Nov. 11 , 2006

BULLDOGS DROP FINALE AT ALMA, 45-28
Season ends as Scots blank Adrian in second half

By Ed Patino
Sports Information Assistant

ALMA, Mich. – With the game featuring wide open offense, the team that could make more defensive stops would come away with the victory.

The Alma College Scots were that team in the second half.

After a scoring frenzy by both teams in the first half, the Scots scored 17 straight points in the second half and pulled away for a 45-28 victory over the Adrian College Bulldogs in the season finale at Bahlke Field.

Adrian (5-5, 4-3 MIAA) finished the season fourth in the conference. Alma (6-4, 5-2 MIAA), which defeated the Bulldogs for third straight year, tied for second in the league with Olivet.

The teams combined for 851 total yards of offense in the shootout, with Alma outgaining the Bulldogs 524-327.

The teams exchanged scoring drives throughout the first half as the Bulldogs matched Alma’s potent “Scot-Gun” offense drive for drive. The Scots capitalized on and Adrian fumble at the 50-yard line early in the first half when standout quarterback Josh Brehm hit Joe Cline for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Adrian quickly answered on the ensuing drive when Andy Denryter found a wide-open Desmond Upshaw for a 15-yard touchdown strike, knotting the game 7-7.

The next possession saw Alma go 94 yards in 11 plays, capped when Kyle Ryan took an option pitch and ran 48 yards for a score, giving the Scots a 13-7 lead. The extra points went wide left.

The Bulldogs took their only lead of the game on the final play of the first quarter. Denryter capped a 58-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Phil Widzinski, and James Spencer’s kick put Adrian up 14-13.

Both teams were stopped on their next drives, but Alma regained the lead midway through the second quarter. Brehm capped an 82-yard, eight-play drive with a 27-yard scoring pass to Nate Jervey, then ran in a two-point conversion, giving the Scots a 21-14 lead.

Adrian fought back again, moving 67-yard in six plays on the ensuing drive. Denryter’s eight-yard touchdown pass to Troy Niblock tied the game at 21 with 5:33 remaining in the half. But Alma responded three minutes later when Ryan scored on a one-yard run, capping a 56-yard, eight-play drive.

Denryter hit Brian McKenna with a 14-yard pass on third-and-10 to the Alma 6-yard line in the final minute of the half, setting up another score three plays later. Denryter snuck in a four-yard touchdown with 28 seconds remaining, making it 28-28 heading into the break.

Alma’s defense took over in the second half. Denryter was intercepted by Kyle Percival at the Alma 21 on the opening drive of the half, and the Scots capitalized just under six minutes in. Ryan scored on a two-yard run, giving Alma a 35-28 lead.

The Bulldogs drove to the Alma 27 on the ensuing possession, but Spencer’s 44-yard field went wide right. Adrian appeared to have live when it forced a three-and-out and A.J. Marry blocked a punt at the Alma 30. However, two incomplete passes and a sack forced Adrian to punt.

The Scots capped a 10-play, 51-yard drive on the third play of the fourth quarter when Dan Seals booted a 40-yard field goal, then Alma recovered an Adrian fumble at the Bulldogs’ 34. Brehm fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Stephens five plays later, giving the Scots a 45-28 lead.

Adrian’s final three possessions saw the Scots twice force a three and out and Percival intercept Denryter again to clinch the game.

Denryter finished 22-of-35 passing for 297 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. McKenna caught five passes for 67 yards, while Upshaw had 88 yards on four catches. Widzinski made three catches for 59 yards and Chester Evans had 47 yards on five catches. Niblock led Adrian’s rushing game with 31 yards on seven carries.

Seniors Tavarski “Taz” Wallace, Mark Westenberg and Marry led the Bulldogs’ defense in their final collegiate game. Wallace made a game-high 18 tackles, while Westenberg recorded 12 tackles. Marry finished with 10 tackles, including two for a loss. Chris Elsey made eight tackles, while Aaron Kieltyka and Kyle Dunaj each added seven tackles.

Brehm was 29-for-44 passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns for Alma. Stephens caught 10 passes for 97 yards, while Cline had 92 yards on nine catches. Ryan finished with 134 yards on 21 carries to lead Alma’s ground game. James Lang made seven tackles for the Scots’ defense.

Thanks in large part to its senior class, the Bulldogs posted a 27-13 record over the past four seasons.