YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – Mired in a month-long four-game slump, Nile C. Kinnick could not have picked a better time to come alive.

Before more than 20 alumni dating back to the Class of 1985, Dustin Kimbrell rushed 18 times for 177 yards, including touchdowns of 15, 33 and 17 yards, as the Red Devils ended the losing streak by blanking Robert D. Edgren, 43-0, Friday at Berkey Field.

“It feels great, a great day for football,” coach Dan Joley said of his Red Devils (3-5).

The presence of the alums – along with popular former principal Bruce Derr, a surprise visitor to the gathering – helped inspire Kinnick, Joley said.

The Red Devils had been outscored 172-32 in its previous four games, and was still reeling from the death of the father of one of its players, Charlie Cruz, the first weekend of October.

“It was nice of the kids to have some success after the last few weeks they’d been through,” Joley said. “It was nice to see them smile a little.”

Quinton Holden ran eight times for 43 yards and a touchdown and Aaron Stravers and Dustin Wilson each added a touchdown run. Isaiah Long, promoted this week from the junior varsity, had eight tackles. And Marcus Boehler booted Kinnick’s first field goal in 18 seasons.

“We just took a beating,” said coach Michael Gros of the Eagles, who finished 0-7.

Migrated