W&J Pulls Away from Gators for 29-7 Victory

Sep 18, 2004

Box Score

Photogallery by Ed Mailliard

MEADVILLE, Pa. - Washington & Jefferson College, ranked 19th in the nation coming into play this afternoon, pulled away in the second half for a 29-7 win over the Allegheny College Gators.

The series between the two is now knotted at 20-20-1 and today’s game marks the largest margin of victory in the series since a 29-0 Gator victory in 1981.

Allegheny’s offense could not muster any type of momentum in the first half and did not capitalize on two W&J turnovers, a fumbled punt by receiver Aaron Krepps and an interception in the end zone to save a touchdown by defensive back Steve Williams (Westover, W.Va/University). Gator sophomore quarterback Jimmy Savage (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) was 5-10 for 38 yards passing and an interception in the first half, while running back Mario Tarquinio (Charleroi, Pa./Charleroi) was limited to 12 yards.

On the other side, a balanced W&J offensive attack was led by Presidents’ junior quarterback Chris Edwards, who was 11-19 passing in the first half and was efficient in leading the offense down the field. Junior running back R.J. Zitzelsberger took over to score twice before the end of the first half to send the Gators into the locker room down 13-0 at halftime.

On the Gators’ first offensive drive of the second half, they drove 56 yards down the field on six plays as Savage ran the ball in from a yard out to cut the Presidents lead to 13-7. The Gators were aided on the drive by a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a 24-yard strike from Savage to junior wide receiver Mike Sober (West Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area) that took the Gators down to the two-yard line to set up Savage’s scoring run.

Any hopes of the Gators getting back in the game were put to rest when W&J scored on their next three possessions to rack up 16 points and make it a 29-7 score, which is the way the game would end. Zitzelsberger, who ran 26 times for 98 yards, was overpowering through the game and eventually wore the Gator defense down, as he capped the scoring with his third TD of the game, a five-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

W&J topped Allegheny in total yards 425-161, averaged 5.6 yards a play and converted 9-16 third downs en route to their victory. President receiver Aaron Krepps had a big day, racking up 107 yards receiving on eight catches with help from quarterback Chris Edwards, who passed for 219 yards on 18-26 passing and an interception.

Savage, who hit on 13-20 passing attempts, finished the game with 99 yards and one interception through the air. Coming into the game, the Gator QB was the team’s leading rusher, but he could not find much daylight against W&J’s defense and ended up with 29 yards on 14 carries. For the game, Tarquinio led Allegheny in rushing with 49 yards and he also grabbed a team-high four passes, equaling 14 yards.

On defense, Gator junior linebacker Elliott George (Bradford, Pa./Bradford Area) and sophomore defensive end Tom Glamuzina (Williamsville, N.Y./St. Joseph’s) led the Allegheny defense in tackles with seven and six-and-a-half respectively, with cornerback Keith Keenan chipping in with six tackles and a pass breakup. Presidents linebackers Andy Shook and Erie native Eric Field harassed Savage and the entire Gator offense all afternoon as they combined for 13 tackles, two of which were for losses.

The Gators, who fall to 1-2, will take a week off before traveling to Wooster on Oct. 2 to open up NCAC conference play against the Fighting Scots.

Printable Version