The Alma Football team hosted Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday in the home opener at Bahlke Stadium. The Scots dropped a tough 17-9 decision against the Titans to fall to 0-2 on the season, while IWU improved to 2-0.

It was a picture perfect sunny afternoon as the Tom Jakovac '70 Memorial Scoreboard was dedicated, and the only thing missing was a Scots win. The Scots had a chance all the way to the end but it was not to be, as the Titans recovered a late fumble to close out the game.  

Illinois Wesleyan kicked a 22-yard field goal with 3:59 left in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead, but Alma took a 6-3 advantage (after a missed extra point), when Jr. RB Ed Mason (Grand Rapids, Mich./Creston) scored on a two-yard run early in the second quarter.

 Ed Mason ran for 123 yards and a touchdown on Saturday

After a So. K Michael Reeves (Lisle, Mich./Lisle) 26-yard field goal gave the Scots a 9-3 lead, Illinois Wesleyan responded before the end of the half. The Titans scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from QB Rob Gallik to WR Tate Musselman, giving the visitors the 10-9 lead at the halfway point.

The only score of the second half came midway through the third quarter, when T.J. Sinde ran two yards for a 17-9 IWU lead. The Scots had one last chance in the final seconds to make it interesting, but a late fumble secured the win for the Titans.

Defensively, the Scots were led by Sr. LB Anthony Sabatella (St. Clair Shores, Mich./Warren DeLaSalle) who had 18 total tackles, with two sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss. Sr. LB Conrad Bovee (Ithaca, Mich./Ithaca) finished with 14 total tackles, including two for losses, while Sr. DB Brian Halas (St. Charles, Mich./St. Charles) added 11 tackles.

On the offensive side of the ball, So. QB Jarrett Leister (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) completed 18 of 33 passes for 218 yards, while Sr. WR Barak Henderson (Hot Springs, Ark./Oscoda) finished with five catches for 105 total yards.

Alma will continue their 2011 season next Saturday, when they travel to Rockford (Ill.). Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EDT. 

Box Score