Allegheny College Athletics

Senior Freddy Ruiz led the Gator defense In the 38-6 season-opening victory at Thiel, as he tallied six solo tackles, including a sack and three other for loss, while forcing one fumble and recovering two.  The senior helped spearhead an Allegheny defensive unit that surrendered just 189 yards of total offense, and allowed just nine Thiel first downs.

Ruiz's first big play came on the opening snap of the second quarter, as he strip-sacked Thiel quarterback Ronald Brown for a five-yard loss to the Thiel 15.  Two plays later, Tyler Balla's touchdown run gave the Gators a 14-6 lead that they would not relinquish.  Just three minutes later, Ruiz recovered his second fumble of the game, and again the Gators quickly took advantage, with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Logan Lee to Alex Victor on the ensuing play.  

For his performance, he was named the North Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the first Gator to earn the honor since Sept. 2014.