|
Finlandia University Loses First-Ever Football Game
 HANCOCK----It was a milestone day in Hancock on Saturday as the Finlandia University football team played its first-ever game. The Lions lost to Alma College, 43-0, but the more than 1,000 people who attended the first-ever NCAA-III game in the Upper Peninsula had a great time. The following story is courtesy of Finlandia U. Finlandia University NCAA Division III football kicked off for the first time Saturday afternoon with a 43-0 loss to Alma College at McAfee Field. "I am proud of these players, of how hard they competed through the 60-minute game," coach Tim Driscoll said. "The scoreboard doesn't say how hard they played, and the learning experience that it was." The Scots jumped on the Lions right out of the gate with a 22-0 lead 5:38 into the game, including a 70-yard touchdown run by Nick Sullivan on the game's first play from scrimmage. Finlandia gained momentum on its fourth drive as the team earned 59 yards, highlighted by a 16-yard reception for Trevor Burke. Finlandia ultimately stalled on the Alma 12 yard line. "We came back, we moved the football," Driscoll said. "Our offense sparked us." The team had another great offensive opportunity after a Jalyn Wade interception put the team at the Alma 20 yard line with 16 seconds remaining in the first half. Ultimately the Lions failed to score on the opportunity, and went into half down 22-0. Alma picked up the scoring again in the second half with a trio of third-quarter touchdowns, including a 75-yard run by Daniel Hugan. Neither team added points in the fourth quarter. Burke and Jordan LaPlant paced the Lions with four receptions each. Burke netted 35 yards, while LaPlant had 56, including a long of 25 yards. Ronald Brown was 10-for-21 while accumulating 127 yards. The Lions run game was led by Jaavaid Love who gained 31 yards on 18 carries. Matt Schultz added 28 on 11 carries. Defensively, Jordan Windahl paced the team with 9 tackles, including two solo. Mitch Messing also had 9 and Josh Lee 7. Wade had the team's only sack, taking down Scots quarterback Dylan Zaborowski behind the line of scrimmage late in the first quarter. "I wish the result was a little bit different, but we're going to get there and we're going to have a good football team here at Finlandia," Driscoll said. "We competed, we continued to compete, and that's all we can ask of our team." The Lions will travel to Oshkosh, Wis. next week to play the No. 18-ranked Titans. |
