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Trine University Football
Trine football players will showcase their talents off the field Thursday night April 30 at 8 p.m. in Fabiani Theatre. The event, titled Thunder Football Variety Show 2009 will benefit efforts in the battle against Rett Syndrome.
There are hundreds of thousands of girls battling Rett Syndrome, the
most severe form of autism, and we want to help! New research proves
Rett Syndrome is reversible and is poised to be the first curable
neurological disorder! Donations will be accepted at the door.
MINNEAPOLIS - One day after the American Football Coaches Association honored Matt Land as the North Region Coach of the Year, d3football.com has honored Land with a similar award. Courtney Pearson was also named a first team all-region defensive player.
The website cited Trine’s undefeated regular season and the dramatic transformation in Land’s three years. Before Land, the Thunder went 2-28 in three years of NCAA Division III football.
Land is also the head coach of the Fort Wayne Freedom of the Continental Indoor Football League.
Courtney Pearson, a 6-foot-0, 255 pound, senior linebacker, from South Side High School in Fort Wayne was tabbed as a first-team all North region linebacker. Pearson recorded 90 total tackles in 2008, including 13 tackles for loss, five and one-half sacks, interceptions, two fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles. Pearson also became the all-time tackle leader in Thunder history.
Mount Union running back Nate Kmic was named D3football.com North Region Offensive Player of the Year for the third year in a row and Wheaton (Ill.) cornerback Pete Ittersagen was named D3football.com North Region Defensive Player of the Year.
Matt Land, who led Trine to a 10-0 regular-season record and the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title, was named North Region Coach of the Year.
The teams, selected in balloting by North Region sports information directors and D3football.com staff, were chosen from 176 nominations by Division III member schools. A total of 75 players were chosen. [more]
WACO, TEX. - Another honor is coming to Trine University football. The American Football Coaches Association has honored Head Coach Matt Land as NCAA Division III Co-Region Four Coach of the Year. Land shares the honor with Larry Kehres of perennial power Mount Union College.
Land is also the Head Coach of the Fort Wayne Freedom of the Continental Indoor Football League.
In his third year at the helm of the Thunder program, Land led Trine to a 10-0 regular-season and the university’s first ever NCAA playoff berth. In its first three years of Division III football, the Thunder managed a 2-28 record. In his tenure at Trine, Land is 18-13.
Land was also Summit Athletic Conference Coach of the Year at Fort Wayne South Side High School in the fall of 2005. He was also named United Indoor Football Coach of the Year in the summer of 2005 leading the Fort Wayne Freedom to a 14-2 record regular season record. [more]
Defensive Most Valuable Player
Courtney Pearson, Trine
(senior from Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side HS)
First Team All-MIAA Offense 
QB -Eric Watt, Trine* (sophomore from Kentland, Ind./South Newton HS)
RB-Mikael Glidden, Trine* (senior from Indianapolis, Ind./Monrovia HS)
WR - Lemar Qualls, Trine* (freshman from Indianapolis, Ind./Arlington HS)
OL-James Greenlee, Trine* (junior from Columbus, Ind./North HS)
TE-Troy Hirschy, Trine* (senior from Monroe, Ind./Adams Central HS)
First Team All-MIAA Defense
DL-Erik Walker, Trine* (junior from Grand Rapids/Ottawa Hills HS)
LB-Courtney Pearson, Trine** (senior from Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side HS)
LB-Joe Curtis, Trine* (senior from Walkerton, Ind./John Glenn HS)
DB-Corrie Latta, Trine** (senior from Battle Creek/Delton-Kellogg HS)
First Team All-MIAA Specialists
K-Jeremy Howard, Trine* (sophomore from Elkhart, Ind./Concord HS)
* - Number of years All-MIAA First Team
Second Team All-MIAA Offense
WR-Sam Hartman, Trine (senior from Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Dwenger HS)
OL-Bryce Sims, Trine (sophomore from Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City HS)
OL-Mike Fowler, Trine (senior from Saint Johns, Ind./Lake Central HS)
Second Team All-MIAA Defense
DB-Ryan Rickaby, Trine (freshman from Adrian/Adrian HS)
DB-Aaron Selking, Trine (sophomore from Decatur, Ind./Adams Central HS)
DL-Chris Eichman, Trine (sophomore from Yoder, Ind./Carroll HS)
Second Team All-MIAA Specialists
P-Nathan Fitzsimmons, Trine (senior from Warsaw, Ind./Warsaw HS)
Wheaton was effective on the ground and through the air in a 14-0 win over Trine Saturday in the First Round of the NCAA Division III playoffs at Shive Field.
