Football Hosts Allegheny Saturday

Game Notes - pdf

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team will look for its first win of 2013 when it hosts the Gators of Allegheny College Saturday, September 14. Both squads will enter the 53rd meeting between the schools with a 0-1 mark.  The Tartans lead the all-time series 30-20-2.  

Carnegie Mellon is coming off a 28-10 setback at Grove City where they totaled 366 yards of total offense and were led defensively by senior safety Jack Butler (Kennesaw, Ga./North Cobb) with a career-high 11 tackles.  Senior quarterback Rob Kalkstein (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) completed 14 passes to seven different receivers for a total of 158 yards.  Leading the corps of receivers was junior Tim Swanson (Millburn, N.J.) with four receptions for 54 yards.

The Tartans will look to get their ground game moving, as the Gators surrendered 253 yards rushing in their 37-7 home opening loss to Kenyon College last Saturday. Running the ball has been a hallmark for Carnegie Mellon, as the Tartans have led the University Athletic Association in rushing the past 15 years.

Carnegie Mellon head coach Rich Lackner is tied to Allegheny head coach Mark Matlak from their playing days.  The two faced each other four times on the gridiron before graduating in 1978.  Lackner was a standout linebacker for the Tartans and Matlak lined up opposite him as a fullback for the Gators.  The Tartans' head man got the best of Matlak in his four years, as his Carnegie Mellon team went 3-1 against Allegheny.  

Since becoming coaches, the roles have been reversed as Matlak holds a 4-2 lead over Lackner as the two prepare for Saturday's meeting on the gridiron. In the two Tartan victories, Carnegie Mellon has averaged 310 yards per game on the ground compared to averaging 167 yards in the four losses.

Last season, the Tartans won 37-7 in Meadville.  Carnegie Mellon will look to take two straight from the Gators on Saturday with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. on the turf of Gesling Stadium.