Meadville, Pa.- The Denison Big Red football team kicked off the 2025 season against an old conference foe, Allegheny College. In their first matchup since 2021, Denison was able to hang their first win of the year in a 35-24 decision over Allegheny. The Gators were one of the founding members of the North Coast Athletic Conference before leaving for the Presidents' Athletic Conference in 2022. The Gators have amassed a 22-12 record against the Big Red, with their first matchup dating back to 1984. 

Up Next: Denison will travel north to face Alma College in Alma, Michigan, for their week two game.

Denison 35, Allgheny 24

As cloudy skies rolled over Frank B. Fuhrer Field, the Big Red took the field against their former conference foe to open up out-of-conference play for the 2025 season. After winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half, the Gators wasted no time getting on the board. Quarterback Carson Colucci launched a 70-yard deep ball to connect with Devin Larry for the first points of the game. Denison would respond with a 10-play drive but would ultimately be stopped on fourth down.

Both teams would go on to trade defensive blows. The Big Red came up short on the goal line, but the red swarm of the Denison defense was able to stall Allegheny's early momentum. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Green would record the first touchdown of the year, pulling it for himself on a two-yard touchdown run to even things up at 6-6.

Following back-to-back punts, the Big Red took control of the ball with just 2:57 left on the clock in the first half. The offense would go on to execute a perfect ten-play drive, marching 69 yards and scoring with twelve seconds left on the clock. On third and goal from the ten-yard line, Green connected with senior wideout Logan Yater to punctuate the end of the first half, capped off by a Jared Smith extra point to head to the break up 13-6.

In the second half, both teams would remain scoreless through the opening drives. With 8:29 left in the 3rd, the Allegheny defense came up big, capitalizing on a tipped pass and returning it for a pick-six. The Denison defense was able to block the kick to remain up one. In the ensuing drive, the Gators tacked on another pick-six to take an 18-13 lead, again, the Denison defense stopping a two-point conversion to keep things within reach.

The nerves started to fade, and the offense began to click in the 4th quarter. Starting on their own 30-yard line, the offense marched down the field with an 11-play drive, draining 6:12 off the clock and taking back the lead. Alex Stackhouse reeled in his first touchdown catch of the season, and Cade Nowik converted the two-point play to take a 21-18 lead.

The Big Red defense continued to lay it on thick. On the first play of the following drive, first-year defensive back Fin O'Brien jumped a route and took the Gator pass back for six.

Now in the driver's seat, the Big Red took advantage of a short field, courtesy of a thunderous fourth-down stop by the defense. Cade Nowik hauled in an acrobatic catch on fourth down to take the offense to the two-yard line. Blayton Reid punched it in for the final Big Red touchdown on the day, moving the lead to 35-18.

Ultimately, the Big Red were able to leave Allegheny with a 35-24 victory. The defense was lights out, holding the Gators to just eight first downs and 191 total yards. Colton Morrow and Nick Pellicciotta led the way with four tackles apiece while Chase Daniel picked up a sack. On offense, Blayton Reid stole the show, carrying the ball 39 times for 189 yards. Tyler Green spread the wealth through the air, connecting with Cade Nowik, Grayson Kerscher, Jack Williams, Alex Stackhouse, and Logan Yater evenly. Freshman punter Luke Reed averaged 49.5 yards per punt, pinning the opponent on the four-yard line on his 61-yard bomb.