FOOTBALL TRAVELS TO WISCONSIN AND COMES UP ON THE SHORT END OF A 40-27 GAME AGAINST RIVER FALLS
The Alma College Football team took a 12-hour bus ride to take on a non-league opponent in Wisconsin-River Falls Saturday, on a sunny West Wisconsin afternoon. Although they led in almost every statistical category and even set a few NCAA offensive records, the Scots left cheese country on the wrong end of a 40-27 score.
Alma QB Mackenzie McGrady broke two NCAA records and tied another, not to mention re-writing some school records in the loss, but it was not good enough for the victory. Wisconsin-River Falls used an opportunistic defense and some timely big plays to come away with the victory.
The Scots opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass from McGrady to WR Brad Gray with 9:05 left in the first quarter. River Falls answered as RB Taylor Edwards capped a six-play, 80-yard drive with a three yard score to make the game 7-7.
On the next drive, Alma drove 77 yards on seven plays and went ahead 14-7 when McGrady tossed a touchdown pass to WR Tyler Wise. After stopping the Falcons, the Scots got the ball back and drove the length of the field to again threaten to score. However, in a play that defined the afternoon, the Scots had a third and goal at the UWRF eight-yard line but McGrady was intercepted by Ben Arata who took the pass and scampered 99 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 14-14.
After the Scots drove into Falcons territory again, the offense was shutdown at the River Falls 33-yard line on a fourth down play. The home squad then went 67 yards on five plays and Edwards ran five yards for the score and 21-14 Falcons halftime lead.
River Falls enjoyed good field position in the third quarter and added two field goals to take a 27-14 lead into the fourth quarter. As the final frame started, Alma had driven to the Falcons' six-yard line, and on the first play of the quarter, McGrady hit WR Andrew Schaar on a touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-21 with 14:55 left in the game.
The host squad responded quickly when they drove 70 yards on just four plays, taking 1:14 off of the clock to take a 34-21 lead when WR Wade Schlichting caught a 35-yard TD strike from QB Ryan Luessenheide. After the score, the Scots again drove down the field, but a McGrady pass was intercepted by Steve Marich, who ran 81 yards for a score and a 40-21 advantage.
The Scots did not quit and once again drove the length of the field, cutting the lead to 40-27 when McGrady hit Gray on a 30-yard touchdown strike. Unfortunately, that would be it for Alma and on a day that could have been something different, ended in defeat.
McGrady broke two NCAA records with 52 completions and 84 attempts and also tied one with 98 total plays during the game. He also becomes the leader in some school records that will be reflected when the stats are finalized over the weekend.
McGrady was 52 of 84 for 567 yards (2nd in school history) with four touchdowns and five interceptions. Both Schaar (155 yards) and Wise (123 yards) had 14 receptions and a score for the Scots, while Gray finished with eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Brent Willis led the Scots with eight tackles, while Bart Blystone and Conrad Bovee added seven on the day. Ed Raby, Jr., had four tackles, with two for a loss and Cody Stripling had four tackles (one for a loss). Nolan Fick recorded an interception for Alma and Scott Cole had two passes broken up.
Alma is off next weekend and will next play on October 10, when they host league rival Trine University for Homecoming 09 at Bahlke Field. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Posted: Sat, September 26th, 2009 at 6:12PM
