ALBION, Mich. - The Kalamazoo College football team was defeated 44-17 in the MIAA opener at Albion College Saturday afternoon.

Kalamazoo trailed 7-3 midway through the first quarter. Albion led 21-3 midway through the second quarter and 28-6 with 1:47 left in the half before a Hornet touchdown and conversion made it 28-14 at the break. Alternating field goals made it 31-17 with 3:58 left in the third. Albion touchdowns late in the third and fourth quarters led to the 44-17 final.

Ian Burr made three field goals for the Hornets on the afternoon. Josh Nichols connected with Lucas Hanifan on a 9-yard touchdown just before halftime.

Josh Nichols was 23-of-43 passing for 271 yards.

Lucas Hanifan had nine catches for 112 yards. Hunter Kiesling had three for 42 yards. Jonah Spates had three for 38 yards. Andrew Durbin had three for 19 yards. Devin Yankee finished with two catches for 30 yards.

Jon Brunette had four carries for 31 yards, while also catching a pass for 21 yards. Sheldon Riley had four carries for 16 yards.

Raymond Cargill led the Hornet defense with 10 total tackles with a tackle for loss. Tommy Kartes and Jack Miller each had eight tackles. Miller also had an interception.

Kalamazoo returns home to face Olivet on Homecoming next Saturday, Oct. 7, at 2 p.m.