The Alma College Football team hosted North Park University on Saturday night in the first-ever night game at Bahlke Field. The upstart Scots took an early lead and gained control from there, ultimately defeating the visitors from Chicago by a score of 31-7 in front of a mostly jubilant 1,681 fans.

"The crowd was great and it turned out to be a very nice for our first night game here at Bahlke Field," said Alma Head Coach Greg Pscodna. "Our kids did a nice job and played well on both sides of the ball. I'm very happy for them to get the win after all the work we have put in and to do it in front of such energetic fans was just a bonus!"

In the first quarter, the Scots went ahead 7-0 when they took their third drive of the game 71 yards on 10 plays and scored a touchdown when Fr. QB Dylan Zaborowski (Jackson/Michigan Center) scampered three yards. The drive took 3:57 off of the clock.

After Sr. DB Adam Nelson (St. Clair Shores/U of D Jesuit) recovered a fumble on North Park's next drive, the Scots took advantage and increased their lead to 10-0. Fr. K Ryan Maguire (Grand Haven/Grand Haven) booted a 28-yard field goal with just five seconds left in the first quarter.

Alma increased their advantage to 17-0 midway through the second frame when Zaborowski connected with Sr. WR Erik Hines (Menominee/Menominee) on a two-yard TD pass at the 7:52 mark. The scoring drive for the Scots consisted of seven plays and 60 yards in 3:14.

The Vikings would strike for a score of their own late in the first half. QB T.D. Conway hit WR Devin Childress on a 38-yard touchdown pass that cut Alma's lead to 17-7 with 3:08 remaining in the frame. However, there would be no more scoring in the first 30 minutes and the teams hit the halftime with the Scots up by 10 points.

After a scoreless third quarter still had the final outcome in doubt, the Scots said enough is enough and tallied two scores in the final 15 minutes to secure the victory. At 10:21 left in the game, Zaborowski found Fr. WR Daniel Kroupa (Melbourne, FL/Eau Gaille) on a 47-yard touchdown strike that increased the lead to 24-7.

Then, on their next offensive series, Alma would seal the deal with another score. Zaborowski capped his outstanding evening when he threw a three-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Fr. TE Zachary Huver (Lowell/Lowell). That tally gave Alma the final 31-7 margin of victory and put the big crowd into a joyous mood in the stands.

Statistically, Zaborowski finished with 19 completions on 29 attempts for 240 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Hines led all Alma receivers with seven catches for 68 yards. Sr. WR Tyler Watters (Williamston/Williamston) had 86 yards on five catches, while Kroupa finished with five grabs for 83 yards and one score.

On the ground, So. RB Michael Riojas (Mesick/Mesick) paced Scots runner with 73 yards on 10 carries, while Zaborowski was next with 70 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Fr. RB Tommie Dawson (Detroit/Redford Union) contributed 46 yards on 14 carries in the win.

Defensively, Alma allowed just 184 total yards and kept North Park at bay for most of the evening. Sr. LB Sam Young (Lowell/Lowell) led all Scots tacklers with 10 total, one for a loss, and added a quarterback hurry. Jr. LB Terry Calagon (Jackson/East Jackson) was next with six total tackles, including one for a loss. Jr. DL Troy Gahm (Gaylord/Gaylord) had the team's lone quarterback sack and also recorded a pass breakup.

Alma, now 1-1 on the season, hit the road next weekend as they play at Concordia University-Chicago. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. eastern time.