FOOTBALL: Alma College Scots (5-4, 5-1) Vs. Adrian College Bulldogs (6-3, 3-3)
The Match-Up
The Alma College Scots come in to this weekend’s game needing a win to guarantee themselves a piece of the MIAA Championship and also to help Coach Cole be the first Alma College head football coach to reach the 100 wins plateau. Adrian has had an up and down season and would love to end their season by upsetting the Scots. The Scots lead the all-time series against Adrian with a record of 47-20-1 and have gone 13-3 when facing the Bulldogs under Coach Cole.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs employ an offense that looks a lot like the Scotgun, but is more geared towards the run. Their tactics have thus far been effective as they are currently ranked third in the MIAA in scoring offense having put up an average of 29 points per game. Statistically, the Bulldogs find themselves in the middle of the pack in both rushing and passing offense, however, the 350/239 rushes to passes ratio has allowed them to keep control of the ball allowing the stingiest defense in the MIAA time to rest and to be better prepared to shut down their opponent’s O.
Mike McGee has taken the majority of the snaps this year for Adrian and comes in with a pass efficiency of 133.43. On the season, McGee has completed 107 of 189 passes for 1,495 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. McGee has done a good job keeping the defense honest by spreading the ball around and has found six different receivers for touchdowns on the season. Desmond Upshaw leads the way with 32 catches for 555 yards and five touchdowns.
The bulk of the touches in Adrian’s offense have gone to their talented running back, Troy Niblock. Niblock has carried the rock 192 times for the Bulldogs and finds himself only 97 yards short of reaching a 1000 yards rushing season. Niblock comes in averaging over 100 yards per game and has found the endzone an outstanding 12 times. Niblock is also effective as a receiver out of the backfield as he averages 16 yards a reception.
The key to this game for the Scots will be no doubt to take away Niblock. If the Scots’ defense can contain Adrian’s talented runner, Alma should be able to bring home a piece of the 2007 MIAA Crown.
Defensively, as mentioned before, Adrian has been lights out all season holding their opponents under 14 points on average and leading the MIAA in total defense, rushing defense, and passing defense.
Kyle Dumaj leads the Bulldogs with a ridiculous 51 solo and 89 total tackles on the season. Defensive lineman Ward Ritter has helped Adrian’s cause pressuring the quarterback all year and leads the team with six sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. In the secondary, Brandon Mohney has been a ball hawk picking off five passes and going to work gaining 155 yards on returns.
Last Week’s Action: Alma 56, Kalamazoo 17
The Alma College Football Team (5-1, 5-4) came into today's game needing a win and a Olivet win over Hope to keep their hopes alive for a piece of the MIAA Championship, and with their 56-17 win and Olivet's come from behind 28-25 win over Hope, find themselves sitting in atop the MIAA in a three way tie.
The Scots looked absolutely dominating in taking care of their part today, steam rolling Kalamazoo by the score of 56-17 and posting over 400 yards of total offense in the first half. The Scots scored six touchdowns in the first half and added two more in the second on their way to the victory.
Sophomore Mackenzie McGrady (Portland/Portland) had his way with the under-manned Hornet' defense as he threw for 382 yards and six touchdowns on 20 of 32 passing, and also added a touchdown with his legs. Junior receiver Matt Brown (Midland/Midland) had a career day, catching four passes for 117 yards- three of which were touchdowns for the Scots. Senior Joe Cline (Ithaca/Ithaca) had a normal day at the office for the Scots, making six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown look easy only like he can. Freshman Andrew Scharr (Dewitt/Dewitt) got his first collegiate touchdown reception in the first half and for good measured added his second in the second half, ending the game with two catches for 21 yards.
Seniors Kyle Ryan (Reese/Reese) and Derek Chamberlain (Newberry/Newberry) put together a good rushing attack on senior day for the Scots, putting up 76 and 61 yards respectively, including a late touchdown scamper by Chamberlain to help put the game on ice.
The Scots defense did an excellent job rushing the passer and recorded five sacks as a team. Buddy Scarborough (Romeo/Romeo) and Zac Zanotti (Bay City/Bay City Central) each recorded 1.5 sacks and Alex Catlin (Alma/Alma) and Brad Collins (Auburn/Bay City Western) added a sack each. Junior James Lang (Coleman/Coleman) flew around against the Hornets' short passing game and led the team with seven total tackles. Fellow safety, Travis Martin (Fenville/Fenville) had quite a game himself, intercepting a pair of passes and recording six total tackles.
Posted: Thu, November 8th, 2007 at 10:13PM
