FOOTBALL: Alma Vs. Kalamazoo Preview
Alma College Scots (4-1, 4-4) Vs. Kalamazoo College Hornets (0-5, 1-6)
The Match-Up
The Scots come into this week’s match-up after a huge win over the Olivet College Comets by the score of 38-25, keeping their MIAA Championship hopes alive. Kalamazoo is struggling through a five game losing streak that was capped off by a 34-13 beating at the hands of Albion College last week. The all time series between these two schools sits at 53-38-5 and have won nine of sixteen under Coach Cole.
Scouting the Hornets
The Hornets are an incredibly pass heavy team, ranked second in the MIAA (ahead of Alma’s Scotgun attack), averaging over 240 yards per game through the air. However, their success in the passing game has come at the expense of the running game as they sit dead last in the conference only averaging 24 yards per game on the ground and gaining a little over one yard per attempt this season.
Jordan Tallman has called the signals the majority of the season and has completed 168 of 301 attempts for 1,595 yards. Tallman has a quarterback efficiency number of 104 for the season but has hurt the Hornets with his decision making as he has thrown 16 interceptions to only 13 touchdowns this season. With the spread offense and gunslinger mind set, there has been plenty of balls to go around, as five Hornets have caught atleast 20 passes this season. Leading the way for the receiving core is Mike Benson who has caught 52 passes for 589 yards and five touchdowns.
When Kalamazoo has to run the ball, they have given the majority of the touches to Stephen Johnston who has carried the ball 55 times for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Kalamazoo has given up the second to most points in the MIAA and are allowing their opponents to score 34 points per game in the 2007 campaign. The Hornets are ranked third in the conference in pass defense allowing less than 200 yards per game through the air but are last in rush defense, as they have given up over 200 yards per game on the ground. However, as Kalamazoo has played from behind much of the season, these numbers are somewhat skewed due to teams trying to keep the clock running and thus keeping the ball on the ground in second halves.
Blake McDonald leads Kalamazoo in total tackles and has been in on 61 through seven games. The Hornets have been able to depend on their secondary all season to make big plays and have a pair of DB’s who have accounted for nine takeaways this season. Michael Herman has 51 total tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles while fellow defensive back Omeri Young has 23 total tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble of his own in their effort to help their team.
Look for the Scots to pound the ball on offense and apply pressure to Tallman all day defensively, forcing him into bad decisions and allowing are talented cornerbacks to make plays.
Last Week’s Action: Alma 38, Olivet 25
The Scots had the momentum from the very first play of the game as they recovered a fumble on the opening kick off and scored three plays later on a Mackenzie McGrady (Portland/Portland) connection to Jeremy Stephens (Maple Rapids/Fulton) for a touchdown. Olivet rallied with a drive resulting in a field goal but then watched as the Scots scored 28 unanswered points giving them the 35-3 lead. Olivet tried to come back in the fourth quarter, adding three touchdowns, but the Scots held on to the 38-25 win, improving to 4-1 in the MIAA standings.
The Alma College defense played lights out all game today, holding the run happy Olivet offense to only 85 yards on 32 carries. Brian Lenneman (Porltand/St. Patrick's) had a big game for the Scots, recording six total tackles and an interception. Noah Thormeier (Saginaw/Heritage) and Zach Comer (Alma/Alma) also added six total tackles each in the effort.
As impressive at the Alma College defense looked today, the Scots offense may have also had their best game of the year. Senior Ace back Kyle Ryan (Reese/Reese) was a human wrecking ball, destroying the Olivet defense for 123 yards and two touchdowns on only 20 carries, averaging over six yards a pop.
McGrady didn't do too bad himself, racking up 331 total yards, including 254 on 24-33 passing and 77 on the ground on 14 carries. McGrady connected also connected for three touchdown passes through the air. On the receiving end of two of those touchdown passes, was Stephens who had six catches for 60 yards. Alma's all time most prolific receiver, senior Joe Cline (Ithaca/Ithaca), continued to distance himself in the record books as he grabbed 12 catches for 161 yards in the win. Vito Jordan (Detroit/Cody) also had two catches for 23 yards including an 18 yard touchdown grab.
Posted: Thu, November 1st, 2007 at 11:34AM