Wheaton (9-2) compiled 404 yards of total offense, including 315 yards passing by Sean Norris and 111 rushing yards by Rocky Gingg.
The visiting Thunder scored their first touchdown at the 3:49 mark of the second quarter on a 2-yard run by Norris to make it 7-0. A 6 yard touchdown pass form Norris to Alex Pokorny built the lead to 14-0 at 8:08 to play in the third quarter.
Eric Watt (Kentland/South Newton)completed 20-of-48 passes with one interception for 278 yards. He also ran 15 times for 42 yards. Lemar Qualls (Indianapolis/Arlington) led all Trine (10-1) receivers with 110 yards receiving, Mario Brown (Battle Creek/Central) had 6 grabs for 101 yards.
Wheaton will now face Wabash in the second round of the Division III playoffs.
[AFCA] [D3football.com]
MOREHEAD, Ky - No. 20/21(AFCA/D3football.com)Trine grabbed a 34-12 win over Kentucky Christian University and a place in school history. The 10-0 record caps the first undefeated regular for Thunder football.
Eric Watt (Kentland/South Newton) threw 7-of-15 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. He also ran for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Kent Biller (Nappanee/Northwood) rushed for 87 yards on 13 carries, including a touchdown. Jeff Langley (Indian River/Inland Lakes) rushed 14 times for 68 yards.
In the win, the Thunder tallied 354 yards of total offense (243 rushing), while KYU tallied 261 yards - just 69 yards passing.
Trine took control early with an 3-yard scamper by Watt to build a 7-0 lead. Just as soon as Kentucky Christian made it, 7-6, Paul Curtis (Cassopolis, Mich./Ross Beatty) returned the ensuing kickoff for an 83-yard touchdown return building the lead to 14-6. With 8:48 to play in the second quarter, Biller scored on a five-yard run to give Trine the lead for good at 20-6. Trine's lead grew to 27-6 late with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter. Watt connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Lemar Qualls (Indianapolis/Arlington). Watt finished the scoring with a 12-yard run at 12:35 in the fourth quarter to make it 34-12.
The win extends the Thunder’s win streak to 12, dating back to November 3, 2007, the second longest active winning-streak in NCAA Division III football. Monmouth (Ill.) possesses the longest streak at 13 games. The Scots were idle Saturday.
The Thunder will learn their next opponent in the NCAA Division III playoffs Sunday afternoon. Pairngs will be announced on ESPNews at approximately 3 p.m. Fans are invited to attend Trine's Selection Show Party and Rally Sunday at 2 p.m. at Fabiani Theater in University Center, located at 720 Park Avenue - directly across from Shive Field. [box score]
Join Aaron Coyle for the play-by-play action of Trine football this Saturday on WEAX 88.3FM or online. Pre-game begins at 11:30a.m.[view]
Sunday, November 16 from 2pm to 4pm at Fabiani Theater in the University Center, the Thunder football team will be honored and NCAA Division III football pairings will be announced. [more] [Download NCAA DIII playoff bracket]
Trine inches higher in the latest AFCA poll. [view]
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Albion College wide receiver Aaron Baker, Trine University outside linebacker Joe Curtis and Albion College punter/placekicker Mychal Galla its Players of the Week in football.
Defensive Player of the Week
Curtis, a senior from Walkerton (John Glenn HS), led the Trine defense in its title showdown with Adrian as the Thunder clinched their first MIAA football championship with a 9-0 victory. Curtis made seven tackles, including three for losses totaling 15 yards, forced two fumbles, recovered a fumble and had one quarterback sack. It’s the first Player of the Week honor of Curtis’ career.
