Gators Look For First Win in 2005

Oct 20, 2005

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MEADVILLE, Pa. -- The mighty Allegheny Gators have fallen on hard times, dropping their first six games of the 2005 season, five of which have came in the final play of regulation, and three times being stopped inside of the opponents’ five yard line as the game ended. The other two close losses came via field goals, one in overtime and one with two seconds remaining in the game. Last week, on second and goal from the four yard line, quarterback Jimmy Savage found Logan Kaleta, but was held two yards short of the potential tying touchdown as time expired, giving Kenyon the 34-27 victory.

Despite sputtering at the goal line on the final possession, Allegheny racked up 488 yards of total offense, 231 through the air and 257 on the ground. Junior running back Mario Tarquinio grounded out 165 yards and three touchdowns, wide receiver Kyle Geiser had 13 catches, one away from tying the school record, Savage’s 29 completions were three away from the school mark. Geiser also took the second half kickoff for a touchdown in the game. Amongst all of the highlights of the game, Jason Black, currently the 10th best punter in Division III, did not attempt a punt in the contest, as on every drive the Gators either scored, fumbled or had the half end their attempt. In all, the Gators have went 13 drives, dating back to the Ohio Wesleyan game, without a punt.

“We have been alternating between offense one week and defense the next,” said head coach Mark Matlak. “We just haven’t been able to put a whole game together, and that shows in our 0-6 record.”

Week seven takes the Gators to Hiram, Ohio to face off against the Terriers of Hiram College. Hiram brings a 1-5 record into the game on Saturday with its only win coming via a 7-2 defensive struggle with Earlham College earlier in the season. A week ago, the Terriers were held to (-1) total yards of offense against Wittenberg, while a week previous they threw eight interceptions in a loss to Denison. In all, Hiram has scored just 26 points in six games, an average of 4.3 per game, sixth worst this season in Division III while scoring all of their points in the first half.

Matlak knows that all of Hiram’s struggles are of no consequence to the Gators, who can’t afford to look past anyone, including a team they hold a 25-11-2 advantage of in the all-time series. “We’re trying to take care of our own business,” said the fourth year head coach. “Anytime you are in the throes that we are in, you are just trying to do the things you need to do to improve. I don’t think that our guys can afford to look past Hiram, we have to give our best effort and really get after it.”

Hiram comes into the game looking to break out of its offensive woes, as the team has rushed for just 86 yards in six games, an average of 14.3 per game, while passing for just 140.7 yards per game, throwing 15 interceptions against just three touchdowns. Jim Shamshak leads the way for the Terriers with 62.7 all purpose yards per game, rushing for 55 yards, catching 55 yards worth of passes, returning punts for 45 yards and kickoffs for a total of 221 yards this season. Quarterback Travis Henderson has completed 65-of-145 passes this year for 695 yards, three scores and six inteceptions while backup Nic Borling is 15-of-47 through the air for 147 yards and eight interceptions.

“Hiram has made a lot of improvements on the defensive side from a year ago,” noted Matlak. “They are playing tough, hard-nosed defense. They have given up some points to some very strong opponents, but I still think they are improved in that area. They are also throwing the ball better. Right now we are struggling too, so it might be a tussle.”

This year for the Gators it has been the Mario Tarquinio show, as the junior has rushed for six touchdowns in just under three and a half games worth of action. He has totaled 456 yards on 101 carries, while Savage has rushed 67 times for 215 yards and a trio of scores. Savage has also passed for 836 yards on 96-of-151 passing and a touchdown. Geiser has been the primary target for the passing attack, hauling in 38 tosses for 310 yards on the season.

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