Scots are 3-0 after crushing Anderson
The end result was never really in doubt.
With a balanced attack of offense and defense leading the way, Alma College routed Anderson University on Saturday, Sept. 18, 51-2.
The Scots forced seven turnovers on defense and scored five offensive touchdowns en route to the win.
“Today was the epitome of what college ball is all about,” head coach Jason Couch said. “We had the home crowd, the home fans, just rocking. You could see the tailgaters out there, which was fun. This was our Hall of Fame Game, so before the game we honored some wonderful people. And to cap it off with a win, that’s just great.
“The biggest thing I’m proud of today is how we came out on fire. To go into halftime up 38 points is huge, and a lot of that comes from being focused early in the game. I’m hoping that this game kind of provides us a road map for the rest of the season.”
The Scots got off to a quick start on Saturday, when their first
drive was capped with a 12-yard touchdown throw from Trent Devereaux to Nathan Goralski just 2 minutes into the game. Devereaux, who made his first start for Alma on Saturday, ended up finishing 16 for 26, with 181 yards through the air and three touchdowns.
“Our focus was getting out early and starting fast,” said Goralski, who finished with five receptions for 54 yards and the score. “The past couple of weeks, although they were wins, we were stalling early. So, finally, we were able to do what we wanted to do, and it was great to see the results of all that hard work.”
The Scots stayed hot with an eight-play, 48-yard drive on their next possession, which put the score at 14-0. Alma’s Drew Humm intercepted an Anderson pass on the Ravens’ next possession, and Joshua Hernandez kicked a field
goal to bring the score to 170. Hernandez ended up finishing perfect on the day, going 3-for-3 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points.
Devereaux hooked up with Noah Janssen for a 23yard touchdown strike in the second quarter to push the score to 24-0, and on Alma’s next possession, Joey Fosmore punched it in from
two yards out to make it 31-0. Devereaux connected with Keegan Benkhardt from seven yards out just before halftime to give the Scots a 38-point lead.
After halftime, it continued to be all Scots. Just nine seconds into the second quarter, Odin Soffredine intercepted the Ravens quarterback and put the Scots in field goal range, and Hernandez hit from 37 yards out. Anderson picked up a safety — the Ravens’ only points in the contest —
but the crowd again roared midway through the third quarter, Jack Kretzschmar grabbed an interception at midfield and ran 45 yards for a touchdown.
“When we get in positions to make plays, we make them,” Kretzschmar said.
“We have a great offense, and as a defense, what we want to do is whatever we can to take pressure off of them. I think we did that pretty well tonight.”
Hernandez chipped it in
from 29 yards out with a minute left in the third to end the scoring at 51-2. The Scots ended up nearly tripling Anderson’s output on offense, gaining 335 yards compared to 117. Alma also gained 23 first downs and totaled 141 yards cumulative rushing.
On defense, Alma was similarly dominant. In addition to the five picks, the Scots notched five sacks and forced two fumbles.
“Our offense played great, and our defense showed
just how truly special they are,” Couch said. “They take pride in the fact that if they are put in a tough situation, they have to rise up a little bit more. For them to be able to get the ball back to us seven times, you’re stealing possessions from the other team. You can’t win the game without the ball, so to do that is just outstanding.”
The Scots have started out the season on a hot streak with three consecutive wins. They will travel
to Martin Luther on Sept. 25 before the conference schedule kicks off on Oct. 2, at home, against Olivet. Couch said while the start of the season has gone to plan so far, the team will not rest on its laurels. “We have a road trip ahead of us, and it’s a long season. We’re going to have to remain focused and continue to play as well as we did tonight. But for now, I’m very proud of this team and the effort they have showed so far this season,” he said.