ALBION, Mich. – Brady Frasier and Tyrone Collins combined for the biggest play of their young collegiate football careers, and it lifted Albion College to a 24-14 victory over Trine University in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football action at Sprankle-Sprandel Stadium.
Frasier came off the left edge to block Trine's 33-yard field goal attempt and Collins scooped up the loose ball and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown that put Albion in front, 17-14, with 2 ½ minutes left in the third quarter.
The Albion defense rose up from there, allowing Trine just two first downs the rest of the way. Defensive end Mitch Arendsen wrapped up a pair of tackles for loss in the fourth quarter and Collins put the exclamation point on the victory with an interception to end Trine's final possession of the game.
The Albion offense put together a scoring drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter. The Britons converted on third-and-10 when Kyle Thomas, playing at quarterback in relief of Jack Bush, hooked up with his brother, Justin Thomas, for an 18-yard gain. The Britons picked up another third down when Markell McCoy picked up eight yard to move the ball to the red zone. The Britons faced fourth-and-5 when Justin Thomas ran a corner route and snagged a pass that looked like it was thrown behind him for the 14-yard score that put the Britons up 24-14 with 1:36 left in regulation.
Justin Thomas hauled in two touchdown receptions on the day, extending his Albion single-season school record to 14. He capped Albion's first possession of the game with a 13-yard scoring catch. Thomas was Albion's leading receiver with five receptions for 90 yards.
Josh Castillo also figured in the scoring for Albion when he kicked a 31-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.
Albion finished the day with 310 total yards. McCoy led Albion on the ground with 94 yards on 24 carries. Bush finished with 113 passing yards.
The Briton defense limited Trine to 284 yards. Collins led the unit with six solo and two assisted tackles, a forced fumble and his two interceptions. Donovan Slates racked up four solo and five assisted tackles, including a pair of sacks.
Albion, winners of three in a row to improve to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in MIAA play, will hit the road for its final two games. The Britons have a Nov. 9 date at Finlandia University and a Nov. 16 trip to Olivet College.
Follow the Albion football team on Twitter (@AlbionFootball) and Instagram (@albionfootball_). General athletics news can be found @GoBrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and at facebook.com/albionathletics.
Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.
The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu