Trine Outlasts Tigers in Football Playoff Shootout, 45-35
November 20, 2010
Also: Photo Gallery
November 20, 2010, Greencastle, Ind. — The first-ever NCAA football playoff game at Blackstock Stadium was a shootout, as DePauw University battled back from a 20 point deficit, only to lose to Trine University, which came in ranked #8 in the nation, 45-35. Four Tiger turnovers were the difference. DePauw, which qualified for the Division III championships by winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, ends its season with a 9-2 record. Trine remains undefeated at 11-0 and moves on to the second round of the playoffs.
DePauw marched 85 yards on the opening drive, 61 of them coming through two Michael Engle to Alex Koors passes, with Derrick Karazsia taking it in from 2 yards out with 12:24 left in the opening period.
About four minutes later, Trine answered with a 10 yard run for paydirt by quarterback Eric Watt.
The visitors stopped the Tigers on the next drive and responded with a 4 play, 37 yard scoring drive, capped by a 2 yard pass from Watt to Thomas Wyman, and Trine took a 14-7 lead with 6:09 remaining in the first quarter.
The advantage swelled to 20-7 with 3:38 to go in the first when Louis Danesi forced Engle to fumble and Christian Verley scooped up the loose ball and rambled 38 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good.
The next drive saw Engle intercepted and, on the following play, Watt and Ja Vontea Hence hooked up on a 60 yard touchdown pass. With 2:03 left in the first quarter, Trine had a 27-7 lead.
The clock showed 8:34 until halftime when Engle threw a 3 yard scoring pass to Taylor Wagner. Eric Malm's extra point brought the Tigers within thirteen points, 27-14. That's the way the first half ended.
After the break, the Tigers climbed to within 6 on a drive that ended with a big third-and-goal play from the 16 yard line. Engle hit Brayden Dahlstrom with a TD pass, narrowing the Trine advantage to 27-21.
The Thunder fumbled the kickoff that followed and the Tigers kept their momentum going, with Engle scoring on a 1 yard scramble. With 21 straight points, DePauw claimed a 28-27 lead.
With 43 seconds remaining in the third, Watt hit Hence with a pass and the receiver rumbled in on a 59 yard score. The Thunder got the two point conversion and reclaimed the lead, 35-28.
The scoreboard showed 13:31 left in the contest when DePauw answered with a 38 yard toss from Engle to All-American Alex Koors, who made a diving catch in the end zone. Malm's extra point knotted things up at 35.
But 118 seconds later, it was Trine's turn. A drive highlighted by a 34 yard pass from Watt to Cody Nash-Kniffen set up a score that put the Thunder back on top, 42-35.
A 24 yard field goal by Trine's Jeremy Howard increased the visitors' lead to ten with 3:41 remaining in the game.
The Tigers were driving late when Engle was intercepted for a third time. The senior quarterback completed 29-of-49 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Senior All-American wide receiver Alex Koors had 10 receptions for 175 yards. He finishes his career with a
school and conference record 255 catches. His touchdown grab -- the 42nd over his career -- set a new school and SCAC record for TD receptions today, breaking the mark held by 2003 DePauw graduate Dan Ryan.
For more comprehensive coverage of today's game, which drew an announced crowd of 2400, visit the official online home of the Tiger football program. A Fort Wayne Journal Gazette summary is also available.
Orders are now being accepted for the 2010 Monon Bell DVD, which will be professionally replicated and made available in limited quantities. Learn more here. An online order form can be accessed by clicking here.
Back