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Football
Outlook
Trine boasts 40 returning lettermen and 14 of 23 returning starters from 2008's 10-1 team. The Thunder went undefeated in the regular season, claiming the program's first MIAA title. Before their opening round playoff loss to Wheaton in 2008, the Thunder climbed as high as 19th in the American Football Coaches Association poll and 20th in the d3football.com vote.
Success builds more expectations and a target for 2009. According to head coach Matt Land, it's all about how players adapt to their new roles when he assesses the new season. [more]
Plan your visit to Trine University today.
Tuesdays - Feb 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, Mar 2nd, 16th, 23rd and 30th
Saturdays - Feb 13th, 27th,
Mar 20th, 27th
Trine University football finished 2009 with its highest NCAA Division III rankings ever. The Thunder (10-2) finished 16th in the American Football Coaches Association poll and 17th in the D3football.com ballot. The results were released Monday.
The Thunder climbed as high as No. 20 in the AFCA and No. 22 in the D3 Football Week 3 polls on September 21, but a 30-29 loss to Franklin that same week knocked Trine out of both Top-25 polls for the rest of the season.
The Thunder responded winning eight straight, including an upset of Case-Western 51-38 in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder lost to Wittenberg 34-17 in the second round of the playoffs. They also finished 6-0 winning the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association for the second straight season.
D3football Final Poll AFCA Division III Final Poll
Junior Kicker Jeremy Howard (Elkhart, Indiana/Concord) was named a second-team
ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American. Howard is an elementary
education
major and has maintained a 3.89 GPA.
As a kicker, Howard was 47-of-55 in extra point kicking, 10-of-12 in field goals
and had 74 kickoffs of 4,270 yards, an average of 57.7 yards an attempt.
The award is presented by ESPN the Magazine and selected by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America. [ESPN article]
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Wittenberg scored three unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter en route to a 34-17 victory over Trine Saturday in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Trine ends its season 10-2. Wittenberg is now 12-0 and advances to NCAA Division III Regional semi-final.
Trine tied it 7-7 with 14:55 to play in the second quarter when Devin Leas (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) scored on a one yard run. Trine cut it to 34-17 at 10:36 in the fourth quarter when Mario Brown (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) rushed for a nine yard touchdown.
Wittenberg churned out 468 yards of total offense. Trine finished with 250 yards of offense.
Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) finished with 14-of-28 passing for 141 yards. Leas led Trine with 10 carries for 48 yards.
Aaron Huffman completed 16-of-21 passes for 208 yards and five touchdowns. Corey Weber rushed 34 times for 204 yards to power Wittenberg.
CLEVELAND - Devin Leas (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) scored three touchdowns and Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./NorthWood) rushed for 113 yards as Trine stunned No. 9 Case Western 51-38 Saturday in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Trine pounded out 503 yards of total offense including 275 yards rushing in the win. Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) completed 12-of-17 passes for 206 yards and five touchdowns. Aaron Shoemaker (Onsted, Mich./Onsted) recorded 16 total tackles for Trine.
Trailing 14-0 early, Trine outscored the host Spartans 51-24 to grab their first ever NCAA playoff victory. Trine will now face No. 12 Wittenberg Saturday at Noon in Springfield, Ohio.
The Tigers blasted Mount St. Joseph 42-14.
Fans attending the NCAA playoff game between Trine and Case Western Reserve may
purchase tickets Saturday only at the Case football stadium. Tickets are available at
11 a.m. sharp. The stadium has one side of seating, but Trine fans will have a
designated seating and tailgate
area. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for students.
Directions:
From Angola via the Ohio Turnpike (Interstate 80), exit at Exit 142 and follow
Interstate 90 east. Shortly after passing the downtown exits, exit at Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard. Proceed south for about a mile to the East 105th traffic light; cross East
105th and bear right through the traffic circle, continuing along Martin Luther King Jr.
Boulevard to Euclid Avenue. Turn left onto Euclid and watch for the Information Booth
at the right.
[Click here for directions to Case Western Reserve]
[Campus map]
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - Following his record setting season Trine University quarterback
Eric Watt was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Offensive Most
Valuable Player. Watt, a junior, rushed for 443 yards and scored three touchdowns.
He completed 153-of-233 passes for 1,814 yards and a team-record 21 touchdowns.
