ANGOLA, IND.-- Trine came up on the short end of an offensive shootout, as the Thunder fell to Concordia (WI), 49-46, in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at Shive Field and Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium.
The two teams combined for 1,256 yards of total offense and 61 first downs. The Thunder set a program record with 648 yards of total offense. Each quarterback put on a show for their respective teams. Taylor Masiewicz (Belmont, Mich./Rockford) set a school-record with 454 yards of total offense for Trine. The junior rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns, and completed 20-of-34 passes for 309 yards. Austin Damaschke completed 41-of-73 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 67 yards and a pair of scores to lead the Falcons. Concordia outscored Trine 21-15 in the fourth quarter. The Thunder fall to 4-2 overall, while the Falcons improve to 4-2.
Gage Corner (Leo, Ind./Leo) caught seven passes for 131 yards for Trine. Corner moved into fifth on Trine's all-time list in receiving yards (1,461) and became the sixth player in program history with 100-career receptions. Anthony Yoder (Goshen, Ind./Concord) notched his second-consecutive 100-yard receiving game, hauling in a team-high nine passes for 123 yards. The duo became the second pair of teammates to have over 100-yards receiving in the same game in school-history.
Garret Wenezelburger caught 14 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Falcon aerial assault. The 6'6 receiver entered the game tied for third in the nation in receiving yards. Derrick Estfan added 109 yards receiving on 13 catches. He scored one touchdown.
The two teams played an even 28-28 first half, with the Thunder pulling ahead 31-28 late in the third quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Joel Lopshire (Angola, Ind./Angola). A key stretch early in the fourth quarter helped Concordia seize control however.
The Falcons responded to the Trine scoring drive with a seven-play, 66-yard drive in just 1:51. Damaschke completed 4-of-5 passes on the drive, and scampered in from 31-yards out to give the Falcons the lead for good at 35-31 with 14:29 to play in the final quarter.
The Thunder went three and out on the ensuing possession. Two plays later, Damaschke hit Dominic Saragaglia for a 36-yard score to give the Falcons a 42-31 lead.
Trine threatened to cut into the lead immediately, driving down to the Falcon 10-yard line in just four plays. The Concordia defense was able to make the big play to get the stop, as Cody Furey came away with a strip-sack, and Austin Kaatz recovered the fumble. Even though the Falcons were unable to capitalize on their possession, the big play kept the Thunder off the scoreboard on what looked to be a scoring drive.
A spectacular, diving catch by Corner on 3rd-and-12 for a 49-yard gain kept Trine in business on their next drive. Frank Vuocolo (Jackson, Mich./Grass Lake) capped the drive with a 13-yard TD run. The two-point rush by Masiewicz was converted to cut the score to 42-39 with 7:06 to play. Vuocolo rushed for 44 yards and two touchdowns on the day, as the Thunder produced 339 yards on the ground.
The Falcons were able to chew up some clock and capitalize on the ensuing drive. An 11-play, 70-yard, 3:52 drive was capped by a two-yard TD pass from Damaschke to Estfan on 4th-and-goal to put Concordia up 49-39 with 3:07 remaining.
The Thunder responded, as Masiewicz scored on a QB sneak to cut the score to 49-46 with 1:34 left. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by Wenzelberger, and the Falcons ran out the clock to keep Trine from earning a second-consecutive fourth-quarter comeback win.
Trine returns to MIAA-play next Saturday, Oct. 25 when they host Albion at 1 p.m. at Shive Field and Fred Zollner Athletic Stadium.