Gators pick up first win in home opener with 55-21 win over Denison

Box Score

Meadville, Pa. - September 22, 2001 - The Allegheny College football team picked up its first win of the season in the home opener at Robertson Field with a 55-21 victory over visiting Denison University today in front of 1,741. The Gators scored 28 points in the opening quarter, followed by 14 points in the second and 13 in the third, posting the opening 55 points of the game.

On the game's second play from scrimmage, senior Shane Ream scampered 67 yards on a toss sweep to give the Gators a 7-0 and they didn't look back. Allegheny recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Denison 22-yard line, and three plays later the Gators were in the end zone again as sophomore Bubba Smith connected with classmate Brian Woods from 16 yards out, the start of a career game for Woods.

Starting in his first career game, Woods racked up 191 yards of all-purpose yardage, including 106 receiving yards, and added three touchdowns. Woods' three catches each resulted in touchdowns from 58 yards out and 32 yards.

Ream led the Gators in rushing with 151 yards on 13 carries, finding the end zone three times on the afternoon. He now has 50 career rushing TDs, four behind Stanley Drayton's career record and Ream has 324 career points, eight behind Drayton's record. Sophomore Jamie Sye had 67 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries, while senior Wyatt Jones added 43 yards on 13 attempts.

Smith finished the game 9-of-15 passing for a career-high 196 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Marty Spieler was 3-of-8 for 58 yards. Denison quarterback Greg Neuendorf was 18-of-41 for 296 yards and two TDs.

The Gators piled up 534 yards of total offense, compared to Denison's 332. The Allegheny defense held Denison to -50 yards rushing, tying a school record with 9.0 quarterback sacks. Sophomore David Pisanick led the Gators with 3.0 sacks, while Tim Creahan had 1.5 sacks. Junior J.P. McFeeley had 5.0 tackles, including three for a loss, and junior Brandon Behrens made his first interception of the season.

The win improved Allegheny to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the North Coast Athletic Conference, while Denison fell to 0-3 (0-1 NCAC). The Gators are next in action on Saturday, September 29, 2001, when they travel to Wittenberg University.