KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Alma maintained control of the game and the results showed. The Scots traveled to Kalamazoo College on Saturday, Oct. 9 and won their first MIAA game of the year, 28-3. Alma scored three offensive touchdowns and forced five turnovers in the win.

"We had the advantage by taking the lead early. We scored in the opening drive with a six-minute drive and scored at about nine minutes left in the first quarter," head coach Jason Couch said.

The Scots made a statement early with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Trent Devereaux to Nathan Goralski and a clean kick from Joshua Hernandez to put Alma on the board 7-0 in the first quarter. Devereaux finished 20 for 29, with 232 passing yards and three touchdowns. Hernandez went four for four on the day in extra points.

Alma stayed on top in their first drive of the second quarter with a seven-yard run from Keegan Benkhard, to push the lead to 14-0. With five minutes left in the half, Devereaux found Goralski a second time with a 28-yard touchdown pass, to go up by three scores.

Alma's defense then put the clamps on. On consecutive drives, Jack Kretzschmar and Connor Douma intercepted the Hornets' quarterback, to ensure Alma would go into halftime pitching a shutout. After the break, Kalamazoo got on the board with a 40-yard field goal. But their momentum wouldn't last, as Kretzschmar again grabbed an interception — this time, in the Scots' end zone, saving a touchdown — with 6:18 left in the third quarter. 

On the next drive, Alma effectively put the game out of reach for Kalamazoo, when Devereaux hit Thomas Johnston with a 36-yard touchdown pass to go up 28-3. Austin Flowers and Brady Douma both notched interceptions in the fourth quarter to help keep the Hornets out of the Scots' end zone entirely.

"Defense came out on fire again and made big tackles, a few stops, and five turnovers again, all interceptions. That's credit to the guys up front putting pressure on the quarterback and our secondary studying film, knowing routes to look for, and being able to jump them to get the interception," said Coach Couch.

In addition to the five picks, the Scots had four sacks and forced two fumbles. On offense, Alma ended up nearly tripling Kalamazoo's output, gaining 387 yards compared to 127. The Scots gained 22 first downs and totaled 155 yards cumulative rushing on the day.

Alma is now 1-1 in conference play and 5-1 overall. Next, the Scots travel to face Adrian College on Saturday, Oct. 16.

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