Football Set to Defend MIAA Championship in 2023

ALMA, MI – Alma College Football is set to defend its 2022 MIAA Championship in 2023. Alma was picked to repeat as champion in the MIAA Coaches Preseason Poll. The Scots received 5 of the 7 available first place votes. This comes on the heels of a 2022 campaign, that saw Alma shatter numerous records, post the first 10-0 season in program history, win the first playoff game in program history, and complete a 6-0 conference slate to win their first MIAA crown in 18 years.

The Scots will see some stiff competition in their non-conference schedule, hosting Ohio Northern and Anderson (IN), while traveling to Manchester (IN) and Wittenberg. This comes in addition to the MIAA slate of 6 games. The new Wittenberg contest replaces Martin Luther College (MN) in week 4.

Alma returns the rising sophomore duo of and , the latter of whom rushed for a Scots record 1,184 yards last season. Fellow First Team All-MIAA selections, fifth-year senior wide receiver , and fifth-year senior linebacker also return to the Scots roster.  Soffredine, a three-time All-MIAA honoree, recently earned Preseason All-American honors from D3football.com. St. John, Williams, and Soffredine were all named All-Region by D3football.com last season.  Alma also returns six 2022 Second Team All-MIAA honorees, including , , , , , and Hernandez.

Offensively, Alma returns leading rusher , while losing Ja'martae Hogan to the defensive side of the football. Through the air, Alma brings back , and returns leading  receivers and , along with , who heated up late in the season.

Defensively, Alma brings back a majority of the defense that was the team's bread and butter over 2021 and 2022. The Scots bring back , who recorded 114 tackles to lead the team last season. Also returning is , who led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss in 2022. Another big return is , who was the team's sack leader with 5.0 last season. Alma led Division III in total turnovers forced for the second straight regular season in 2022, and a big part of that was interceptions. Alma saw a team high 7 interceptions depart in , but returns 8 others who recorded an interception last season. Alma also got forced fumbles from 11 different players.

On special teams, the Scots return Josh Hernandez, who went 7-13 on field goals last season, with a long of 56, breaking an MIAA record for longest field goal in a game between two MIAA teams. Alma did lose punter , who averaged around 36 yards per boot, and handled kickoff duties.

Head Coach Jason Couch sizes up this group to be one with loads of potential. "I'm looking forward to watching this team grow. I think if we meet our potential it could be something special."
Alma hosted NAIA opponent Madonna University in a scrimmage on Saturday. After 7 on 7 work, and some red zone drills, the teams took part in a 4 quarter modified scrimmage. Every Scot saw the field, as Alma won the scrimmage by a final of 28-23.

The Scots will open their 2023 season against Ohio Northern at home on Saturday, September 2.