Nine Trine players were First Team All-MIAA selections in the annual post-season poll
of coaches. Five other Thunder players were Second-Team selections.
Trine will continue its season Saturday in the NCAA Division III playoffs at Case Western Reserve
in Cleveland, Ohio. Kickoff is set for Noon.
Offensive MVP:
Eric Watt, Trine (junior from Kentland, Ind./South Newton)
All-MIAA First Team
Offense
QB - Eric Watt, Trine** (junior from Kentland, Ind./South Newton)
RB - Kent Biller, Trine* (sophomore from Nappanee, Ind./NorthWood)
TE - Nick Leeman, Trine* (senior from Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Heights)
OL - James Greenlee, Trine (senior from Columbus, Ind./North)
OL - Bryce Sims, Trine* (junior from Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City)
Defense
DL - Matt Medina, Trine* (junior from Decatur, Ind./Adams Central)
LB - Jake Vance, Trine* (junior from Fenton/Lake Fenton)
DB - Aaron Selking, Trine* (junior from Decatur, Ind./Adams Central)
Specialists
K - Jeremy Howard, Trine** (junior from Elkhart, Ind./Concord)
All-MIAA Second Team
Offense
WR - Paul Curtis, Trine (junior from Cassopolis/Ross Beatty)
WR - Mario Brown, Trine (sophomore from Battle Creek/Battle Creek Central)
O L - Deryck Jefferies, Trine (senior from Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead)
OL - Tyler Terry, Trine (junior from Stroh, Ind./Prairie Heights)
Defense
LB - Aaron Shoemaker, Trine (sophomore from Onsted/Onsted)
DB - Ryan Rickaby, Trine (sophomore from Adrian/Adrian)
** denotes previous All-MIAA selections
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NCAA released the pairings for the 2009 Division III Football playoffs today. Trine University will open with Case Western Reserve in the first round. The Spartans will host Trine Saturday in a Noon kickoff in eastern Cleveland, Ohio.
Ninth-ranked Case Western is 10-0 and the University Athletic Association champion. Trine captured its second-consecutive playoff berth by winning the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with a 6-0 record. The Thunder finished 9-1 overall.
Just thirty-two teams were selected for the Division III playoffs.
Click here for the D-III football playoff pairings.
Click here for Case Western Reserve information.
Trine will learn it’s opening round playoff destination Sunday afternoon and Thunder
fans are invited to be a part of it. The second annual “Selection Sunday” celebration
begins
at 2:30 p.m. at Fabiani Theater in University Center. Pairings are expected to be
announced between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Results are also available live on ESPNews (DirectTV channel 207/Dish Network
channel 142). Information available at www.D3football.com or www.ncaa.com
to find more playoff information. Click here for playoff bracket.
Trine notched its ninth win of the season in a 36-21 victory over Kentucky Christian Saturday at Shive Field. The win extends the Thunder regular-season home winning streak to 14 straight. It also caps the third straight winning season for Trine.
The Thunder (9-1, 6-0 MIAA) got things started quickly jumping out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and expanded its lead to 36-7 in the third quarter before lifting its starters in preparation for the NCAA Division III playoffs next week.
Trine used eleven players to rush for 159 yards, Devin Leas had 10 carries for 53 yards; Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) rushed 4 times for 39 yards. Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beatty) grabbed five passes for 151 yards, including a 59 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) completed 6-of-12 passes for 142 yards including two touchdowns. In the process, Watt sets a single season record with 21 touchdown passes. The previous best as was 19 set by Nick Wellman in 1999.
Ryan Hargraves (Taylor, Mich./Taylor) connected on 6-of-9 passes for 68 yards in the second half. The Thunder finished with 12-of-21 passing for 210 yards.
All totaled, Kentucky Christian, a member of the NAIA's Mid-South Conference compiled 384 yards of total offense, including 188 yards rushing. The Thunder tallied 369.
Aaron Selking (Decatur, Ind./Adams Central) led the defensive core having a hand in 10 tackles, including two tackles for a loss. Jacob Vance (Fenton, Mich./Fenton) had six solo tackles and four assists and an interception. Chris Eichman (Yoder, Ind./Carroll) had five solos and four assists and one sack. Trine recorded seven sacks.
