Oct. 31, 2009

Final Stats

ADRIAN, Mich. - For the second straight week the weather played a big factor in the outcome of the Bulldogs' football game as they once again pulled out a win by scoring single digits in a 7-0 win over Alma in a critical MIAA matchup.

Both teams entered the game with identical 4-3 overall and 2-1 MIAA records and with the win the Bulldogs still have a chance to claim at least a share of the MIAA title. The Bulldogs will play at conference front-runner Trine University (7-1, 5-0 MIAA) next Saturday in a rematch of the conference championship game from a year ago.

Both defenses had the upper hand in windy conditions as Adrian held Alma to 168 total yards. On the flip side, Alma held Adrian to 277 total yards. The Bulldogs and Scots played a scoreless first quarter as there were four punts and a missed field goal by Adrian. The Bulldogs took their second drive and went 41 yards in 14 plays taking 6:57 off the clock but Justin Warner's 37-yard attempt was wide right kicking into a cross wind from left to right.

Alma had a chance to take the lead in the second quarter on their first drive of the quarter. The Scots moved the ball 67 yards in eight plays but the drive stalled on the Adrian three-yard line. Jon Reed carried the ball on fourth down and one but was stuffed for no gain by Rodney Donald and Jarred Kwiatkowski. The lone score in the contest came off an Alma miscue late in the first half. Mackenzie McGrady was intercepted by Jeff Makowski at the Alma 30-yard line with 18 seconds left in the half. On the second play of the drive, Mike McGee threw a far sideline route to Stevie Freeman who slipped a tackle and went 30 yards for the touchdown with five seconds to go until halftime. Warner's extra point made it 7-0.

The third quarter was the least productive of the game for both teams as Alma went 0-for-5 on third down and gained just six yards. Adrian also had just one first down in the quarter and gained 76 yards. Alma had the best scoring chance in the fourth quarter as they took possession over with 8:58 to go in the fourth. The Scots drove the ball to the Adrian 18-yard line but could not convert on fourth and 10. Adrian got two first downs and then took a knee because Alma used all three of their timeouts earlier in the half.

Myke Johnson carried the ball 14 times for 61 yards to lead Adrian. Mike McGee was 15-of-28 passing for 152 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Adrian held McGrady, the fourth-ranked total offense guy in Division III, to 12-of-34 passing for 118 yards and one interception. McGrady did gain 39 yards rushing on 17 carries. The Adrian defense knocked McGrady down all day long and had three sacks and six tackles for loss. Donald led the team with eight tackles.