DePauw Football Drops NCAA First Round Matchup

ALMA, MI - No. 21-ranked DePauw (10-1) fell to No. 11-ranked Alma (11-0), 32-17, in the first round of the NCAA Division III football championships on Saturday, Nov. 18, in Alma, Michigan. The Scots will move on to play No. 2-ranked Mount Union (11-0) in the second round of the playoffs. The Purple Raiders defeated Alfred State (6-5) 56-14 in their opening round matchup.
 
Alma capitalized with a quick six and two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead within the first ten seconds of the game after DePauw fumbled the ball following the opening kickoff. After two three-and-outs, DePauw junior quarterback Nathan McCahill (Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral) connected with sophomore Robby Ballentine (Crown Point, IN/Andrean) for a two-yard touchdown, bringing the game within one, 8-7, with 3:12 remaining in the first quarter. The Scots responded with another touchdown to take a 15-7 lead into the second quarter.
 
In the second stanza, the Scots put together an 11-play, 90-yard drive for another score to extend their lead to 22-7 at the 9:49 mark. The Tigers responded with an 11-play, 72-yard drive of their own to cut the deficit to 22-14 with 5:15 left in the first half thanks to a score by senior Gus Baumgartner (Indianapolis, IN/Guerin Catholic). With two seconds remaining in the half, Alma would tack another three points on the board for a 25-14 lead heading into the locker room.
 
The first five minutes of the third quarter would remain scoreless, until DePauw senior Joseph Sullivan (Cincinnati, OH/St. Xavier) was able to put the ball through the uprights to bring the game within eight at 25-17. Alma responded by marching down the field with a five-play, 75-yard drive to take a 32-17 advantage. The Tigers went into the fourth quarter trailing 15 and were unable to make a comeback, dropping the first-round matchup.
 
McCahill finished the game completing 32-of-55 passes for 280 yards and one touchdown pass. Baumgartner was the Tigers leading rusher, compiling 48 yards on 11 attempts, and one touchdown. The DePauw defense held Alma’s offense to a season-low 32 points and were led by senior Tommy Ryan (Elmhurst, IL/IC Catholic Prep), who made 11 tackles (5 solo, 6 asst.).

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