ALFRED, N.Y. – The Thiel College football team opened the 2018 season on Saturday with a nonconference loss 44-16 against Alfred University.
 
The Saxons wasted little time on their first possession to take an early lead.  Quarterback Ben Burk hit Robert Smith on a 12-yard strike to make 7-0 after a successful point after attempt. Alfred led 7-0 with 10:29 in the first.
 
Thiel picked up two points on a safety as a three and out forced by the Tomcat defense resulted in a Saxon fourth down punt attempt. On the play, a high snap went over Alfred's Ben Sennett's head and out of the end zone giving Thiel their first points of the game. Alfred led 7-2 with 6:16 left in the first.
 
Well the Tomcat offense sputtered in the first half the Saxons were just finding their rhythm on the ground in the second quarter. Saxon running back Nasir Smith ripped off three touchdown runs in the second. Smith went on to collect 144 yards rushing on the day on top of his three scores. Alfred cemented a 28-2 lead going into half.
 
The Tomcat offense came to life in the second half as quarterback Marko Bakovic (Stockholm, N.J./Wallkill Valley) threw two touchdowns in the half. Bakovic's first was on a crossing pattern to sophomore running back Charles Debose (Buffalo, N.Y./Cardinal O'Hara). Bakovic's second score was a on a 27-yard jump ball to freshman wide receiver Fred Davis (Tampa, Fla./Middleton). Bakovic finished the day 22 of 44 for 188 yards and two scores.
 
Thiel was unable to capitalize on a late red zone visit late in the fourth and would go on to fall to Alfred 44-16.
 
Defensively, senior linebacker Grant Milne (Portville, N.Y./Portville Central) led the Tomcats. Milne collected 10 tackles, three of which were tackles for loss. Milne also caused a fumble on special teams. Senior linebacker Dusty Maines (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield) collected 11 tackles and a sack on the day. Senior Cody Wagner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) racked up nine tackles, one of which was for a loss.
 
On special teams, Dylan Kleckner (New Castle, Pa./Shenango) handed both the kicking and punting responsibilities, Kleckner went 2/2 on PAT's as well as averaging 39.1 yards on his eight punts on the day.
 
This was the first Thiel's first meeting with the former Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) member since 2007.  Alfred leads the all-time series 11-4.
 
The Tomcats now fall to 0-1 on the young season and will begin conference play Saturday.
 
Thiel will travel to defending 2017 PAC co-champion Washington and Jefferson College on Saturday, September 8^th at W&J's Cameron Stadium; kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.