ANGOLA, Ind. -- A pair of 100-plus yard receivers and a stellar second half defense helped the Albion College football team to a 27-16 win over Trine University. The Britons -- favored in the MIAA Preseason Poll -- hit the field for the first time in 490 days.

Junior quarterback Jack Bush was 26 of 37 for 327 yards and three touchdowns. He also added one touchdown with his legs. The 327 passing yards marks a new career-high for Bush.

Justin Thomas hauled in six catches for 143 yards and a pair of TDs. Senior Kolby Canfield recorded a career-high with nine receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.

It took until Albion's third possession to get on the board first. With great field position to start the drive, Bush eventually connected with Canfield for a 16-yard pass, putting the Brits at the Trine 25. After a 2-yard rush by Ian Goins, Bush found Canfield, who made a move and raced past the Trine defense for a 23-yard score. The Britons held a 6-0 lead following a missed PAT with 4:48 to play in the first quarter.

Albion used an 8-play, 70 yard drive to extend their lead to 13-0. Facing a 4th-and-8 at the Thunder 33, Albion elected to go for it. The move proved wise as Bush found Canfield for a 14-yard pickup to keep the drive alive. Three snaps later, Bush found Thomas in the back of the end zone just 74 seconds into the second quarter. Jackson Conney's PAT sailed through the uprights to give the visitors a two-score lead.

The Thunder got on the board midway through the second, courtesy of a 12-yard TD pass.

An Albion turnover was capitalized on by the Thunder. Trine secured the ball at the Albion 28, and later scored on a 47-yard field goal. The Britons were clinging to a 13-10 lead heading into halftime.

On their first possession of the second half, Albion added seven points to the board. Using a 10-play, 84 yard drive, the drive was capped when Bush dove into the end zone off a 10-yard rush.

Following a Trine three-and-out, Albion needed just one play to increase their lead to 27-16. Bush found Thomas, who broke free from all defenders, for an easy 60-yard touchdown.

Trine's final score came as time expired.

Defensively, senior Donovan Slates led the Britons with 10 total tackles. Slates added 2.5 TFL for eight yards, including one sack. In the secondary, Rick Pearson recorded three tackles, two pass breakups and an interception return of 36 yards.

Albion racked up 440 yards of total offense, compared to Trine's 325. The visitors were also 7 of 16 on third down conversions.

Head coach Dustin Buerer on the ability to finally compete: "I'm very proud of our guys for making it 490 days until they had the opportunity to compete. Nothing has been normal for these young men and I can not understate how hard they have worked and stayed focused through these uncertain times. Our team approached the game with maturity and excitement."

Beurer on the defense: "Our defense played lights out for most of the contest. Coach Sheridan and the defensive staff had a great game plan and the D boys went out and executed at a high level. They kept our lead as the offense sputtered for a bit in the second quarter."

Beurer on the outcome: "I can't overstate how proud I was of our guys for having the opportunity to play and then going down and winning at Trine for the first time in a while. We will enjoy it tonight, fix the mistakes tomorrow and then it's on to the next one."

That 'next one' will be on Mar. 27 at Olivet College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.