• Game Notes (PDF)
Alma, Mich. - The late Yogi Berra once said, "when you come to a fork in the road, take it!" The Alma College football team is at a fork in the road of its 2015 season as it takes the field on Saturday (Oct. 3) against the Trine University Thunder. The Scots enter their homecoming game 2-1 overall and find themselves in a turning point game as they begin MIAA play.
Last season, Alma started off 2-1, then suffered a 26-23 defeat at Trine in double overtime that started a seven-game losing streak to end the season. Down 16 to the Thunder in the fourth quarter, the Scots stormed back, trying the game with 1:02 left in regulation to force overtime. Then, after trading touchdowns in the first overtime, the Scots turned the ball over for the seventh time in the game and the Thunder won the game on a 25-yard field goal.
"We had our chances (against Trine), but we had too many turnovers. We made a great comeback late in the fourth quarter, sent it in to double overtime, and had a chance to win, but couldn't make a play to win," Pscodna said. "I think that's the way that a lot of MIAA games are going to be this year. There are a lot of competitive teams and week in and week out we've got to be ready to go. We can compete with all the teams in the MIAA, and our number one goal every year is to win a championship. That has to start against Trine."
Homecoming offers the Scots an opportunity to end a seven-game stretch of losses in the MIAA, as well as a chance to secure their first homecoming victory since 2007. In addition, a win over the Thunder would mark the most wins by Alma under Head Coach Greg Pscodna.
The Scots' offense has shown the ability to put points up on the board this season, averaging 33 points a game to rank third in the league. Alma has scored over 40 points in each of its two victories and has outscored its opponents 50-7 in the first quarter this season. Sophomore Daniel Hugan (Ann Arbor, Mich./Ann Arbor Huron) has begun to emerge as one of the key weapons for the Scots, scoring a touchdown in each game. Hugan ranks fifth in the league in all-purpose yards (132.7 per game) and is the fifth-ranked receiver in the MIAA.
"We've got to get him (Hugan) the ball as much as possible. He's a playmaker, and he's one of those guys that at any time can shake two or three different tacklers and make them miss and end up in the end zone," Pscodna said. "We've got to continue to do that but we've got some other guys who can make plays for as us well, like Nick Sullivan, Erik Hines, and Dylan Zaborowski. We've got some playmakers, we've just got to make sure that we use them in a way that the defense is letting us use them. The key for us is to have those guys make plays when the have the opportunity."
Junior Nick Sullivan (Flushing, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic) has already scored a league-best six touchdowns this season and ranks 15th among players in NCAA Division III in rushing touchdowns, while senior Erik Hines (Menominee, Mich./Menominee) is the Scots' consistent presence on the outside, having caught at least one pass in 23 straight games to rank as one of the top receivers in Alma history. Sophomore Dylan Zaborowski (Jackson, Mich./Michigan Center) is also having an excellent start to the season and ranks fourth in the league with a 114.7 quarterback rating. Zaborowski is coming off a game where he completed a career-best 69 percent of his passes against Rockford, going 20-for-29. He will be tested against a Trine defense that ranks third in passing defense, allowing 181.7 yards per game through the air, and has a knack for forcing turnovers with a plus-five rating after three games.
Defensively, Alma will be tasked with stopping the second-ranked rushing offense in the MIAA, as the Thunder average 286 yards per game on the ground. Lamar Carswell leads Trine's rushing attack, averaging 111.7 yards per game and 8.2 yards per carry, while Taylor Masiewicz, a transfer from NCAA Division II Ferris State, will likely line up under center for Trine on Saturday as a dual threat. Masiewicz averages 65 yards per game and over nine yards a carry and has also completed 14 of his 24 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown. Masiewicz sat out Trine's last game against Wisconsin Lutheran with an injury but should be ready to go against Alma.
The Scots will present a challenge for Masiewicz, just as they have for their first three opponents. Alma not only boasts the top-rated pass defense in the MIAA, allowing 166.3 yards a game, but also ranks sixth in the nation in sacks, dropping the opposing quarterback 15 times. This is a major improvement from a year ago when Alma recorded 20 sacks in 10 games. Leading the way is sophomore Zac Peterson (Holt, Mich./Holt) who ranks third in NCAA Division III with an MIAA-best 5.5 sacks. Peterson, along with senior Terry Calagon (Jackson, Mich./East Jackson) lead the Scots in tackles for loss, with each posting a league-high 7.5 to rank seventh nationally. Peterson leads the league in tackles by a linebacker, while Calagon paces the MIAA's defensive linemen in stops.
"Trine's a very good football team. They've played some great competition, and our defense and offense are going to have to step it up, as well as our kicking game," Pscodna said. "They have a great quarterback and we have to contain him. They've got some very good running backs and their defense is solid and gets after people, and they're very aggressive up front."
Kickoff for Saturday's contest is 1:30 p.m. at Bahlke Field on the Alma College campus. Prior to the game, the annual homecoming parade will take place at 11:00 a.m. along Superior Street. In addition, the Alma College Cheer & STUNT squad will perform in the Art Smith Arena beginning at 11:30 a.m. During the game, the Kiltie Marching Band, along with alumni, will perform, and halftime will feature the presentation of the 2015 Homecoming Court. If you cannot make the game, you can follow the Scots online or listen locally to WMLM 1520 AM, with Collin Hinman calling the action.
Tartan Tidbits -- Fans are encouraged to wear maroon to Saturday's game, and to help, maroon t-shirts are being sold at the College Corner Bookstore beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 2) for $5. In addition, the first 500 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive a free rally towel, courtesy of the Alma College football team, R.L. Green, and the Alma College Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
