ALBION, Mich. – Markell McCoy rushed for 154 yards and a touchdown and the defense allowed just 153 total yards as Albion College opened the football season with a 56-6 victory over Defiance College.

Kyle Thomas threw a pair of touchdown passes – 7 yards to Kolby Canfield and 11 yards to Isaiah Gibson – and the Britons recovered a blocked punt in the end zone as Albion opened up a 21-0 first half lead.

Thomas threw his third touchdown pass of the night in the third quarter – a 26-yard connection with his brother, Justin – and Donovan Slates later returned an interception 50 yards for a score.

McCoy, Ryan Roberts and Phillip Jones-Price scored rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Slates led the defense with 10 tackles, while Mitchell Arendsen was credited with 3 ½ tackles for loss.

Albion will hit the road next weekend, visiting Franklin College for a 6 p.m. game.

Follow the Albion football team on Twitter (@AlbionFootball) and Instagram (@albionfootball_). General athletics news can be found @GoBrits on Twitter, AlbionAthletics on Instagram and at facebook.com/albionathletics.

Joe and Julie Serra have given a $5 million leadership gift to launch a fundraising initiative to make two dreams a reality at Albion College. The first is a newly expanded fitness and student activity facility at the site of the current Dow Recreation and Wellness Center. The second is a new or renovated competition facility for the volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams that currently call Kresge Gymnasium home.

The College is continuing to raise funds in support of both projects. To learn more, call 517/629-0446 or email advancement@albion.edu