Albion, Mich. - The Alma College football team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday (Nov. 5) afternoon, falling by a 66-28 margin to Albion College at Sprankle-Sprande Stadium.

The Scots, playing their third straight road contest, are now 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, while the Britons improved to 8-1 overall and secured a share of the MIAA championship with a 5-1 record.

Alma scored first for the eighth time in nine games, taking the ball 88 yards in 17 plays on the opening drive, which was extended by a double-turnover play. On the third play of the game, with the Scots on their own 41 yard line, sophomore quarterback Dylan Zaborowski (Jackson, Mich./Michigan Center) three an interception, but Albion's Collin Ahrens fumbled the ball and Alma recovered at their own 12-yard line. Sixteen plays later, Zaborowski hit sophomore Daniel Hugan (Ann Arbor, Mich./Ann Arbor Huron) on a 28-yard pass to put the Scots up, 7-0.

Alma held Albion to a three-and-out on its opening possession, then took a 14-0 lead when Zaborowski connect with senior Erik Hines (Menominee, Mich./Menominee), who broke two tackles and scampered 60 yards for the score.

The Britons got on the board late in the first quarter when Collin Parks ran it in from six yards out to make the score 14-7, then the two teams forced each other to punt on the next two possessions. The Scots went back up by 14 points early in the second stanza when Zaborowski and Hugan connected again, this time on an 11-yard scoring pass to put the Scots up 21-7. The score was set up after Hugan caught a 52-yard pass from Zaborowski on third down that put the Scots in Albion territory.

It was all Scots at this point in the game, with Alma rolling up 261 yards of total offense in the first 15:28 while holding the Britons to just 62 yards. After going up 21-7, the Scots held Albion to a three-and-out and freshman Dylan Demo (Shelby Township, Mich./Utica) blocked a punt, setting up Alma with a first-and-10 on the Albion 46. The Scots could not turn the opportunity into points, and seven plays later, turned the ball over on downs.

Albion responded by scoring 52 unanswered points to come from behind and score the victory. Britons' quarterback Dominic Bona three four touchdown passes and ran for another, while Parks and Mike Czarnecki each scored to pull away and secure the victory.

Alma added a late touchdown with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when senior quarterback Brent Luplow (Clare, Mich./Clare), who was in to relieve Zaborowski, found senior Sean McDonald (Gladwin, Mich./Gladwin) for an 11-yard touchdown pass.

Zaborowski finished the game completing 14-of-36 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns, but was also picked off three times. Zaborowski also carried the ball 11 times for 35 yards as Alma recorded 427 yards of total offense. Hugan led the Scots' receiving corps with eight catches for 125 yards and two scores, marking the fifth straight game an Alma receiver has tallied 100 or more receiving yards. Junior Nick Sullivan (Flushing, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic) led the Alma ground game with 17 carries for 78 yards.

Defensively, sophomore Zac Peterson (Holt, Mich./Holt) led the team with 16 tackles as Albion posted 569 yards of offense. Senior Terry Calagon (Jackson, Mich./East Jackson) finished the game with 11 tackles and a pass breakup, while senior Troy Gahm (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) recorded a sack, but left the game late in the first half with an injury.

The Scots return home on Saturday, Nov. 14, to host Olivet in the final regular-season game for both teams. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Bahlke Field on the campus of Alma College, with the seniors on the Alma College football team being honored prior to the game.

NOTES

• Alma has lost seven straight to Albion.

• The Scots have had a receiver post 100 or more yards in five straight games.

• Erik Hines extended his pass reception streak to 29 games with five catches for 88 yards and a score. Hines has caught a pass in every game in his sophomore, junior and senior campaigns.

• Daniel Hugan tied a career-high with two receiving touchdowns. He also had a kickoff return of 33 yards, a career-high.

• Dylan Zaborowski tied a career-high with three passing touchdowns.

• Brent Luplow threw his first career touchdown pass.

• Three of the Scots' four scoring drives went for 80 yards or more.

• Kolbi Schumaker had a career-high eight tackles

• Dustin Tripp made a career-best eight stops.

QUOTES

Head Coach Greg Pscodna

On the game ...

"I thought we came out and did a great job, jumped on them and made some big plays, especially into the wind. I think what hurt us is when we blocked a punt and then weren't able to capitalize on it. That could have helped us a little more, but you've got to give credit to Albion. They make a lot of plays, their quarterback the best in the league and he showed why. They have a high-powered offense they took it to our defense today.

We can play well, we just made too many mistakes and turnovers killed us today. We've got to get that corrected for next week and our big thing is that we've got to send our seniors out a winner at home. They've put a great four years in here and hopefully we can end on a great note."