Box Score

BETHANY, W.Va. – Interceptions on two consecutive possessions early in the first half set up two touchdown passes by senior star T.J. Salopek and Allegheny cruised to a 28-0 victory at Bethany College in the 2010 season opener for both schools. The victory marked the 31st time that the Gators have opened their slate with a shutout, and their second consecutive effort since Allegheny blanked Case Western Reserve, 26-0, in 1975.

Salopek was sharp throughout most of the day, especially in the first half where he tossed three touchdowns, the first two to senior wideout Terry Hartford. Salopek established a new school record for career attempts during the tilt, and after closing the afternoon 19-of-28 for 207 yards and four touchdowns, is just 68 yards away from becoming Allegheny's (1-0) all-time leader in passing yards.

Although the offense was far from the razor-sharp juggernaut head coach Mark Matlak hopes to see materialize as the season moves on, the defense was sound en route to the team's first shutout since week three of 2009. The Gators kept the Bison (0-1) out of the red zone the entire afternoon, made three picks, and held Bethany to 110 yards through the air.

Junior middle linebacker Doug Williams enjoyed the best game of his career, while emerging as the top defender on Saturday. In addition to a team-high eight tackles, Williams negated the Bison's best offensive series after making an interception at the Allegheny 16-yard line, followed by a 26-yard return that set up the Gators second score.

Senior Ryan Zipf, who has developed into one of the nation's top placekickers, missed two field goal attempts, including a 32-yard try on Allegheny's first possession of the game. Bethany only had the ball for two plays before senior safety Sid Facaros hauled in his fifth interception dating back to last season. Three plays later, the Gators found the end zone as Salopek connected with Hartford from 12 yards out.

After the Williams pick, Allegheny leveraged production out of its ground game to put the team in scoring position. Matt Dievert and Tim Worley combined for 15 yards on two carries, while Salopek capped the drive with a two-yard toss to Hartford.

Allegheny took complete command of the game late in the second quarter as the offense ran the two-minute drill to perfection. Salopek was 5-for-5 on the series, including consecutive completions to Sean Griffin totaling 38 yards. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, Salopek found tight end Rob Carlisle in the end zone to give the Blue and Gray a 21-0 lead at the break.

Brian Tamburlin, who finished with a team-best 58 yards on 14 carries, set up the final score of the day with tough runs of five, seven, and six yards. Griffin, who totaled a game-high 85 yards receiving, hauled in a 37-yard strike on the drive as well. With first-and-goal from the Bethany nine, Salopek located the 6'3” frame of back-up quarterback David Strawser for his fourth touchdown of the afternoon.

Hartford finished the opener with 129 all-purpose yards. He added 91 yards on five punt returns to his 38 yards receiving. Punter Andrew DeJong also enjoyed a strong game in helping the defense to pitch the shutout by averaging 36.5 yards on six punts, including two inside the Bison 20.

Statistically the contest was fairly even as Allegheny finished with 288 total yards to Bethany's 202. Both teams had the ball for nearly 30 minutes, although the Gators capitalized with a superior effort on special teams while taking advantage of four turnovers.

Both squads were also flagged heavily throughout the action. Allegheny finished with 10 penalties for 108 yards while Bethany was whistled eight times for 117 yards.