On a beautiful but cool mid September afternoon at Bahlke Field, the Alma College Football team hosted perennial power Illinois Wesleyan University in the 2013 home opener. The Scots played gamely throughout and led the Titans by a score of 3-0 at halftime. However, the visitors were able to grind down the home team in the final 30 minutes, ultimately winning 38-3.

Alma is now 0-2 on the season while Illinois Wesleyan improved to 2-0.

"I thought we played really hard all day and the first half was definitely something our young team can build upon as we get ready for Lakeland next week," said Alma Head Coach Greg Pscodna. "Ultimately, the difference was that a very talented and experienced team started to make plays in the second half and we didn't respond.

"We need to get something going offensively and we also had some untimely penalties and mistakes on special teams. But, we saw some very positive things as well."

It was a tale of two halves for the Alma football team as the first 30 minutes went much the way they wanted, while the second frame was on the disappointing side. The Scots won the toss and elected to receive, wanting the first crack at the ball.

After one first down, the drive stalled and the Scots punted to the Titans, who took over on their own 21-yard line. On IWU's second offensive play, QB Rob Gallik was intercepted by Alma Jr. DB Adam Nelson (St. Clair Shores, Mich./U of D Jesuit), who ran 16 yards to the Titans 20-yard line.

A first down put the ball at the IWU seven-yard line and two rushing plays put the ball at the three-yard line. However, Sr. QB Jarrett Leister (St. Louis, Mich./Mt. Pleasant) lost one yard on third down, forcing the Scots to attempt a field goal. Sr. K Jack Pryde (Royal Oak, Mich./Royal Oak) booted a 21-yard kick right down the middle for a 3-0 Scots lead with 6:42 left in the first quarter.

The remaining 21 minutes of the first half was a display of grittiness from the Alma defense and a no-mistake offensive attack. After the field goal, both teams exchanged punts and the Titans had the ball as the second quarter began. On a third and four from the Alma 41-yard line, Gallik was intercepted again, this time by Sr. DB Austin McClelland (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester Adams) at the four-yard line, killing another drive.

After one first down, Alma was forced to punt and Illinois Wesleyan drove to the Scots eight-yard line on their next possession. However, the Alma defense came up big again, intercepting Gallik for the third time in the half - this one by Jr. DB Brandon Wegenke (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt) in the end zone for a touchback.

Again, Alma was able to garner one first down on their next possession but ended up punting again to IWU, who took over at the Scots' 44-yard line. The Titans methodically drove down the field and ended up with a first and goal at the two-yard line. The next play put the ball at the one but two stops later and IWU faced a fourth down at the one with just four seconds remaining in the half.

After timeouts by both teams, Sr. DL Frank Furnari (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt) and Jr. DL Terrance Tyson (Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge) stonewalled Gallik and the Scots exploded off the field with the defensive stop and a 3-0 halftime lead.

However, the second half had a whole different tone and the visiting Titans flexed their muscles to earn the road victory. IWU scored on their first six offensive possessions of the half to build a 38-3 advantage that would ultimately be the final score on the day. Conversely, Alma's offense was repeatedly repelled by a stingy and aggressive IWU defense.

Illinois Wesleyan had three rushing touchdowns - two by RB T.J. Stinde and one by RB Sean Conley - and two passing scores - Gallik to WR Alex Garvey and WR Nate Musselman - to go along with a field goal during the offensive onslaught.

For the game, the Scots were only able to account for 100 yards of offense on 50 total plays, while the Titans finished with 409 yards, including 222 rushing, on 64 plays. Time of possession was close (31:32-28:28) but was also in favor IWU and they had 23 first downs to Alma's five.

Individually for Alma, Leister finished the day with nine completions on 15 attempts for 37 yards and an interception, while So. QB Brent Luplow (Clare, Mich./Clare) was good on one of five tries for five yards.

On the ground, So. RB Robert Gibson (Royal Oak, Mich./Royal Oak) led Alma with 28 yards on 10 carries, while Leister was next with 11 yards on 12 attempts. Sr. WR Ricky Roth (Washington, Mich./Romeo) paced all receivers with three catches for 12 yards and Jr. WR Tyler Watters (Williamston, Mich./Williamston) finished with two receptions for 15 yards.

Defensively, Nelson led Alma with 11 total tackles and the interception. So. LB Terry Calagon (Jackson, Mich./East Jackson) and Jr. LB Sam Young (Lowell, Mich./Lowell) each had eight tackles with one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery respectively. Furnari finished the day with five total tackles, with one for loss, and two pass break-ups.

The Scots continue the 2013 season next Saturday afternoon when they host Lakeland College (Wis.) at Bahlke Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.