It’s one last chance to get the kinks worked out for the Thunder. Trine grabbed its second-consecutive conference title as well as a NCAA Division III playoff berth Saturday holding off Adrian 21-16. Trine’s home winning streak grows to 13 straight in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Knights are looking for an opportunity to grow their program. In just their second season of football, KYU recorded its first win October 24 versus Faulkner.
Against Adrian, the Thunder unveiled an often overlooked strength of the team, defense. While the offense has posted high scoring games, the defense has done just fine making big plays, especially when it matters most.
The Knights like to run the ball and they have the tools to do it. The Knights are led offensively by quarterback Beau Daily and running backs Ronnie Smith and Jake Hughes. Daily has big-play potential, he’s rushed for 512 yards while passing for 943 yards. Hughes has rushed for 582 yards, teammate Smith is averaging 3.8 yards a carry and 461 yards overall.
Trine faces a Knights team that’s had a fair amount of success against the pass. They’ve limited their opponents to just 134 yards a game.
Trine learns its playoff destination tomorrow afternoon when the NCAA Division III pairings are made official. Fans are encouraged to participate in the second annual “Selection Sunday” celebration at Fabiani Theater in the University Center. Festivities get under way at 2:30 p.m. Pairings are expected to be announced between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Albion running back Clinton Orr, Trine defensive back Aaron Shoemaker and Albion kicker Mychal Galla its Players of the Week in football for games played November 7.
Shoemaker, a sophomore from Onsted, Mich., made 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops, in leading Trine to a 21-16 victory over Adrian that clinched the Thunder’s second consecutive MIAA championship. He had three tackles totaling 16 yards in losses and one quarterback sack. He is being honored as Player of the Week for the second time this season and in his career.
It was expected to be a defensive battle and it lived up to the hype as Trine notched its second straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title in a 21-16 victory Saturday at Shive Field.
“They’ve been pretty steady all year. I mean this is what they’ve done all year," Trine Coach Matt Land said. "They make big plays all year when we need them. We executed and that’s what you have to do to win football games. We knew it was going to be a dog fight and it proved to be one.”
The Thunder (8-1, 6-0) gutted out just 279 yards of total offense, including 127 yards passing in the contest. Adrian had 266 total yards - 87 rushing.
Trine took their biggest lead with 7:18 to play in the second quarter when Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beatty) scored on a two-yard pass from Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) before Adrian took a 16-14 lead at halftime. The play was set up by a 57-yard interception return by Adrian's Austin Fritz. Two plays later Justin Hemm scored on a four-yard run.
The Thunder regained the lead, 21-16 when Eric Watt ran for a 24-yard score at the 10:31 mark in the third quarter. Neither team would score the rest of the game.
Trine hosts Kentucky Christian University (1-9), a NAIA program based in Grayson, Ky. The victory also clinches Trine's second NCAA Division III playoff berth.
Just a reminder that Saturday's contest with Adrian remains a 1 p.m. kickoff at Shive Field.
Gates open at 12 Noon sharp. Thunder fans are urged to dress in white for the second
annual "Whiteout" against Adrian. Fans unable to attend the game may listen to WEAX Radio coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. on 88.3 FM in Angola, or online worldwide at www.88xradio.com/sports.php
The forecast calls for Sunny skies and temperatures near the 60s for Saturday’s
Adrian-Trine football game, but there will be whiteout conditions throughout Shive Field.
Fans are urged to attend wearing all-white for the contest to show support for the Thunder football team. A victory against Adrian will clinch Trine’s second-straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and a berth in the 2010 NCAA Division III football playoffs, November 21.
Gates open at 12 Noon, kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for non-Trine students. Trine students and staff are admitted free.
White athletic apparel, including tee-shirts and sweatshirts, is available through the Trine Athletic Department, visit the Hershey Hall offices or call (260) 665-4141 for more details.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named
Olivet running back Pat Clasgens, Olivet linebacker Cam Bramer and Trine
kicker/punter
Jeremy Howard its Players of the Week in football for games
played Oct. 31.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Howard, a junior from Elkhart, Ind.(Concord), booted field goals of 27 and 28 yards and
added three extra points in Trine’s 33-14 victory over Albion. He also averaged 60.3
yards per kickoff on seven kicks, and punted twice for a 41-yard average. Howard
is being honored as Player of the Week for the second time this season and third
time in his career.
