Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
NORTH MANCHESTER, IND. – While pouring over the final statistics to a second successive defeat at the hands of a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opponent Saturday, Sept. 10, Manchester University head coach Nate Jensen was quick to point out positives.
"Defensively, we're still causing turnovers, our offense is continuing to get better and better due to (sophomore quarterback) Tristan (Chester of Charlestown, Ind.) getting more confident in his starting role and a line that is coming together," he noted. "(Senior tight end) Brandon (Webb of Fort Wayne, Ind.) and (senior wide receiver) Matt (Wirick of Granger, Ind.) rebounded from tough first games with good efforts tonight.
We're taking the right steps … it may not be showing on the scoreboard now but it will," he added.
The Spartans, playing in front of another large crowd of Black and Gold backers at Carl W. Burt Memorial Field, had to weather a rough first period in which they accumulated no first downs and saw visiting Alma College go 85 yards in 16 plays for a touchdown. Quarter number two was the exact opposite, much to the loud approval of the home, as MU overtook their guests, posting three touchdowns in route to a 20-17 halftime lead. The three paydirt strikes occurred in all shapes and sizes, as junior running back Hunter Hardee (Fishers, Ind.) romped through a gaping hole for a one-yard scoring scamper; sophomore defensive back Dillon Nelson (Fairland, Ind.) picked off a tipped pass near midfield and weaved his way into the end zone for a 56-yard interception return TD; and Chester and Wirick connected on a 15-yard scoring strike.
Despite the second period momentum, the Black and Gold, dipping to 0-2, were quashed in their scoring attempts in the second half, as the Scots rallied with two touchdowns to claim a 31-20 victory over their former assistant coach. "Hey, this was a well-played and fun game," Alma head coach Greg Pscodna pointed out afterwards. "Manchester is building something here … Nate is going to be one heck of a college coach. We look forward to hopefully extending this series opportunity past next year."
Chester wound up with 182 yards through the air and the one touchdown, hitting Wirick nine times for 103 yards. Hardee carried the ball 20 times for 79 yards. Defensively, more large numbers were recorded by MU. Junior linebacker Jack Kay (Williamsport, Ind.) finished with 19 tackles, and fellow junior linebacker Jordan Kleber (Seymour, Ind.) ended with 10 tackles.
The Spartans move into their bye week next week, starting preparations for the 2016 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule that opens Saturday, Sept. 24, at Mt. St. Joseph University.