KENOSHA, Wis. – New faces. Same results.
A new coaching staff, new leaders and new prime players did nothing but shine in the Albion College football team's 2023 debut. The Britons bookended their day by having big first and fourth quarters to defeat Carthage College, 41-20.
Fifth year senior Phillip Jones-Price rushed for a career-high 142 yards with a touchdown in the victory. Quarterback Luke Lovell was 23 of 36 for 254 yards and a trio of touchdowns to lead the Brits under center.
11 different players had receptions, as Kye Bristow's 60 yards and two touchdown afternoon led the way.
Jayth Joseph had a career day on defense, recording seven total tackles – including three for loss. Sophomore Logan Grwinski was a perfect 5 for 5 in PATs.
Senior captain James Bloomfield took the opening kickoff for 48 yards. Combined with a facemask penalty, the Brits were already in business. On the second play from scrimmage, Lovell connected with Dilon Denison perfectly in stride for a 28-yard touchdown and an early lead. Grwinski's PAT saw the visitors up by seven less than a minute into the contest.
With 3:14 to play in the opening period, Albion doubled its advantage. On a third and 10, Lovell found Bristow over the middle for a 21-yard TD. The score was set up by a tremendous grab by Devin Fridley-Bell, bringing down a 38-yard pass and pushing the Brits into Carthage territory. The catch was one of Fridley-Bell's team-best five in the contest.
On the ensuing Carthage possession, Albion's special teams came up big. Greg Piscopink blocked the punt and Cameron Moore collected the loose ball for a scoop and score touchdown. The 26-yard recovery followed by Grwinski's PAT saw Albion leading 21-0 after one.
Grwinski recorded the only points for the Brits in the second quarter, sailing a 22-yard field goal through the uprights to push the lead to 24-0. Carthage got on the board midway through the period, but Michael Pruchnic blocked the PAT, as the visitors took a 24-6 lead into halftime.
Grwinski tacked on a 29 yarder in the third, while the Firebirds found the end zone for a second time. Heading into the final 15 minutes, Albion held a 27-12 advantage.
Another touchdown over the middle to Bristow – this one for 17 yards – inflated the Albion lead to 34-12. Their final score came when Jones-Price broke through the defense and raced for a 79-yard score.
Bloomfield was a force on kickoff returns, accounting for 86 yards. His best was a 62-yard return that came in the third quarter.
Head coach Travis Rundle earns his first victory at Albion. For the sixth season in a row, the Brits picked up a win in their season opener.
Albion remains on the road next weekend when they travel to Bluffton University. Kickoff in Ohio is slated for 6 p.m.
