Alma, Mich. - The Alma College football team defeated Trine University (IN) 23-14 on Saturday (Oct. 12) evening behind a controlling rushing attack and a suffocating defense. The Scots scored 20 unanswered second-half points and allowed just 22 yards in the second half. Mason Ippel (Jenison, Mich. / Jenison) threw for two touchdowns while adding 58 yards on the ground. Austin Spratling (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Wyoming Kelloggsville) led all players with 88 rushing yards and one touchdown. Dustin Soloman (Macomb, Mich. / Dakota High School) added six carries for 47 yards.

The two teams combined for 35 passes on the night. On the ground, Alma outgained the Thunder 228-167. The Scots also had 18 more rushing attempts than Trine.

Alma was first on the scoreboard with a field goal but Trine earned the game's first touchdowns. Quarterback Alex Price scored from two yards out midway through the fourth quarter, then again from one yard out on the Thunder's next drive. The Scots (4-1, 2-0 MIAA) had four scoreless possessions after their game-opening field goal and trailed 14-3 at the half.

Alma got in the end zone on all three of their third-quarter possessions. It opened the second half with an 11 play, 67 yards drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown reception by Joseph Schaefer (Lowell, Mich. / Lowell). It took over five minutes off the clock, one minute shorter than Alma's field goal drive in the first quarter, and cut Trine's lead to four.

Alma capitalized on Trine's only turnover two minutes later. Quarterback Brent Hays fumbled the ball deep in his own end while trying to scramble; it was recovered by Patrick Hite (Michigan Center, Mich. / Michigan Center). The Scots needed only four plays to cover the 15 yards to the end zone; Spratling earned the last two for his second rushing touchdown of the year.

The Scots forced a three-and-out on Trine's next possession, thanks in part to a five-yard tackle for loss by Jacob Wildenhaus (Jackson, Mich. / Lumen Christi). It was one of six Alma TFLs in the game. After forcing a punt, Alma drove 77 yards in seven plays, finishing with a 17-yard pass to Cole Thomas (St. Johns, Mich. / St. Johns High School) to extend the lead to 23-14. Alma did not face a third down on the possession.

Zeke Ramirez (Homer, Mich. / Homer) got a timely sack on Trine's next drive, forcing the Thunder into a 3rd and 23 which they would not convert. Trine got the ball back once more and went three and out. Alma ran out the final 6:10.

Thor Soffredine (Traverse City, Mich. / Traverse City West) finished as the Scots' leading tackler with 10, including one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Ramirez had eight tackles and one sack. Hite had two TFLs, one sack, and one fumble recovery.

Alma will travel to Adrian next Saturday (Oct. 19) to face the Bulldogs at 5:00 p.m. Adrian lost 21-17 to Olivet on this week and is now 1-1 in the conference.