Richard Barnes went the distance as Wooster's starting quarterback, completing 21-of-37 passes and running on another 14 plays.

WOOSTER, Ohio – A 28-yard Ryan Mong field goal with 1:30 remaining in regulation was the difference, as Allegheny College walked away from a muggy John P. Papp Stadium with a 17-14 decision over The College of Wooster in both teams' season opener Saturday afternoon.

The final three points concluded a 15-play, 59-yard drive that ate up 6:20 of possession and included a crucial defensive holding penalty on a 3rd-and-11 play from the Wooster 25. The incomplete pass there likely would have forced Allegheny (1-0) to attempt a 42-yard field goal, but instead, the first down allowed the Gators to set up a chip shot for the win.

Wooster (0-1), with one timeout left, had one more shot, but was only able to muster six yards before turning it over on downs, as Allegheny's defense completed its second-half shutout.

The Fighting Scots controlled the momentum for nearly the entire first half, starting with an interception by freshman cornerback Lenard Rivers on the third play from scrimmage. In fact, the ball stayed on the Gators' half of the field for all but two plays of the first quarter, however, Wooster was unable to take advantage on the scoreboard.

Continuing to win the field-position battle, the Scots scored early in the second quarter. Richard Barnes made a series of key throws that series, staring with an 18-yarder to Adam Coppock on 3rd-and-15, and two plays later, a screen pass to Jonathan Miller resulted in a 33-yard gain. Eventually on 1st-and-goal from the nine, Barnes split two defenders in the backfield, then hit Tyler Sinclair in the left side of the end zone for the touchdown. It marked the second career reception for the senior tight end.

Next, the Wooster defense forced a three-and-out, with the offense taking over at the Allegheny 45. Barnes marched the Scots to another touchdown, completing 4-of-5 passes for 34 yards during the eight-play drive. The touchdown play saw Justin Rice wrong foot his opposing cornerback, as he was wide open on the left for a two-yard reception and 14-0 lead.

Another three-and-out ensued, however, on Wooster's next possession, the tide began to change when the Scots fumbled it in the backfield with the Gators' John Douglas recovering at the 35-yard line. Allegheny moved down to the eight-yard line with :51 to play in the half when thunder and lightning reached the area.

The Gators made good use of the 45-minute weather delay, scoring on the first play after the delay as David Bassi snuck out of the backfield and Mike Person found his tight end open for the eight-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 right before the half.

The third quarter was primarily a battle for field position. The two squads exchanged six punts until another Wooster fumble in the backfield gave Allegheny a short field, this time Ryan Sherry pouncing on it at the 34.

Four plays later, on 4th-and-8, a miscommunication in the defensive backfield allowed Person to connect with Isaac Gittens for a 32-yard touchdown and Mong's extra point evened the score at 14.

Jordan McIntyre appeared to give the Scots back the momentum with a 40-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, but the good field position went to no avail.

Early in the fourth quarter, Wooster drove inside the red zone, keyed by a 17-yard highlight-reel run that saw Barnes somehow elude what appeared to be a certain sack. The drive stalled, though, at the 19 and a dropped pass on 4th-and-3 gave possession back to the Gators.

A couple series later, the visitors began the game-winning drive at their own 31 and steadily marched down field.

Overall, the Scots outgained Allegheny 278-191 and produced more first downs (14-10), but were done in by the two fumbles in their own territory as well as their 11 penalties for 97 yards.

Barnes finished 21-of-37 on the day for 198 passing yards and was also the team's leading rusher with 51 net yards on 14 attempts. Rice was his top target with five receptions and 39 yards, while Miller made a nice impression in his collegiate debut with 27 yards on six carries.

For the Gators, Person completed 13-of-25 for 120 yards in his first career start and the top receiver was Andrew Niklaus with three receptions for 38 yards. Ben Perko ran for 28 yards on nine attempts.

Next Saturday afternoon, Wooster will be in western Pennsylvania for its first-ever meeting against Saint Vincent College (0-1).