ADRIAN, Mich. - Defense, they say, wins championships. Trine’s defense dealt Adrian its first shutout in 26 games and limited the potent Bulldogs to just 122 yards of total offense en route to a 9-0 win Saturday at Performance Stadium.
The win gives Trine its first ever Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football title and its first ever NCAA Division III playoff berth. Playoff pairings will be announced Sunday, November 16. [more]
Trine kicker lastest player to be honored.Jeremy Howard
perfect against Albion [view]
Thunder remain No. 5 [view]
Fans attending Saturday's game with Adrian are encouraged to wear white to suppport the team. Athletics has white sweatshirts available for purchase. Call the Athletics office at 260-665-4141 for more information. Friday has also been declared White Friday. All campus personnel have been asked by Coach Matt Land to don white colors.
Thunder ranked No. 24 by AFCA. [view]
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Hope College tailback Josh Echtinaw, Trine University wide receiver Paul Curtis, Adrian College defensive lineman Justin Judd and Trine University kicker Jeremy Howard its Players of the Week in football. [view]
Trine moves up to No. 23 in the weekly D3football.com poll. [view]
Trine pounded out 417 yards of total offense, including 235 yards passing in a 30-7 rout of Albion in Michigan Intercollegiate Association play Saturday at Shive Field. The win sets up a MIAA clash with Adrian (7-1, 4-0) next Saturday, with the winner taking a big step toward claiming the MIAA crown and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.[view]
Thunder are ranked No. 5 in Midwest rankings. [view]
Kalamazoo, Mich. - It’s definitely not the conservative choice - Trine Head Coach Matt Land’s choice of going for a game-winning two-point conversion is anything but conventional, but it meant a 36-35 Trine victory over Kalamazoo Saturday in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association football.
The Thunder had just tied the game 35-35, but Kalamazoo got flagged for roughing the kicker on the successful extra-point kick. With another opportunity, a closer look at the end zone and momentum on his side, Land liked his chances and took the extra-point off the scoreboard. The stakes were high - “ no tie - either a win or a loss.
On the next play, Eric Watt (Kentland/South Newton) found Thomas Wyman (Lake, Mich./Chippewa Hills) for the score. The Thunder and Land won, 36-35, to improve to 7-0 and remain unbeaten at 4-0 in the MIAA. [view]
Monday's junior varsity game at Shive Field versus Defiance has been canceled.
LB Courtney Pearson (Fort Wayne/South Side) had two and half sacks and four and a half tackles for loss among his 21 tackles (six solo) as Trine defeated Olivet 21-10. Click here for.[D3football Team of Week]
ROYAL OAK, Mich.- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Alma College quarterback Mackenzie McGrady, Adrian quarterback/running back Troy Niblock, Trine University linebacker Courtney Pearson and Alma College return specialist Corey Wangler its Players of the Week in football. Pearson, a senior (Fort Wayne/South Side) made an MIAA season high 21 tackles, six of them solos, in leading the Trine defense in its 21-10 victory over Olivet. Last year’s MIAA defensive co-most valuable player had 4.5 tackles for loss, was credited with 2.5 of the Thunder’s seven sacks and forced a fumble. [click here for MIAA football]
TV Highlights versus Olivet
WACO, TEXAS - On Saturday, October 25, 2008, college football coaches across
the country - including Matt Land and the Thunder coaching staff will band together to
fight one opponent - Duchenne muscular dystrophy. By wearing an arm band
with
theCoach to Cure MD insignia, coaches will show their support for Coach to Cure MD,
the American Football Coaches Association's (AFCA) newest charitable project.
[view more and to donate]
Trine University linebacker Joe Curtis (Walkerton, Ind./John Glenn) has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Draddy Trophy presented by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.
Thunder head football coach Matt Land said Curtis is an outstanding candidate. “Joe stands as an example of the best and brightest of Trine University. His leadership, work-ethic and personal-accountability should be used as an example for all student-athletes in Indiana and the nation. I cannot think of another person who deserves this honor more.” [view more]
DB Ryan Rickaby, Fr., Trine.
Rockaby picked off the Alma quarterback twice, once setting up the Thunder offense for a score as Trine beat Alma 45-20. He had four tackles, three solo.