ALBION, Mich. - Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) ran for 135 yards, while Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) rushed for 66 yard and threw for another 90 yards as the Thunder downed Albion 33-14 Saturday in MIAA football.
The win puts Trine in position to win the MIAA title next Saturday when the Thunder host Adrian.
Devin Leas (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) and Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind.,/Northwood) both rushed for 100 yards and Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) was efficient, completing 16-of-20 passes for 199 in a 41-20 win over Kalamazoo Saturday at Shive Field.
With the win, Trine maintains a one-game lead in the MIAA. It also marks the fourth time the Thunder have scored forty points in a game this season - a new record.
Ja Vonte Hence (Elkhart, Ind.,/Concord) grabbed four passes for 65 yards, Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich.,/Ross Beatty) had three catches for 60 yards. Curtis had touchdown catches of 4 and 49 yards. Leas had touchdown runs of 12 and 48 yards.
It was hardly a defensive gem as the Hornets tallied more than 430 yards of offense. When the dust settled, the Kalamazoo completed 41-of-59 passes for 325 passing.
Trine is back in action Saturday at Albion. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., WEAX broadcast coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. Click here to listen.
10.23 -Thunder host Hornets Saturday
Trine returns to Shive Field for the first time in two weeks and with it a one-game lead in the MIAA standings. The Thunder (5-1, 3-0 MIAA) have won three straight and face a much-improved Kalamazoo (4-3, 1-2 MIAA) squad.
Last time out, the Thunder pummeled Olivet 42-17 as Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) ran for 174 yards and three scores and Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) threw for 24 yards. The Hornets fell to Alma 33-23. Kalamazoo managed just 67 yards rushing, but totalled more than 405 overall in the loss.
Kalamazoo features a high-scoring offense led by quarterback Brandon Luczak. The senior has thrown for more than 2,600 yards and 27 touchdowns. His favorite targets are Cory McClain and Jimmy Semelsberger, both are closing in on 1,000 yards receiving and have combined for 22 touchdown receptions.
The Thunder counter with an aggressive secondary led by Aaron Shoemaker (Onsted Mich./Onsted), Ryan Rickaby (Adrian, Mich./Adrian) and Aaron Selking (Decatur, Ind./Bellmont). Between the three, they’ve tallied 86 tackles and four interceptions. The game should be a display of offensive might, but will ultimately be determined by the team that comes up with big plays and big stops.
The Junior varsioty football game with Albion scheduled for Monday, October 26 has been canceled.
OLIVET, Mich. - Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) scored three touchdowns
and rushed 19 times for 174 yards as the Thunder blasted Olivet 42-17
Saturday in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play.
Trine (5-1, 3-0 MIAA) took a 28-0 lead late in the second quarter en route to their
third straight victory. The win, coupled with an Adrian loss, puts the Thunder in
sole possession of first-place in the MIAA.
Biller scored on runs of two, nine, 10, and nine yards for the Thunder who pounded out 521 yards of total offense.
Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) completed 11-of-22 passes for 240 yards. Mario Brown (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) caught two passes for 72 yards. Adam Kurtz (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) had three receptions for 55 yards. Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beatty) had three catches for 48 yards.
Kenneth Kill (Cromwell, Ind./West Noble) recorded seven solo tackles, including a sack. Aaron Selking(Decatur, Ind./Adams Central) combined for eight tackles and grabbed an interception. Matt Medina (Decatur, Ind./Adams Central) had five solo tackles including a sack.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine 
quarterback Eric Watt, Hope linebacker Zach Jones and Alma wide receiver/return
specialist Andrew Schaar its Players of the Week in football for games played October 10.
Offensive Player of the Week: Watt, a junior from Kentland, Ind. (South Newton HS),
completed 18 of 24 passes for 209 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Thunder
to a 51-14 victory over Alma. He added 50 yards rushing on four carries and scored
another touchdown. Watt is being honored as Player of the Week for the fourth time
in his career.
ALMA, Mich.- Trine rushed for 303 yards and passed for another 208 in a 51-14 win Saturday in MIAA football.
