http://www.allegheny.edu
Gators Season Ends In Dramatic Fashion
November 22, 2003
Freshman Vinny Doffont hit a 52-yard field goal with 2:25 left in the fourth quarter to lift Montclair State to a 20-19 win over Allegheny in first round action of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs at Sprague Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The loss ends a remarkable season for the Gators, who were just the second team ever to recover from a 0-3 start to make the NCAA playoffs. They end the season with a 7-4 mark.
Allegheny looked to be in control of this game with a 19-7 lead at the half, but the Red Hawk defense stiffened in the second half while their offense picked up the slack.
Doffont hit a 37-yard field goal early in the third quarter and Eugene Vick rambled 13 yards around the right end early in the fourth quarter to pull Montclair State to within two points, 19-17.
Allegheny turned the ball over on their next two possessions, but the Gator defense continued to hold against Montclair. The Red Hawks took over with 3:13 left in the fourth quarter at their own 19. Quarterback John DiGirolamo completed a 22 yard pasa nd a four-yard pass to move the ball to the Gators 39. After two consecutive incompletions, Doffont lined up for the 52-yard attempt. His kick bounced off the crossbar and over, edging the Red Hawks into the lead. The kick tied the NCAA Championship record and set a MSU school record.
The Gators took over with 2:18 left on the clock and methodically moved the ball to the Montclair 19, where they called a timeout with seven seconds left. Senior kicker Aaron Polack (Medina, Ohio/Medina), who kicked field goals of 37 and 29 yards in the first half, lined up for a 36 yard kick. However, Red Hawks linebacker Jon Lennox leaped over the lineman, timing the snap perfectly, and blocked the attempt.
In the game, senior wideout Jon Turner (Franklin, Pa./Franklin Area) became Allegheny’s season record holder with 62 receptions. In addition, senior defensive tackle David Pisanick (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) had three sacks, becoming the career leader with 30.
Sophomore tailback Kyle Geiser (Orrville, Ohio) hit quarterback Bubba Smith (Doylestown, Ohio/Chippewa) for a two-yard score on a halfback pass. Smith finished the game 25-40 for 205 yards and one interception. Senior wide receiver Brian Woods (Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth) had eight receptions for 84 yards and also had four punt returns for 105 yards.
Vick finished with 200 yards on 21 carries to lead the Red Hawk attack.
Montclair State (9-1) moves on to play Ithaca who defeated Brockport State, 14-9, in other East Region action.