GRANVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 14) – A valiant fourth quarter comeback came up just short as Denison University pushed 15th ranked Alma College to the wire in a 38-30 loss Saturday afternoon at Deeds Field – Piper Stadium.
The Scots, who advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals last season, built a halftime lead and appeared headed for a comfortable victory before the Big Red staged an impressive comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.
Fueled by an impressive performance by freshman quarterback Tyler Green, Denison scored three touchdowns in the final 15 minutes to pull within a single possession. Green completed 28-of-42 pass attempts for 320 yards and three touchdown passes.
A pair of receivers surpassed the 100-yard mark. Tommy Asleson finished with a career-high 12 catches and a career-high 115 yards. The two touchdown receptions were the first of his collegiate career. Billy Guzzo went for 102 yards on six catches and a touchdown.
Denison sported a balanced offensive attack. Trey Fabrocini rushed 22 times for 109 yards. The Big Red rolled up 432 yards of total offense in the loss. Alma amassed 469 yards offensively.
Despite a strong first half, Alma was able to take a 28-9 lead into halftime due to their ability to finish off drives. Denison, on the other hand, despite putting together three good drives, had to settle for field goals on three of its four first half drives.
Denison opened the game with a productive opening possession. Daniel Cunningham drilled home a 23-yard field goal to give Denison the 3-0 lead over the Scots. The Big Red marched 69 yards on 14 plays before converting the field goal attempt. The drive took 9:14 off the first quarter clock.
Alma responded with a 13-play drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Carter St. John. The Scots used a gadget play to tack on a two-point conversion. That gave Alma its first lead at 8-3 with 1:23 left in the opening quarter.
Denison cut the lead when Cunningham tacked on another field goal. This time a 21-yard field goal resulted in points to finish off the 64-yard drive that spanned 11 plays. The kick made it 8-6 at the 11:04 mark of the second quarter.
Alma would add its second touchdown of the day when St. John hit Kahleel Brown for a two-yard score. The touchdown play finished off a 75-yard drive which lasted just 2:55 of game time. The touchdown extended the Alma lead to 15-6 with 8:09 left in the half.
The Big Red would pull back within one possession after Cunningham drilled his third field goal of the first half. His 26-yard field goal drew Denison within 15-9 at the 1:57 mark of the second quarter. The drive chewed up six-plus minutes of game clock.
Alma used its quick strike offensive to put some distance between itself and Denison before halftime. The Scots scored twice in the final 33 seconds of the first half. St. John hit Zach Poff for a nine-yard score to finish off a nine-play, 75-yard drive.
After forcing a three-and-out by Denison, the Scots used a hook-and-ladder play up the sideline to score on a 69-yard touchdown play as the first half expired. The PAT was blocked to put the Alma lead at 28-9 at halftime.
St. John, a fourth-team All-American last season, had a hand in all four first half touchdowns. Alma stretched its lead to 35-9 with the lone score of the third quarter. A three-yard rush by Davin Reif gave the Scots' the score.
Denison made things interesting with a pair of touchdowns. Green showed his resolve in leading the scoring drives. He first led the Big Red on a 98-yard drive for a score. Green hit Asleson for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 13:56 left in the fourth. Just around four minutes later, Green connected with Guzzo for a 43-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-five play. That score cut the deficit to 35-23 at the 9:25 mark.
Alma was able to control the ball for four-plus minutes and added a field goal to stretch its lead to 38-23 with 4:59 showing on the clock.
Down two scores and with limited time remaining, Green marched Denison down the field before hitting Asleson for a 17-yard score with 1:07 to play. The point after cut the deficit to 38-30. Cunningham put the onside kick into a good spot, as a Denison player was able to knock the ball free. However, the Scots pounced on the loose ball to gain possession and seal the victory.
Defensively, Drew Duffy and Collin Murphy finished with seven tackles apiece. Michael Ballenger put together a strong effort off the edge, adding six tackles and a sack.
Denison opens North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) play next weekend. The Big Red welcomes Kenyon College on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.