Freshman quarterback Canaan Gebele accounted for 291 yards and three touchdowns as Denison pulled away from Allegheny for a 33-7 victory.

This game was closer than the final score indicated as the two teams played a scoreless first quarter.  Denison did not get on the scoreboard until 10:25 left in the second when Conor Dunn booted a 23-yard field goal that was set up by a 48-yard rush by Gebele on the drive's first play.

Denison's defense responded with a three-and-out on Allegheny's next possession, allowing Gebele and the Big Red to take over on the Gator 42-yard line.  A 24-yard pass from Gebele to Dushawn Brown got DU down to the Allegheny 15.  From there, a steady dose of freshman tailback Jackson Young resulted in the game's first touchdown, from two-yards out.

While the Denison offense had its moments on Saturday, the defense came through time and time again, preventing any positive momentum from the Gators.

On first down from their own 41, Allegheny quarterback Logan Lee was intercepted by DU defensive end, Zach Neufeld at the 45.  Neufeld followed a cavalry of blockers for a 19-yard return, giving the offense stellar field position once again.

Starting at the Gator 26, Cody Farley contributed an 8-yard run before Gebele finished things off with a 10-yard touchdown scamper.  Dunn's PAT try was blocked, sending the two teams into the locker room with Denison on top, 16-0.

Like the first quarter, no points were scored in the third as both teams chewed up minimal yardage in the middle of the field.  As the quarter came to a close, Denison had the ball on the Allegheny 2-yard line.  The drive ended on a 20-yard field goal by Dunn, giving DU a 19-0 lead.

Allegheny countered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a 20-yard touchdown pass from Lee to Tyler Smith on third down.  Now leading 19-7 with 9:26 left in the game, DU would need a score while chewing up some clock to stay in the clear.

Starting on their own 33, Gebele and Young went to work on the ground, pounding the Allegheny defense with five straight rushes of five yards or more.  On 2nd and 6 from the Allegheny 16,  Gebele went to the air and connected with Richard Wehman III on a 16-yard scoring strike which put the game out of reach at 26-7. 

Denison's final TD came on a 7-yard pass from Gebele to Cam Layer with 20 seconds left.

Gebele carried the ball 22 times and finished with a career-high 148 yards rushing.  He was also 17-of-24 passing for 143 yards and two scores.  Brown led the receiving corps with six catches for 66 yards.

Denison's defense held Allegheny to just 26 yards rushing and 242 total yards for the game.  The Gators pieced together 17 first downs but were just 4-of-12 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down.  Junior safety Andrew Baird led the defense with eight tackles and two pass break-up's.  Zach Pewitt and Lucas Romick each added seven tackles.  Romick also had one of DU's four sacks on the day.  Senior defensive end Lars Soderberg tallied two sacks while Cameron Kahl added the fourth.  Neufeld's interception in the second quarter was the lone interception in the game.  Sophomore safety Brice Winans also added a fumble recovery on Allegheny's first play of the third quarter.

For the Gators, Nick Murgo finished with 12 tackles.  Chris Patrick had seven stops and two sacks.  Lee, who was making his first start at quarterback, was 19-of-35 for 216 yards and a touchdown.  Smith led all receivers with five receptions for 77 yards.

With the win, Denison improves to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in the NCAC.  Allegheny falls to 0-7.  The Big Red will return to the friendly confines of Piper Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 31, when they host DePauw at 2 p.m.  Denison has won five-straight at home dating back to last season.