ALBION -- Champions.
For the 38th time in school history, and second in a row, the Albion College football team can call themselves MIAA Champions. With a 34-7 win over Alma College, the Britons punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, earning the automatic bid from the league.
Justin Thomas broke a 25-year record, becoming Albion's all-time leader in receiving yards. Hauling in nine catches for 99 yards, the senior now has 2,537 career receiving yards, passing Chris Barnett (1993-96).
KEY STATS
On his senior day, quarterback Jack Bush was an efficient 22 of 29 for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Phillip Jones-Price was Albion's leading rusher, racking u p 90 yards on the ground. Thomas's 99 yards led all receivers.
Defensively, a number of Britons made an impact in the win. Nick Fannon registered four tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Mark Tocco was incredible on special teams, making a big fourth down tackle on a fake punt and blocking a punt.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After forcing Alma into a three and out, the Britons marched down the field, culminating in an eight yard touchdown run by Jacob Clark. An extra point by Jackson Cooney gave the hosts an early 7-0 lead.
On the second play of the second quarter, Bush connected with Kolby Canfield for a four yard TD. Despite a missed PAT, Albion still held a 13-0 advantage. On Albion's next possession, set up in great field position thanks to the fake punt stop by Tocco, Clark's second touchdown of the afternoon extended the lead to 20-0.
The Brits tacked on one more score before the half ended, as Bush connected with Canfield for the senior's fifth touchdown of the season.
Alma threatened in the final minute of the half, until a forced fumble by Bobby Willis, scooped up by Jeremiah Major just outside the red zone eliminated any chance of the Scots getting on the scoreboard.
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Albion's defense forced yet another three and out, making the visitors punt on their first possession of the new half. Tocco got a hand on the ball, giving Albion the ball back at the Alma 31. The hosts capitalized, scoring for the final time of the day when Bush laced a pass to Kyle Thomas.
The Briton defense was illustrious, allowing just 108 yards by the Scots and recording five three and outs. On the other side of the ball, Albion pounded out 469 yards of total offense.
QUOTES FROM THE COACH
"Skylyr is the man, I knew he'd be ready for us," said head coach Dustin Beurer on the play of Skylyr ZInk, stepping up on the offensive line.
"Everybody stepped up that we needed to step up, it's not over and we're excited," said Beurer.
EXTRA YARDS
Albion wraps up the regular season 9-1 overall, 5-1 in the MIAA. The nine wins is the most since the 2015 team (9-2), who also secured the MIAA title.
Prior to the game, Albion recognized its 22 seniors -- Bush, Canfield, Clark, Zink, Chase Knopf, Drew Shafer, Levi Ladd, Mitch Arendsen, Babacar Diop, Brandon Wylie, David Aukema, Jarius Ballard, Jacob Tietsema, Jarret Nighswander, Derek Crowley, Daniel Sweikowsky, Cullen Cox, Ryan Roberts, Morgan Greenman, Cristian Miller and the Thomas brothers.
Albion learns its fate tomorrow evening with the NCAA DIII Football selection show, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The show will be streamed at NCAA.com, and all further links will be shared tomorrow.