Click here for [D3football Team of Week]
Click here for [D3football Poll][Coaches Poll]
ROYAL OAK, Mich.- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine University wide receiver Mario Brown, Albion College outside linebacker Derek Jackson, and Albion College defensive back Jacob Lee, its Players of the Week in football.
Offensive Player of the Week
Brown, a freshman from Battle Creek (Central HS), rushed for 121 yards on just six carries, including a 60-yard run, and also threw a touchdown pass in the Thunder’s 45-20 victory over Alma. [Click here for MIAA football]
The goal was simple for the Thunder: control the football and the clock.
Mission accomplished.
Trine held the football for nearly 35 minutes and rushed for more than 320 yards en route to a 45-20 win over MIAA rival Alma Saturday. Freshman Mario Brown (Battle Creek, Mich./Central) led the Thunder rushing for 121 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Brown also fired a 5 yard pass to Lemar Qualls. Sophomore Eric Watt (Kentland/South Newton) and Jeff Langley (Indian River, Mich./Inland Lakes) ran for a pair of touchdowns. Watt also connected on 9-of-21 passes for 110 yards.
Trine hosts Olivet Saturday at Shive Field in a 1pm kickoff.
Trine defensive tackle Christian Verley, a sophomore from Grand Rapids (Ottawa Hills HS), was honored by both D3football.com and the MIAA for blocked two extra-point kicks, including one with 35 seconds remaining that would have tied the game, to preserve the Thunder’s 31-30 win over Hope. Verley also had one tackle for loss in the contest. [click here for MIAA football] [click here for D3football]
Trine continues to receive attention in the D3football.com and AFCA weekly polls.
HOLLAND, Mich. - Trine continues to win, and win impressively. Saturday, the Thunder outlasted perennial Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association power Hope 31-30.
While the Thunder and Flying Dutchmen combined for more than 900 yards of total office, it came down to little things for the Thunder (4-0, 1-0 MIAA). Little things like special teams play. The Thunder blocked a pair of extra point kicks, that were monumental in grabbing the victory.
With :35 seconds to play, Sophomore Christian Verley blocked a Steve Hazekamp kick. The kick - if successful, - would have tied the game and most likely forced overtime. Verle had blocked another extra point kick in the second quarter, and told the coaching staff he thought he could exploit the weakness again. Thunder Head Coach Matt Land and his coaches listened.
“We went with an alternate blocking scheme because he thought he could get through,” Land said. “Sometimes you have to listen to your kids, they are the ones playing. He made a big play at big time.
The Thunder were led by Jeff Langley who rushed for 55 yards on 16 yards. Eric Watt connected on 19-of -34 passes for 321 yards and one touchdown pass. He also had 11 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Mikael Glidden and Lucas Rosengarten also had touchdown rushes. Lamar Qualls had five passes for 158 yards and a score. The Thunder are home Saturday hosting Alma (2-2). The Scots are coming off a bye week
The foundation for Trine's attention-grabbing upset of then-No. 14 Franklin
had been laid long before Saturday's kickoff. D3football.com [view more]
MINNEAPOLIS - Thunder punter Nate Fitzsimmons has been named D3football.com's special teams player of the week. [view more]
WACO, Texas - Trine football continues to gain national attention, following their 30-27 win over Franklin Saturday. The latest comes from the American Football Coaches Association Division III Top 25 Poll. Trine (3-0) grabbed three votes to crack the top 25 for the first time as an NCAA program. [view more]
ROYAL OAK, Mich. – For the second week in a row, Trine quarterback Eric Watt (Kentland/South Newton) has been named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s offensive player of the week. Thunder punter Nate Fitzsimmons has also been honored by the MIAA. [view more]
If anything, Trine is opportunistic. Thunder converted on four of five turnovers to defeat nationally ranked Franklin College 30-27 Saturday at Shive Field. [view more]
MINNEAPOLIS - Trine football has garnered another honor following their win over 42-14 win over Defiance Saturday. The entire offensive line has been recognized on the website’s Week 3 “Team of the Week” section for their stellar play by
D3football.com.[view more]
Trine University and it's football team found itself in the national spotlight on Thursday morning, after being selected as the unknown game of the week by ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike in the Morning”.
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