Trine (4-1, 2-0) fell behind 7-0 early in the first quarter, before scoring 44 unanswered points to improve to remain in the conference lead. Kent Biller (Napanee, Ind./NorthWood) rushed 14 times for 99 yards including a touchdown. Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) completed 18-of-24 passes for 204 yards and four touchdown passes.
The Thunder are back in action Saturday at Olivet. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. on WEAX 88.3 FM or click here to listen online.
Jeremy Howard and Aaron Shoemaker have another award following their role in a 38-35 win over Hope Saturday. The duo have been selected to D3football.com's Team of the week. It's the second week in a row a Trine player has been honored. Last week Jacob Vance was selected. [more]
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has
named Adrian quarterback Mike McGee, Trine defensive back Aaron
Shoemaker and Trine punter/placekicker Jeremy Howard its Players
of the Week in football for games played Saturday, October 3.
Defensive Player of the Week
Shoemaker, a sophomore from Onsted (Onsted HS), made 18 1/2
tackles, including three for losses totaling 18 yards, as the defending
MIAA champion Thunder defeated Hope in their conference opener,
38-35. Shoemaker is being honored as MIAA Player of the Week for
the first time in his career.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Howard, a junior from Elkhart, Ind. (Concord HS), kicked a 46-yard field goal and added
five extra points in Trine’s win over Hope. He also averaged 38.2 yards per punt on four
kicks with a long of 45 yards. Howard is being honored as MIAA Player of the Week
for the first time in his career.
Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) rushed 25 times for 167 yards, including two touchdowns. Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) rushed for 55 yards on 13 carries. Watt also threw for 192 yards on 15-of-18 passing. Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beaty) had three receptions for 70 yards.
Hope took a 14-0 lead in first quarter. The Thunder took the lead for good in at 8:14 left in the third quarter when Sam Morthhorst (Elkhart, Ind./Central) grabbed an eight yard pass from Watt to take a 24-21 lead Trine held a 10 point lead twice before Hope cut it to 38-35 with :58 to play in the fourth quarter.
Trine faces Alma Saturday on the road. Catch the action on WEAX 88.3 FM or listen online by clicking here. Pre-game coverage begins at 1 p.m.
Trine opens up MIAA play Saturday hosting the Hope College Flying Dutchmen. The Thunder (2-1) is motivated and focused following a 30-29 loss Saturday at Franklin. The game was a shootout with both teams combining for nearly 900 yards of total offense.
Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) rushed for 120 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. He also completed 27-of-39 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wide out Paul Curtis (Cassopolis,Mich./Ross Beatty)
grabbed two touchdown passes and finished with 106 yards of receiving
Hope (0-4) lost 32-20 to No. 4 ranked Wheaton Saturday in suburban Chicago. Wheaton jumped out to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter with Hope cutting the lead to just 26-20 in the final quarter before Wheaton finished things off. Tim Elzinga of Hope rushed 22 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns. It’s been a frustrating season for Hope, three-of-the four Dutchmen losses have been by seven points or less.
Hope has given up 138 points on the season, but quarterback Chris Feys has long ball capability and can put points on the board. On the season he’s thrown 77 times for 151 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. He averages 224 yards a game passing. He has a number of options including Kyle Dietrich, Jared Hudson, and David DeBoer. Each has at least 100 yards of receiving yards this season.
On the ground, Elzinga has scored four touchdowns and averages nearly 93 yards a game.
Trine and Hope hooked up last fall in Holland, Mich. with Trine outlasting Dutchmen 31-30. Today’s contest looks to have the same intensity and plenty of offense.
FRANKLIN, Ind. - Trailing 23-10 in the third quarter, the host Grizzlies mounted a 13-point comeback to grab a 30-29 win over Trine Saturday. It is the first loss regular season loss for the Thunder since October of 2007.
Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) ran 7 times for 120 yards and connected on 27-of-39 passes 233 yards and three touchdowns. Devin Leas (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) had 13 carries for 98 yards.
Trine hosts Hope Saturday at 1 p.m. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 12:30 p.m. with Aaron Coyle. Click here to LISTEN LIVE or turn to 88.3 on your radio.
