BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. - The Allen University football team used big play offense to overwhelm visiting Erskine College 24-17 to earn a win in their season opener Saturday night from Westwood High. 

Sophomore QB David Wright threw for 370 yards and 2 TDs on the night while senior WR Deyandre Ruffin recorded 6 receptions for 107 yards and a terrific leaping 27-yard touchdown to put Allen up 7-0 in the first.

Freshman RB Alan Riggins then ran in a 69-yard TD scamper to help put the game away in the 4th quarter as Allen would lead 24-10 with 12 minutes to play. Riggins also rushed for a 3 yard score late in the third quarter to put Allen up 17-10. Riggins finished the game rushing for 34 yards and catching two receptions for 76 yards to total 110 yards of offense. Junior WR Jamal Jones also had a solid game grabbing 5 receptions for 77 yards while fellow senior WR Montrell White caught two passes for 59 yards.

"Proud of the group tonight," commented head coach Teddy Keaton. "This is why we work so hard in the offseason to earn a win like this to become 1-0! Now we prepare for next week as we continue to improve." 

Defensively, Allen's revamped D held the Fleet to only 265 yards of total offense including just 96 in the first half as Allen took a 10-7 lead into the break on Kicker Seedy Bojang's field goal. Allen's defense forced three EC turnovers in the game while recording three sacks on the night. AU forced an EC fumble, intercepted an EC pass by safety Dahlil Wilkins, and forced Erskine to turn the ball over on downs late in the fourth with another huge sack.

Senior CB Diquan Brown led the defense with 9 total tackles and 7 solo while all-conference linebacker Gary Bourrage recorded 7 tackles and a sack. Freshman LB Andre Phillips also had a good game making 6 tackles including a tackle for loss while fellow junior linebackers Justin Eaton and Kayleb Pierce each recorded a sack and combined for seven tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. 

Allen, who is now ranked #9 in the latest HBCU top 10 poll, will next remain home to host Columbus State (Ga.) next Saturday at 7 pm from Westwood High.