MEADVILLE, Pa. – The Geneva College football team picked up an important road victory at Allegheny on Saturday afternoon, using a standout passing game and a strong defensive effort to leave town with a 28-16 victory over the Gators.  Geneva has now won two straight and improved to 2-2 overall, 2-0 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

After Geneva punted on the opening possession, Allegheny responded with its only successful drive of the first half.  The Gators marched 84 yards, eventually scoring a touchdown, to put the Golden Tornadoes in an early hole.

The Geneva defense really locked down after the initial Allegheny score, though.  Geneva got on the board late in the first quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from junior Caleb Romano to sophomore Dayne Johnke.

The defense continued to stymie the Allegheny offense, getting sacks from junior Coltin Hill and sophomores Ry'Shaun Johnson and Wyman Shaheen.

The Golden Tornadoes took their first lead of the game with four minutes remaining in the half when Romano connected with senior Seth Tyson on a 26-yard score.

Allegheny took a risk with a minute to go, going for it on 4th-and-2 at the Gators' own 36-yard line, and Geneva stuffed the attempted run.  That gave the Golden Tornadoes great field position with under a minute left, and the offense made Allegheny pay when Romano hit senior Luke Crumbacher for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining to send the Golden Tornadoes into the half with a 21-7 lead.

Geneva's defense forced another punt on the opening possession of the second half, and the Golden Tornado offense added to their lead shortly after.  Romano connected with senior Keaton Baker for a 29-yard touchdown pass to extend the Geneva lead to 28-7.

The offense slowed down after that touchdown drive, and a couple special teams miscues allowed Allegheny to put some points on the board, but the defense eventually held late when needed to.  Senior Nicholas Ciriello came up with a huge stop on fourth down inside the Geneva 5-yard line to keep Allegheny from pulling within one score. 

Sophomore defensive backs Noah Hutcherson and Cody Patterson picked off passes late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, 28-16.

Romano had another big day passing, completing 29-of-48 passes for 354 yards and four touchdowns.  Romano spread his passes around to the Golden Tornadoes' talented quartet of receivers.  Tyson finished with nine catches for 102 yards and a score.  Baker added five catches for 98 yards and touchdown, while Crumbacher caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.  Johnke added seven catches for 71 yards and a score.  Freshman running back Christian Martin led the team with 55 yards rushing, on 11 attempts.

Defensively, Ciriello led the team with 10 tackles, including 3.0 tackles-for-loss, while senior Reed Gordon added nine stops.  The defensive finished with seven sacks, led by Hill (2.0 sacks) and Shaheen (1.5 sacks).

Geneva returns home for a huge contest next Saturday against Grove City.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.  Saturday is also Geneva's Hall of Fame celebration for the 2025 class, with a banquet set prior to the football game honoring the inductees.