MEADVILLE, Pa. - Allegheny College (0-1) fell short in its season-opener with a 13-6 loss to visiting Westminster College (1-0) on Saturday, September 1, at Frank B. Fuhrer Field in Meadville, Pa. http://www.allegheny.edu
Gators Drop Season Opener to Westminster
September 1, 2007
MEADVILLE, Pa. - Allegheny College (0-1) fell short in its season-opener with a 13-6 loss to visiting Westminster College (1-0) on Saturday, September 1, at Frank B. Fuhrer Field in Meadville, Pa.
Westminster wasted no time in getting on the board, taking the game’s opening drive 64 yards on six plays, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brett Myers to Gary Hutsler. An extra point from Fred Romeo gave the Titans a quick 7-0 lead.
The game then hit an offensive stalemate, as both teams went scoreless until late in the second quarter when Romeo connected on a 30 yard field goal to give Westminster a 10-0 lead heading into the half.
Offensively at the break Allegheny managed just 77 yards on 26 plays while the Titans racked up 219 yards on 39 plays, including 189 yards through the air. Westminster also held a nearly 10 minute advantage in time of possession (19:02-to-10:58).
After another quarter of stingy defense from both sides, the Gator offense awoke behind backup quarterback T.J. Salopek (North Huntington, Pa./Norwin) and turned in a six-play, 59-yard drive which ended in Salopek finding receiver James Jones (Ellington, N.Y./Falconer Central) in the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown pass on third and long with no time remaining in the third quarter. A missed extra point attempt made the score 10-6 in favor of the Titans.
Westminster would control the pace for most of the fourth quarter, eventually adding to their lead with a Romeo 21-yard field goal with 3:03 remaining in the contest. The scoring drive covered 15 yards on seven plays, and was set up by a Gator turnover on downs following a failed punt attempt.
The Gators mounted a comeback on their final possession, marching deep inside Titan territory after a 36-yard kickoff return by Jones. The Blue and Gold took two shots in the endzone, but both were knocked down by Titan cornerbacks, as the possession fizzled at the Westminster seven yard line.
Overall, Allegheny finished the game with 214 yards of offense (43 rush,171 pass) compared to 317 yards (89 rush,229 pass) for Westminster.
Individually, the Gators were led by Salopek, who came off the bench and completed 7-of-13 passes for 97 yards and a score. Receivers Jim Lieb (Carrolltown, Pa./Northern Cambria) and Jake Vite (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg Area) led the receiving corps, Lieb with five grabs for 38 yards and Vite with four catches for 81 yards. Sophomore running back Rodney Still (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) led a challenged Gator ground game with six carries for 29 yards.
Safety Curt Anderson (Batavia, N.Y./Batavia Notre Dame) led a valiant effort by the Gator defense with 11 tackles, as cornerback Jon Buggy (Homer City, Pa./Homer Center) and linebacker Mateo Villa (Windsor, Ohio/Middlefield Cardinal) aided the cause with nine tackles apiece. Buggey also picked up a sack and a forced fumble.
The Titans were paced by Myers, who started the game 10-for-10 en route to an efficient 23-for-33 for 228 yards. Running back Nick McKolosky totaled a game-high 90 yards on 27 carries while wideout Jason Discello grabbed a game-best six catches for 44 yards.
Defensively, Westminster was led by an eight-tackle performance from Jordan Blinn. Brad Meehan and Jake Martinez each totaled seven tackles in the winning effort.
The Gators have a bye week followed by a road contest at Hiram on Saturday, September 15; kick-off is set for 1 p.m.