able to run out the clock on the final drive, with West completing a pass to Street on fourth and four to clinch the victory.
A pair of receivers enjoyed the host of West's passing proficiency, with a third just behind. Williams was the favorite target, finishing with 179 yards and three touchdowns. Street finished with 102 yards and the other touchdown. Hebberd had the most receptions and finished with 71 yards.
On defense three members of the team finished atop the table with eight tackles. They included Ridge Howard, Cam McCarver and Cole Basey. McCarver was joined by Cal Lockhart in both recording a sack in the game, but Howard led the team with 2.5 tackles for a loss. Roman Schrock was a strong part of the secondary in the contest, intercepting one pass and breaking up two others. Howard and Corey Washington also had a pair of breakups.
Trine ends the non-conference portion of their schedule with a 2-1 record. They will face their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opponent next Saturday, September 27. They will travel to Albion College for a 6 p.m. contest.
