Box Score Alma, MI – Alma College Football welcomed in Mount St. Joseph for the Scots' first NCAA Playoff action in 18 years on Saturday. Alma was victorious by a final of 41-21.
Mount St. Joseph changed up the usual pattern as the Lions were the first team to hit the scoreboard. The opening drive of the game was 10 plays and 60 yards with Josh Taylor punching it in on a QB keeper to give MSJ the lead 6-0. Alma responded with a 9 play, 57 yard drive of their own to take the lead 7-6 after an Eddie Williams 9 yard touchdown run. The score would stay the same until the final minute of the first quarter. Connor Douma picked up a Lion fumble and returned it 51 yards to the house to push the lead out to 14-6. Just moments later, Alma punched in another rushing score via Davin Reif to make a 21-6 ballgame. Just as it looked like Alma might run away with it, MSJ scored a pair of touchdowns, and the Mount leveled things at 21-21 heading into halftime.
Out of the half, the offense picked it up, and the defense shut it down. The Scots defense pitched a 2nd half shutout, holding the Lions to under 80 yards of total offense, after allowing over 300 in the first half. The offense went to work as well. After 90 yards in the first half, Alma exploded for 356 yards in the second half.
The Scots broke the tie courtesy of Carter St. John delivering a perfect ball to a wide open Cole Thomas. Thomas took off in open space, winning a 74 yard footrace to the endzone. After 3, the Scots led 28-21. Alma scored again on an Eddie Williams touchdown reception from 21 yards out, and one more rushing score from the freshman running back with 2 minutes and change to go. In the end the score read 41-21 in favor of Alma.
Carter St. John was 14-21 through the air for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns. Eddie Williams managed 104 yards on the ground on 21 carries, scoring 2 touchdowns. Ja'martae Hogan also rushed for 90 yards on 11 carries. Cole Thomas led Alma's receivers with 125 yards and a touchdown.
Odin Soffredine led Alma defensively with 15 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Austin Flowers also registered 13 tackles, Gage Nelson came in with 12, and Elijah Jackson had 10. Connor Douma recovered the lone fumble forced, and Bryce Fredenburg came up with the game sealing interception in the 4th.
The result is Alma's first NCAA playoff victory in program history. The Scots will host Aurora University in the Round of 16 on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12 PM at Bahlke Field.
Story Credit: Nick Nemeth, Sports Information Director
