Football 11/3/2007 12:00:00 AM

It's Bison-tacular! Gallaudet wins over Maritime, 28-13

WASHINGTON, DC--Gallaudet picked up its fourth win of the season over the SUNY-Maritime Privateers, 28-13. In his last home game as a Bison, Jason Coleman found himself in a familiar position--playing quarterback for the injured Fletch Kuehne. Coleman's efforts in the air were quiet, 4-for-7, 26 yards with his longest connection being a 15-yarder to wideout Chester Kuschmider. However, it was the ground effort where the senior shone, scrambling for 152 yards off 20 carries and a touchdown punch-in from 8 yards out.

The win is Gallaudet's first home victory against a NCAA Division III Varsity team since 1990.

The first quarter saw the Privateers get up on the board off a 15-yard Michael Smooke run. On the opening possession, quarterback Fletch Kuehne answered off the snap with a 65-yard run to even the score at 7 apiece.

With 56 seconds remaining on the clock, Bison running back Dan Alexander would get a touch, and a score as he punched in from three yards out to give the Bison a 14-7 edge--a lead the Buff and Blue would never relinquish. All told, the Bison had produced 14 points out of a combined 10 plays, 123 yards and 5 minutes, 44 seconds of possession.

Safety Rantz Teeters made his presence known in the middle of the Privateers' next drive, as he picked off a Smooke pass, setting up the Bison offense at its own 17. General Coleman then marched his troops down the field, including a big gain by Alexander that was padded off a Privateer personal foul. Coleman would punch in another score, with Justin Wilson splitting the uprights on the point-after-touchdown (PAT)--21-7, Buff and Blue.

Not one to be outdone, Privateer Ben Swedish worked hard for his 128 yards off 24 touches, but the Bison defense would not allow him in the end zone today. The only other Privateer score was a 11-yard connection from backup quarterback Joseph Galante to tight end Marc Kunchev.

Bison kickoff returner Pierre Price showed his response to Galante's touchdown pass by slicing the Privateer defense as he returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for another touchdown.

Rantz Teeters led the defensive effort, collecting heads as he racked up 8 tackles (7 solo, 2 assists), an interception as well as breaking up two passes. Linebacker Calvin Doudt was right behind his mate, with 6.5 stops (5 solo, 3 assists), and Andrew Zernovoj had 6 (5/2), to round out the defensive leaders. Adam Tygart and Marty Blomquist each picked up a fumble recovery.

The win is Coach Ed Hottle's 19th as a Bison, and improves the Buff and Blue to 4-5 with a chance at finishing the season even (.500) next week as the Bison travel to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania to take on Juniata College.