WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Gallaudet University football team marched down the field early Saturday afternoon against the Merchant Marine Academy as the Bison jumped out to an early 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The Mariners responded with 38 unanswered points before Gallaudet found the end zone late in the fourth quarter as it lost the season opener, 38-14, before 1,028 fans at Hotchkiss Field.

The Bison (0-1) received the opening kick-off at their own 24-yard line to start the first drive of the game. Gallaudet ran the ball well as sophomore Mike Gimeli and senior Jimmy Gardner shouldered the load for the Bison. GU made it to the Merchant Marine 1-yard line before the Mariner defense ended the 13-play drive for the Bison on downs. Gallaudet chewed up nearly eight minutes on the first drive where the Bison gained 71 yards.

On the next play, the Mariners pitched the ball to Karl Heimbrock (16 carries, 80 yards) who was hit by Gallaudet defensive lineman Richard Bailey (five tackles), jarred the ball loose. GU freshman defensive lineman Jarred Pearce (four tackles) jumped on the fumble at the MMA's 3-yard line to give the Bison the ball back.

Gallaudet punched in the ball as Gimeli ran into the end zone from three-yards out for the touchdown at the 7:10 mark in the first quarter. Senior Ryan Lentz kicked the extra-point to give GU the early 7-0 lead.

The Mariners (1-0) responded on the next drive with a touchdown of their own as Heimbrock scored on a five-yard run to knot the game at seven apiece. MMA used seven plays to cover 59 yards in three minutes and 32 seconds.

The squads remained tied until late in the second quarter when Heimbrock scored from 12 yards out to give the Merchant Marine Academy a 14-7 lead at the half.

The Mariners scored touchdowns on their first two possessions in the third quarter and later tacked on a 15-yard field goal to take a 31-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

Gallaudet sophomore running back Phillip Hayes (two carries, 76 yards) broke through the Mariner defensive line and scampered 67 yards to the end zone with 4:23 left in the game to give the Bison their second touchdown in the game.

GU had three runners eclipse the 70-yard threshold in rushing yards as Gimeli led the way with 83 yards on 17 carries followed by Hayes and Gardner's 70 yards on 12 carries. Gallaudet ran for 250 yards as a team.

Hayes also added 78 kick return yards to give him 154 all-purpose yards, two yards shy of the game-high set by MMA's Alex Coviello (109 rushing yards).

Bailey led the Bison defense as he made a game-high one and a half sacks, forced one fumble and had one pass breakup for GU. Senior Michel Daze' and Joshua Doudt led the Bison with seven tackles each.

Gallaudet will next travel to Ohio to face Hiram College on Saturday, September 12, at Noon. The game will be the first game of the year for the Terriers.