FRANKLIN, Ind. -Trine returns to action Saturday at Franklin.The Thunder, now 2-0, amassed more than 500 yards of total offense in a 40-9 rout of Defiance. The Grizzlies enjoyed a bye Saturday after a 49-19 week two loss to NCAA Division I FCS Butler. Franklin was spanked for 519 yards of total offense in their home opener.
Last time these teams hooked up, the Thunder held off Franklin 30-27 at Shive Field.The win marked the first victory over a ranked opponent as an NCAA program.
Trine’s victory over Defiance vaulted the Thunder into the 20TH spot in the American Football Coaches Top 25, and 22nd in the D3football.com poll. Franklin dropped from the poll after the loss. Trine enters this game with a balanced mix of running and passing - running for 197 yards a game, and passing for another 192. Opponents have rushed for 70 yards a game and 231 passing. Trine scores 28.5 points a game, while surrendering 11.5.
Junior quarterback Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) leads the Thunder in rushing and passing. He has thrown for 373 yards and run 21 times for 127 yards. Sophomore Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) has 18 carries for 108 yards.
Freshman wide out Ja Vontae Hence (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) has emerged as a major component of the Thunder attack. Hence has caught 7 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown in two games.
Franklin has averaged 310 yards of passing a game, while rushing for 42 yards per game. Opponents have averaged 145 yards rushing and 310 yards passing a contest. The Grizzlies have given up 40 points a game, while scoring 28.5.
Kyle Ray takes the snaps for the Grizzlies. He has thrown for 465 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first 2 games. His favorite targets are Adam Mellencamp and Mitch Deffner. Both wide outs have totaled 188 yards and a touchdown a piece. Both have long ball capability and could keep the Thunder secondary busy.
Join Aaron Coyle with all the coverage beginning at 1 p.m. on WEAX 88.3 FM or online at www.88xradio.com
Trine pounded out nearly 500 yards of total offense in a 40-9 win over Defiance Saturday at Shive Field. Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) completed 23-of-29 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 70 yards. to lead the Thunder to their second win and vaults them six spots to No. 22 in the D3football.com poll and No. 20 in the AFCA poll Click here for more.
Trine welcomes Defiance to Shive Field for the 2009 home opener and make no mistake, today's game will revolve largely around the ground game. The team that establishes its running game early and controls the line of scrimmage will have the upper hand in securing it's second win of the season.
The Thunder (1-0) haven't played in more than two weeks and look to have the bugs worked out of their system after a 16-14 win over Manchester in the season-opener September 3. Defiance (1-1) fell to Adrian 31-16 last week, after opening with a 13-7 win over Muskingum.
The Thunder had their struggles early against Manchester, before scoring 16 unanswered points to secure the win. The Thunder amassed 262 total yards, including 139 yards rushing while allowing 337 yards against Manchester. The Thunder held Manchester scoreless in the final three quarters.
Quarterback Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) connected on 13-of-31 passes for 123 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran 10 times for 57 yards. Kent Biller (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) had eight carries for 40 yards. Biller also had a touchdown reception for the Thunder. Ja Vontae Hence (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) grabbed four passes for 54 yards in his first game ever for the Thunder.
Defiance's attack is keyed around running backs Troy Bell and Drew Kuesel. Bell is averaging 64 yards a game. He's carried the ball 27 times for 129 yards and one touchdown. Kuesel has 30 carries for 127 yards - an average of 63 yards per game. He also has one touchdown.
At quarterback, the Yellow Jackets have seen action from Rick Powell and Austin Karcher. Karcher has completed 13-of-20 passes for 101 yards with two touchdowns. Powell is 11-of-30 for 145 yards with an interception. Powell has also run 13 times this season for 28 yards.
Pre-game coverage gets underway at 12:45 p.m. with Aaron Coyle. Click here to LISTEN LIVE or turn to 88.3 on your radio.
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - Trine’s offense sputtered and its defense got off to a shaky start, but both were smooth-enough long-enough to post a 16-14 win over Manchester Thursday.
Jeremy Howard's (Elkhart, Ind./Concord) 27-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining in
the contest capped
a 16 point comeback to give Trine (1-0) its first win in 2009.
The Thunder struggled mightily unable to move the ball on each of its first
six
possessions. Trine managed just three first down conversions before
halftime, all
in the final five minutes of the second quarter. [Box score]
Manchester tallied more than 337 yards of total offense and held the ball for more then 30 minutes total. They also stunned the Thunder by taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and kept the visitors at bay into the fourth quarter.
