On a day that felt more like mid November than early October, the Alma College Football team hit the road for Angola, Indiana to take on Trine University in the MIAA opener for both teams.

A scoreless game at halftime got crazy in the second half and the teams eventually battled through two overtimes to decide a winner. The score was tied at 16-16 at the end of regulation and each team scored a touchdown in overtime one. However, Alma came up empty in the second OT and Trine kicked a field goal to secure a 26-23 win.

With the loss, the Scots are now 2-2 overall this season and 0-1 in the MIAA, while Trine improved to 3-1 in 2014 and 1-0 in the league.

Both teams entered league play with the belief that their respective offenses were much improved over last season. However, the first half didn't bear that out. In fact, neither team made it into each other's red zone (inside 20-yard line) in the first 30 minutes and the scoring opportunities were non-existent.

Trine punted five times in the first half, while the Scots also booted it five times. The Thunder twice made it to Alma's 21-yard line, but could not convert it into points. The Scots' deepest penetration was to Trine's 34-yard line on their first offensive possession of the game.

The majority of the third quarter was much of the same with a few twists. The Scots drove into Trine territory, but Fr. RB Tommie Dawson (Detroit/Redford Union) fumbled at the 25-yard line after a 17-yard gain. The Thunder made it to Alma's 10-yard line but gave up the ball on downs on a fourth and three when Jr. DL Troy Gahm (Gaylord/Gaylord) stopped them cold.

However, Trine broke the scoring draught towards the end of the third quarter. A thrown interception by Fr. QB Dylan Zaborowski (Jackson/Michigan Center) and a subsequent return gave the Thunder the ball on the Scots' 16-yard line.

Three plays later, Trine RB Austin Shoemaker plunged one-yard for a touchdown and after a missed two-point conversion, the Thunder had a 6-0 lead with 1:57 left in the third quarter. It remained that way until the halfway point of the fourth quarter.

Trine would go ahead 9-0 on a 25-yard field goal by Joel Lopshire that culminated a 10-play, 48-yard drive. 16 seconds later, the Thunder would lead 16-0. On the first play of Alma's next drive, Zaborowski was picked off again and it was returned to the 18-yard line. Trine's first play after the turnover was a 18-yard touchdown pass from QB Taylor Masiewicz to WR Jared Barton.

On Alma's next drive, Jr. QB Derek Talaga (South Lyon/South Lyon) took over the reins of the offense and proceeded to drive the team 74 yards on seven plays. The drive ended when Talaga found Fr. WR Daniel Kroupa (Melbourne, FL/Eau Gaille) on a 10-yard scoring strike. Talaga then hit Sr. WR Tyler Watters (Williamston/Williamston) on a two-point conversion and the Scots trailed 16-8 with 6:03 on the clock.

The Scots defense then came up big again by forcing Trine to punt on their next possession. Talaga then led the visitors on an impressive drive that stood at the Thunder 29-yard line on a third and 14. At that point, Alma pulled off an improbable double pass that had Fr. WR Cody Dentmon (Melbourne, FL/Virea) finding Sr. WR Erik Hines (Menominee/Menominee) on a 29-yard touchdown play.

A Talaga to Hines two-point conversion tied the contest at 16-16 with just 1:02 left in regulation. Trine wasn't done however as they took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Alma 38-yard line. Alma So. DB Jacob Chittenden (Spring Lake/Spring Lake) then intercepted Masiewicz to end the drive and send the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, Trine managed one first down and then faced a fourth and one from the Scots' two-yard line. In the clutch, Masiewicz connected with WR Zachary Hess on a touchdown and after the PAT, the Thunder led 23-16.

Now it was Alma's turn. Again, using trickery, Kroupa hit Zaborowski on a 21-yard pass that gave the Scots a first down on the Trine three-yard line. Three rushing plays - one by Jr. RB Grant Wilson (Redford Township/Lee Thurston) and two by Talaga - put the Scots in a fourth and one. At that point, Zaborowski plunged the final yard for a score and after the extra point, the teams were deadlocked at 23-23.

The Scots retained possession for the second overtime and after three Talaga incompletions, Alma faced a fourth and 10 from the 25-yard line. On the next play, Talaga was intercepted by Trine DB Tyler Guzy, ending Alma's turn with the ball.

One first down by the Thunder gave them the ball on the eight-yard line. After the drive stalled, Trine faced a fourth down and decided to bring out the field goal unit. Despite the conditions, Lopshire was perfect from 25 yards out and the Thunder walked off the field with a dramatic 26-23 double OT victory.

For the game, Alma had 17 first downs, while Trine had 20. Total yards edge went to the Thunder by a 329-300 margin while time of possession went to Alma by a short amount (30:36-29:24). The Scots had five penalties for 51 yards, while the Thunder was the cloth three times for 38 yards.

Individually, Talaga finished the game with eight completions on 17 attempts for 101 yards and one touchdown and one interception. Zaborowski was good on 12 of 26 pass attempts for 80 yards with the two picks. Other players were three for three for 52 yards and score.

Recieving was led by Hines, who caught 10 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Watters had seven receptions for 38 yards. In addition, Kroupa finished with three catches for 40 yards and a TD. The leading rusher for Alma was So. RB Michael Riojas (Mesick/Mesick), who had 49 yards on 16 carries.

Sr. LB Sam Young (Lowell/Lowell) had a team-high 17 tackles, while Jr. LB Gavin Smith (Westphalia/Pewamo-Westphalia) added 13 total tackles (one for a loss), two pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry. Gahm finished with nine tackles, including 1.5 for a loss, while Chittenden had five tackles and an interception.

The Scots will host Adrian College in Homecoming 2014 next Saturday afternoon at Bahlke Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.