As the crisp autumn air cuts through the western Pennsylvania landscape, things are expected to stay decidedly hot surrounding the friendly confines of Frank B. Fuhrer Field at Robertson Complex. For the 117th year, Allegheny College will showcase one of the region’s top grid programs, and ninth-year head coach Mark Matlak has plenty of reasons to be optimistic as the Gators prepare for another daunting slate, most notably the return of 50 letterwinners and 17 starters from last season’s 8-2 squad.
Looking around the league, it will be hard to find many competitors more poised and skilled to lead a championship attack than third-year starting quarterback T.J. Salopek. A 2009 NCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention selection, Salopek is on the cusp of shattering every Allegheny passing record. One of the team’s four senior captains, the North Huntingdon, Pa., product is tremendous in the huddle, reads comfortably through his progressions, and can deliver all the necessary throws. His development into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks has correlated with the Gators’ resurgence as a key player in the powerful North Coast Athletic Conference, and his continued growth could be the driving factor in Allegheny’s bid for a league-best 10 conference titles.
The loss of All-Conference wideout Jake Vite and Mark Sutton presents some question marks for the Gators’ aerial assault, but it also creates opportunities for the unit’s emerging talent. Senior Terry Hartford, who could be one of the league’s breakout stars, headlines this year’s crop. The 6’1” senior from Pittsburgh has explosive speed and has been among Salopek’s top targets every season. In addition to duties at split end, Hartford will also play a pivotal role on special teams as the starting kick and punt returner. Juniors Matt Griffith and Sean Griffin will fill the gap at flanker, while senior David Stawser shifts from quarterback to receiver in the coaches’ effort to capitalize on his 6’3” frame and tremendous football IQ. Although the Gator offense completed just 19 passes to its tight ends last year, expect an increased focus on that position in the play calling, paced by senior Rob Carlisle.
Despite tremendous leadership behind center, the Gators’ realize the importance in an effective run game in opening up the field. The goal for Allegheny this season will be to run the ball as well as it throws, and will utilize a power attack that highlights both the tailback and fullback. Junior Brian Tamburlin gets the preseason nod as the squad’s top ground carrier. Second on the team in rushing last season, fans, coaches, and rivals caught a glimpse of No. 6 against Carnegie Mellon as Tamburlin rushed for 132 yards in the Gators’ thrilling 38-35 win on the road. Respected for both his running and blocking abilities, David Tate shoulders the duties at fullback. A two-year starter, Tate’s impact is essential in helping the offense achieve its potential.
Up front the Gators’ are a strong, if thin, unit. Senior captain Keith Beach anchors the offensive line as the team’s starting center. In addition to fueling the critical exchange off the snap, Beach will be entrusted to neutralize the opposition’s nose tackle and help coordinate and direct the efforts for the rest of the group. Junior Anthony Pizutti and sophomore guard Conor Sharp are expected to serve as the cornerstones on the right side, while junior tackle Sam Taylor and sophomore Kevin Ignarri will be pivotal in protecting the blind side.
A strong defense has been at the center of Allegheny’s tradition of success and the emergence of defensive coordinator’s Mike Kashurba’s 3-4 operation will be critical to the team’s overall fortune. First Team All-Conference performer Sid Facaros is the sizzle in the Gators’ aggressive defense, having started all 10 games last season at strong safety while ranking second in the conference with four interceptions. Junior Shane Heschke will start at free safety, while fellow junior Travis Wilkins and senior Craig Stamm will patrol the corners. Wilkins, who is positioned at the boundary corner, totaled five sacks for a loss of 37 yards last season.
In many ways, the linebacker corps is unproven, although Allegheny does return one starter in middle linebacker Doug Williams, who recorded 38 tackles in seven starts, but will need to embrace a leading role for the defensive unit this year by eliminating the middle and containing the outside. Senior Vince Luvara or sophomore John Douglas will start on the weak side, with James Piper locking down the strong side.
The defensive front is led by senior captain Jermaine Mitchell, who has appeared in every game during his collegiate career. Mitchell served for a year on the Gators’ offensive line before switching back to nose guard last year where he recorded at least one tackle in every contest. Junior Mike Brown should get the start at tackle after two years of limited duty, while Pittsburgh native senior Joel Trembulak and fellow fourth-year player Steve Sliger will work the ends.
If there is one area on the field where Allegheny might be consistently and considerably better than the opposition it’s at special teams. Kicker Ryan Zipf and punter Andrew DeJong both earned All-Conference plaudits last season, and for the second consecutive campaign, Zipf is on the watch list for the Fred Mitchell Award, which is presented to the nation’s top kicker. The coverage unit had mixed results in 2009, but the coaching staff has placed a strong emphasis on improving the kick-off and return game. The highly specialized role of long snapper will be contested throughout camp, with junior Ryan Ridenour likely filling the role.
Allegheny is a program of high expectations as well as high-gear academics. Although the program last celebrated a conference championship in 2003, the Gators have rarely faltered out of contention, having finished .500 or better 24 times in the 27 seasons as a member of the NCAC. A mainstay in the league’s title hunt, the 2010 edition of Allegheny football will likely prove to be a difficult match-up as the program sets its sights on another NCAC crown and a coveted spot in the NCAA postseason picture.