After CMU’s first touchdown, the Gators answered with a six-play, 65-yard possession that found paydirt on a 16-yard touchdown haul by freshman tailback Eric Mastrogiacomo.

However, the Gators’ next four possessions netted a total of zero yards (one went for negative 10) and featured one turnover — a fumble by quarterback T.J. Salopek that CMU cornerback Aleksey Tigay returned 55 yards to the Allegheny 14.

Later in the fourth quarter, Salopek would fumble again and get picked off twice.

“The turnovers were a big part of the football game,” said Lackner. “And they were tough turnovers for them. We returned one to their (14) in the first half. And we returned an interception into the red zone in the second half. The turnovers were killers for Allegheny.”

Yet, in the third quarter the junior Salopek would orchestrate another scoring drive. This one went 41 yards on eight plays and ended when Salopek pushed the ball across the plane from one yard away. That close the gap on CMU to 24-14 for CMU. But it would end up being the last time the Gators found the end zone.

Salopek ended the game going 8-for-13 for 137 yards in the air. Matt Giffith had three catches for 34 yards while Bobby Burkes caught two passes for 82 yards.

Burkes also had a couple nice kickoff returns for the Gators. Both times, Jeremy Walker received the kick and handed it off to Burkes.

In the second quarter, Burkes took the switch and went 58 yards to set Allegheny up on CMU’s 33. In the third quarter, Burkes added a 46-yard return to the Tartans’ 46.

“The only thing that was disappointing was our kickoff coverage,” said coach Lackner. “It wasn’t where it needed to be at times. But give Allegheny credit, the kids blocked it well and their return people did a nice job.”

Rushing for Allegheny, Mastrogiacomo had 52 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. David Tate had six carries for 40 yards.

Pete Chiodo can be reached at 724-6370 ext. 275 or by e-mail at pchiodo@meadvilletribune.com.