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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Wheaton stops Trine's dream season in first round

Thunder blanked in first playoff game after perfect regular season

By Ed Patino, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: November 27, 2008

The magical season came to an unwanted end for the Trine University football team Nov. 22.

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Playing in their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff game, the Thunder were eliminated with a 14-0 loss to Wheaton (Ill.) College in the first round at Trine's Shive Field.

Trine (10-1) had its 13-game winning streak snapped and suffered its first loss since Oct. 27, 2007. It was also the first home loss for the Thunder since Oct. 28, 2006 against Hope College.

Wheaton (9-2) advanced to play Wabash in the second round of the Division III playoffs, which takes place Saturday.

After the teams exchanged stalled drives for most of the first quarter, Trine had a chance to draw first blood when Corrie Latta intercepted Wheaton quarterback Sean Norris at the Trine 44-yard line. A 38-yard run by Eric Watt put the ball at the Wheaton 13, but Jeremy Howard's 31-yard field goal went wide right in the final minute of the quarter.

Wheaton put together a 12-play, 58-yard scoring drive late in the second quarter. The possession was capped when Norris scored on a 2-yard sneak with 3:49 remaining in the half.

Wheaton had a chance to increase its lead later in the frame when it drove to the Trine 7-yard line, but Norris fumbled after taking a hit from two Thunder defenders, and Andrew Pickford (Sand Creek) recovered the ball, keeping Trine within 7-0 at halftime.

A 35-yard pass from Watt to Lemar Qualls, combined with a personal foul penalty against Wheaton, gave the Thunder the ball on the Wheaton 13 on the opening possession of the third quarter. However, Howard's field goal attempt was blocked.

On the ensuing possession, Norris connected with Alex Pokorny for a 50-yard completion. One play later, Norris hit Pokorny again for a 6-yard touchdown pass, giving Wheaton a 14-0 lead midway through the quarter.

Courtney Pearson came up with an interception and fumble recovery for Trine in the fourth quarter, but the Thunder were forced to punt on both ensuing possessions. With 2:09 remaining, Watt's 24-yard pass into the end zone was intercepted by Shane Woodward, clinching the victory for Wheaton.

Watt finished 20-of-48 passing for 278 yards for the Thunder. Qualls caught six passes for 110 yards, while Mario Brown added six catches for 101 yards.

Pearson led Trine's defense with a game-high 17 tackles. Ryan Rickaby (Adrian) added nine tackles and a sack, while Pickford and Aaron Selking each added eight tackles.

Norris was 23-of-32 passing for 315 yards for Wheaton. Pokorny had seven catches for 122 yards, while Freedy Ellis added six catches for 100 yards. Rocky Gingg ran 24 times for 111 yards.

In only their fifth season as a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Thunder captured their first league championship, going undefeated in the regular season. The successful campaign came four years after Trine went 0-10.

The MIAA remained winless in the NCAA Division III playoffs since 1994, when Albion College captured the national championship. The conference has since lost 11 straight playoff games.

Alma at Hope: Tim Elzinga ran for 242 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Hope College Flying Dutchmen to a 45-27 victory over the Alma College Scots in an MIAA regular season game Nov. 22 at Holland Municipal Stadium.

Jake Manning was 18-of-31 passing for 237 yards, one touchdowns and an interception for Hope (3-7, 3-3 MIAA). Scott Snyder had seven catches for 141 yards and a score, while Chris Batterbee had seven tackles to lead the Dutchmen's defense.

Mackenzie McGrady was 25-of-44 passing for 295 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Alma (5-5, 3-3 MIAA). Andrew Schaar had 11 catches for 101 yards, while Travis Martin had 13 tackles for the Scots.

The game was originally scheduled for Nov. 8, but a Norovirus outbreak on the Hope campus forced it to be postponed.

Staff Writer Ed Patino can be reached at 428-8173 or epatino@heritage.com.