Thunder Football Victorious at Homecoming  

            The Tri-State University football team earned a hard fought homecoming victory over MIAA opponent Wisconsin Lutheran.  The Thunder used a key defensive stop during the fourth quarter to earn their first victory of the season.    

            The Thunder earned their first lead of the game off a nine yard touchdown pass from Brandon Appleton to Zeb Coultas.  Wisconsin Lutheran tied the score before halftime with a 13 yard run by Phil Hahm. 

Tri-State used their opening drive in the third quarter to take a 10-7 lead off a 33 yard field goal by Justin Hoover.  The Warriors retook the lead at 14-10 off of Phil Hahm’s second rushing touchdown of the day.  The Thunder started the fourth quarter at the Warrior 2 yard line and scored the final touchdown of the day two plays into the quarter.  Terrance Summers scored on a two yard rush with 14 minutes left in the game.  Wisconsin Lutheran made a comeback with a 16 play possession in the fourth quarter.  The Thunder defense took control with two sacks in the drive to force the ball possession back to the Thunder with 1:48 remaining in the game. 

Zac Culbert had a great performance for the Thunder with two interceptions for the Thunder.  Jarrod Phillips led the defense with 13.5 tackles and three sacks for 19 yards. 

Summers finished with 147 yards on 30 carries and one touchdown.  Ben Darnell led the receivers with six receptions for 86 yards.  Andrew Beyer had a strong performance in his first game as a starter for the Thunder.  Beyer had 110 passing yards in nine completions.

The Thunder improve to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in MIAA action, while Wisconsin Lutheran falls to 0-4 and 0-1 in conference action.  Tri-State continues with MIAA action next week as they travel to Albion College to take on the Britons. 

            The Tri-State University football team could not overcome a 15 – 0 start against Franklin College.  The Grizzlies took advantage of key Thunder turnovers on the way to a 49 – 35 victory.  Tri-State falls to 0-3 on the season, and Franklin improves to 2-2.

            Franklin scored the first touchdown of the game on their opening drive off a 71 yard rush by Danny Sears.  The Grizzlies started the second quarter with an 18 yard touchdown reception by Brian Nay.  Tri-State responded with a three yard touchdown run by Terrance Summers mid-way through the second quarter.  Franklin closed the first half with a 12 yard touchdown reception by John Cunningham.  

            With the score at 29-7, Tri-State closed with gap with 10 yard touchdown runs by Josh Andrews and Summers.  The Andrews touchdown was set up by an interception by Zac Culbert.  Franklin matched the touchdowns off a 15 yard run by Joliba Brogan and an 8 yard run by Brad Ohanian.  Andrews scored his second touchdown of the day in the third quarter off an 11 yard reception to make the score 42 – 28.  Franklin then drove the ball 46 yards to score their final touchdown of the game.  Brandon Appleton ended the day’s scoring with a 44 yard touchdown reception. 

Summers rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns.  Jim Oliver, Jr. completed 20 passes out of 41 attempts for 292 yards and two touchdowns.  Matt Clayton led the defense with 11 total tackles and Courtney Pearson added 10.  Nick Maksimchuk and Zac Culbert each had an interception. 

            The Thunder opens MIAA action next weekend in their homecoming game against Wisconsin Lutheran.  Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Pointer’s Big Plays Down Thunder Football 

            The Tri-State University football team was downed by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 57-3.  The Pointers used big plays in six of their nine scoring drives.  Stevens Point scored on a 42 yard run, 23 yard pass, 37 yard pass, 60 yard pass, 41 yard interception return, and a 74 yard run. 

            The Thunder scored on a 21 yard field goal by Justin Hoover in the third quarter.  Terrance Summers had 17 rushes for 56 yards.  Jim Oliver, Jr. threw 15-34 for 229 yards.  Brandon Appleton led the receivers with 61 yards.  Jarrod Phillips had eight solo tackles and seven assist tackles.  Greg Moyer and Zac Culbert each had an interception for the Thunder. 

            Tri-State has an off week and return for their home opener on Saturday, September 25^th.  The Thunder will take on Franklin College, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. 

            The Tri-State University football team lost to Washington & Jefferson 31-0.  Washington & Jefferson connected on the second play of the game for a 61 yard touchdown pass from Chris Edwards to Jon Miller.  The Presidents scored once again in the first quarter on a four yard run. 

            Greg Moyer halted a Washington & Jefferson drive in the second quarter with an interception at Tri-State’s 18 yard line.  The Thunder then gave the ball back on a fumble at their own one yard line.  The Presidents made the Thunder pay for their turnover with a one yard rush for a touchdown.  Washington & Jefferson ended their scoring in the half with a 34 yard field goal.

            The Thunder controlled the time of possession in the third quarter (10:20 – 4:40), but was unable to produce a score.  Tri-State’s first possession in the third quarter consisted of 13 plays for 68 yards, but was stopped at the Washington & Jefferson 14 yard line. 

            Washington & Jefferson stopped Tri-State’s scoring drives in the fourth quarter.  The Thunder’s first possession of the fourth was stopped by a President interception at the Washington & Jefferson 11 yard line.  Tri-State regained possession of the ball at their own 42 yard line on a fumble recovered by Zac Culbert.  Tri-State then pushed the ball down the field to the five yard line before Washington & Jefferson intercepted the pass at the end zone.  The Presidents ended their scoring with a nine play possession that went 88 yards down the field and ended with a three yard rushing touchdown. 

            Jim Oliver, Jr., completed 17-of-34 passes for 130 yards. Terrance Summers had 18 rushing attempts and gained 77 yards. Matt Clayton led the defense with 11 tackles.