ALEXANDRIA — After back-to-back shutout losses and more than 11 quarters without a touchdown, Alexandria finally broke the plane of the end zone in the final minute against Blackford on Friday night.

The Tigers were defeated by the Bruins 28-10, but the first touchdown of the 2008 season was an impressive one by any standards. Alexandria drove 70 yards in 18 plays and ate up more than 10 minutes of the fourth-quarter clock. Landon Glass finally plunged into the end zone from the 2-yard line on third down and goal.

“The monkey is off our back,” said interim coach Greg Kyle. “We kept (the ball) on the ground, and that was huge. That drive was big for our program. This is a work in progress, and we took a big step tonight. We played better, and we keep getting better slowly but surely.”

The Tigers also kicked their first field goal since the Carter administration, according to Athletic Director Doug Bellar. No one could quite pin down the last field goal, but everyone agreed that it had been since the 1970s.

That streak was snapped on the second Alexandria drive of the night. The Tigers took over on a fumble at the Blackford 43-yard line. They drove 32 yards in nine plays, setting up Michael McFerran’s 19-yard field goal.

“It’s been too long so we will keep it at that,” Kyle said. “(Michael) gets after it, and it’s starting to show. I was proud of him. It’s been a while (since the last field goal).”

Blackford answered Alexandria’s field goal with two second-quarter touchdowns and added another in the third quarter. Despite only running five plays in the fourth quarter, including two kneeldowns, Blackford added a fourth touchdown.

The Bruins dominated the game statistically, finishing with 341 yards, including 200 on the ground. The Tigers finished with 135 yards, including 70 on the final drive of the game. However, Alexandria did force three first-half turnovers, including an interception by Black Abshire.

“That tells us we are continuing to be aggressive,” said Kyle of the forced turnovers. “The defense continues to be our strength.”

Individually, Chance Morphew finished 5-of-9 for 78 yards. Glass was the leading rusher with 27 yards on 14 carries, and Steven Backous added 24 yards on six rushes. Bobby Yeagy led the receiving corps with two catches for 56 yards.

Alexandria (0-3, 0-1) travels to Central Indiana Conference foe Elwood at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.