On its first possession, Caleb Grimes teamed up with Brandon Wells for a 52-yard touchdown pass with 12:47 to play in the opening stanza.
With 1:10 remaining in the quarter, Adam Schell made it a two touchdown game. Schell weaved his way through the Trine secondary to score on a 41 yard-run
Early Spartan fortunes were short-lived as Trine scored 16 unanswered points to post the comeback.
A bad snap on a would-be Manchester punt put the Thunder in scoring position. Five plays later, Kent Biller snagged a one yard-pass from Eric Watt at the goal line to make it 14-7, with seven seconds remaining in the second quarter.
With 13:35 left in the fourth quarter, Watt found Paul Curtis (Cassopolis,Mich./Ross Beatty)
with an 11 yard pass to cut the lead to 14-13. The point after attempt was blocked. 
Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) rushed 10 times for 57 yards and Kent Biller
(Nappanee, Ind./NorthWood)
added 8 carries for 40. Watt also threw for 123 yards with
two touchdowns and two
interception, while
completing 13-of-31 passes for Trine.
Freshman receiver Javon Hence (Elkhart, Ind./Concord)
had four catches for 54
yards. Adam Kurtz (Kendallville, Ind./East Noble) caught
three passes
for 11 yards.
Defensively for the Thunder, Kyle Sherwood (Hanover, Mich./Hanover Horton) recorded 6 solo tackles and three assists. Jacob Vance (Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton had four solo stops and combined for five others.
Trine will return to action September at Shive Field versus Defiance. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Pre-game coverage gets underway at 12:45 p.m. with Aaron Coyle. Click here to LISTEN LIVE or turn to 88.3 on your radio.
North Manchester, Ind. - It’s a rare Thursday night affair for the Trine Thunder as they kickoff the 2009 football season under the lights at Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana.
The Spartans and Thunder hooked up last September in the season opener at Shive Field.The Thunder made quick work of their in-state rivals, thumping Manchester 41-13. The game set the tone for the Thunder who enjoyed a magical regular season, finishing 10-1 and 6-0 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. It was the best season in program history, including a conference title and a first-ever NCAA playoff berth.
Manchester also enjoyed one of their best seasons in years, finishing 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Heartland Athletic Conference. Incidentally, the best Manchester finish since 1997.
Quarterback Eric Watt (Kentland, Ind/South Newton) leads the offense for the Thunder. As a sophomore, Watt threw for 2,015 yards and rushed for 455 more. For the Spartans senior Caleb Grimes will take the snaps. Grimes connected for 2,012 yards passing and 15 touchdowns.
Job one for the Thunder is to stop the Spartan running game. The Thunder defense must stop senior running back Brandon Wells. Manchester will face a Trine offense that has "quick-strike" ability and a defense that takes advance of fumbles and interceptions and doesn’t give opponents much to work with, especially on the ground..
Thursday’s game is a homecoming of sorts for three freshman Thunder players, Kyle Henderson, a running back, Corey Thomas, a wide receiver and Nathan Miller, a tight end played at Manchester HigH School.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Listen to 88XS live coverage beginning at 6:45 p.m. LISTEN LIVE or tune to 88.3 FM on your radio.
Holland, Mich. - MIAA coaches and media members tab Trine as the
team to
beat in the annual pre-season football poll.Click Here for more info.
Fresh off their first NCAA playoff appearance Trine University was tabbed an
honorable mention today in the annual D3football.com annual Top 25 preseason
poll. Click here for the poll.
The Thunder just missed the Top-25 with 86 total votes. The D3football.com
Top 25 is
voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors
and media members
from across the country, and is published weekly.
The Thunder finished the 2008 campaign with a 10-1 record, while finishing 10-0 in the regular season and capturing its first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title. Trine returns 14 of 23 starters for 2009. The Thunder open the 2009 season Thursday, September 3 at Manchester College, in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Trine is the only MIAA school in the poll, while Wabash (18), Franklin (19) and DePauw (25) are the other Indiana schools ranked. Trine travels to Franklin,September 26 in a 1:30 p.m. game. Wheaton, Trine’s playoff opening round playoff opponent was ranked sixth.
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