Game Notes (PDF)
ALMA, Mich. -- While every season-opening contest presents its own challenges, the start to the 2015 campaign is unique for the Alma College football team in the fact that the Scots' first opponent, Finlandia University, has never played a varsity football game. The Scots head to Hancock, Mich., on Saturday (Sept. 5) to take part in the Lions' inaugural game and what is being billed as the first-ever NCAA Division III football game to be played in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Alma is seeking a fresh start in 2015 after finishing 2-8 last season, including defeats in the final seven contests. The Scots boast the largest senior class of Head Coach Greg Pscodna's four-year tenure, and the hope is that senior leadership will guide Alma into the win column early and often in 2015. The Scots open the 2015 season with two straight road games and will not play in front of a home crowd until Saturday, Sept. 19, when it hosts Rockford.
Senior Terry Calagon (Jackson, MIch./East Jackson) will anchor the Alma defense and returns after recording a team-high 12 tackles for loss a year ago, including a team-best 5.5 sacks. Senior Troy Gahm (Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord) will start on the other end of the defensive line from Calagon, and the pair is expected to headline the defense, which held opponents to 357.7 yards per game in 2014 to rank among the top third of units in NCAA Division III.
On the offensive side, sophomore Dylan Zaborowski (Jackson, Mich./Michigan Center) is back for his second year as the Scots' starting signal-caller. Zaborowski led Alma in total offense in 2014, averaging 195.7 yards per game, and was second on the team in rushing with 385 yards on 121 carries. Zaborowski enters 2015 after throwing for over 1,500 yards and 12 TDs while completing 44.7 percent of his passes a year ago.
Receiving some of Zaborowski's passes will be senior Erik Hines (Menominee, Mich./Menominee). Hines led the Scots in receiving, scoring, and all-purpose yards in 2014, and enters the Finlandia game with a 20-game pass reception streak after catching at least one pass in every game over the last two seasons. Hines, along with junior Justin Thelen (Westphalia, Mich./Pewamo-Westphalia) will serve as team captains in 2015.
On special teams, sophomore Ryan Maguire (Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven) will handle place-kicking duties for the second straight year after going 4-6 in field goal attempts and converting 17 of 19 extra points last season.
Saturday's game can he heard live on WMLM-AM (1520) in Alma with Collin Hinman handling the play-by-play duties. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at McAfee Field. For more information, visit www.GoAlmaScots.com or follow the Scots on Twitter at @GoAlmaScots.
