GREENCASTLE, Ind. – North Coast Athletic Conference co-leader DePauw University flexed its muscles on both sides of the ball, defeating the visiting Gators 50-0.
 
The Tigers remain undefeated on the season, moving to 6-0 (5-0 NCAC), while the Gators fall to 0-6 (0-5 NCAC).
 
The top-ranked offense in the NCAC, the Tigers showcased a well-balanced attack, amassing 333 passing yards and 303 on the ground, while posting a total of 33 first downs.
 
In a tight first quarter, both teams moved the ball well, but came up empty on long drives.  On their first possession of the afternoon, the Tigers drove inside the Allegheny 9, but the Gator defense then came up with the stand.  On a first down run, Will Aeschbacher stuffed DePauw running back Jason Kirchhoff for no gain, before the Tigers misfied on back-to-back incompletions to bring out the field goal unit.  The 26-yard attempt was wide left, and the game remained scoreless
 
On the ensuing possession, the Gators countered with a lengthy drive of their own.  A 30-yard pass from Logan Lee to Tyler Smith set up first down at midfield, before Nick Deichler rumbled for an eight-yard carry to the DePauw 30.  Three plays later, the Gators converted on a third and 14 when Lee found Francisco Guzman for a 14-yard pass to set up shop at the DePauw 17.  The Tiger defense then made a stand, holding the Gators without a yard over the next three plays to bring out the Gator field goal unit.  Ben Ziolkowski's 36-yard attempt was blocked, and the Gators came up empty after a 13-play, 63-yard drive. 
 
The hosts took the lead on their next possession, with a six-play, 86-yard drive capped off by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Matt Hunt to Jake Hagan with 4:34 left in the opening stanza.
 
After the two teams traded punts in the closing minutes of the first quarter, DePauw took charge in the second stanza, amassing 223 yards and scoring touchdowns on three straight possessions to take a 28-0 lead into the intermission.
 
The DePauw defense clamped down in the third quarter, holding the Gators to just 27 yards on 19 plays, while the Tiger offense added on with a 24-yard field goal and a six-yard touchdown scramble by Hunt to go in front 38-0 heading into the final stanza.
 
The Gators saw their best chance at cutting into their lead on their opening possession of the fourth quarter, twice keeping the drive alive with third down conversions.  Facing third-and-13, quarterback Jon Nigro completed a 14-yard pass to Lucas Morton to advance the ball into DePauw territory.  Three plays later on third-and-two, Tyler Balla ran for three yards to the DePauw 30.  However, the drive would come to an abrupt halt, when DePauw intercepted a pass inside its own five yard line.
 
The Tigers would then close out the day's scoring with touchdowns on their next two drives to seal the victory.
 
Facing constant pressure from a DePauw defense that tallied six sacks, Lee completed 10 of 25 passes for 105 yards and Nigro eight of 18 for 66 yards.  Senior Lucas Morton posted a career-high seven catches, gaining 67 yards, while junior tight end John McFarland caught four passes for 31 yards.
 
With the six DePauw sacks accounting for 40 yards, the Gator rushing game ended with just 12 yards on the day.  Senior Nick Deichler led the way with 38 yards on seven carries, and became the team's first back since 2011 graduate Brian Tamburlin to go over the 1,000-yard mark for his career.
 
Defensively, Nick Murgo paced Allegheny with 10 tackles, including seven solos, while Aeschbacher and Tristan Rhoades each totaled six apiece, with Aeschbacher producing two tackles for loss.
 
For DePauw, Hunt, the reigning NCAC Player of the Week, completed 21 of 30 passes for 24 yards and three touchdowns, while running for 69 yards and a score.  Kirchhoff ran for 117 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, and Andy Hunt made seven catches for 177 yard, including an 83-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.  Will Longthorne led the Tiger defense with seven tackles, as DePauw surrendered just 186 yards and 12 first downs to the Gators.    
 
The Gators will now return home next Saturday to play their first contest at Frank B. Fuhrer Field in 29 days, as they host undefeated Denison beginning at 1 p.m.