Ream becomes Allegheny's all-time rushing leader as Gators fall to W&J

Box Score

Meadville, Pa. - September 8, 2001 - Senior tailback Shane Ream became Allegheny's most prolific rusher today, surpassing Stanley Drayton on the school's all-time rushing list as the Gators fell to 0-2 at Washington & Jefferson 28-14. Ream piled up 133 yards on the afternoon to give him 3,327 yards for his career, breaking Drayton's former mark of 3,272 yards.

The first half was a showcase of contrasting styles. The high-powered aerial attack of W&J piled up 187 passing yards and 221 overall, while the Gators racked up 112 rushing yards and 165 overall. The President's shot out to a 21-0 lead, scoring on their first three possessions as Brian Dawson hooked up with Dave Armitage twice and Todd Fry for touchdown passes.

The Gators, who dominated in time of possession today, including a 19:08 to 10:52 advantage in the first half, cut the lead to 21-7 late in the first half. Brian Woods setup the Gator score with an 85-yard kickoff return to the W&J 9-yard line. Three plays later, Ream went in from one yard out for his 47th career rushing TD, seven behind Drayton's school record of 54.

Ream then rushed into Gator football history on the final play of the first half. With 0:28 remaining in the second quarter, Ream rushed up the middle for five yards to become Allegheny's all-time rushing leader, surpassing Drayton. Ream totaled 81 yards in the opening stanza.

After a Kirk Rhoades interception in the third quarter, Allegheny cut the W&J lead to 21-14 with 13:21 remaining in the game. Bubba Smith connected on his first career TD pass as he hit Jon Turner in the left corner of the end zone on a fade pass. The Presidents answered on their very next possession, as Dawson connected with Fry again for a 90-yard catch-and-run on 3rd-and-20 to provide the final margin in the contest.

Smith finished with 130 yards on 17-of-32 passing, while Dawson was 12-for-21 for 310 yards and four TDs. Wyatt Jones carried 12 times for Allegheny, piling up 67 yards. Joey Nichols led W&J with 95 yards on 18 carries. Turner led all receivers with seven grabs for 56 yards, while Fry had four receptions for 174 yards for W&J. J.P. McFeeley led the Gators with four tackles, including three for a loss, while Joe Cowart, Joe Walton and Tim Creahan all recorded sacks.

The Presidents, who improved to 2-0 on the year, outgained Allegheny 397-356, but the Gators held the time of possession advantage 37:04-22:56 and had 26 first downs to W&J's 17. The Gators also had five drives of 10-or-more plays, but only scored on one the drives.

The Gators are next in action on Saturday, September 15, when they travel to Frostburg State for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.