COLLEGE PREVIEW Saturday's games

BLUFFTON vs. HIRAM
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Charles A. Henry Field, Hiram.
Last year: Bluffton 45, Hiram 0.
Scouting report: Hiram is seeking to bounce back from a 68-20 loss to Grove City last week, while Bluffton is opening its season. Hiram was out-gained in total yards by Grove City, 465-231, including by 337-7 in rushing. However, the Terriers passed for 224 yards, nearly 100 more than the Wolverines; and had their most prolific scoring day since 2001. Hiram is looking for its first win since Oct. 13, 2001, when the Terriers defeated longtime rival Oberlin College, 24-17, on Homecoming. Following that game the Terriers went winless over the final five games of 2001 before posting last year's 0-10 record. Bluffton is hoping to regroup this year after losing five of their last six games last season, including the final two.
GROVE CITY vs. CARNEGIE MELLON
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Gesling Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Last year: Carnegie-Mellon 9, Grove City 6, OT
Scouting report: Grove City is coming off a 68-20 romp over Hiram last week, while Carnegie Mellon won over Bethany, 38-24. Grove City has lost two years in a row to Carnegie Mellon. The Wolverines never have won at Gesling Stadium, which was built in 1990. Grove City's last win over the Tartans was in 1986 on the road, 25-22. The last three games between the two teams have been close, decided by a total of 10 points.
ALLEGHENYvs. WASHINGTON & amp; JEFFERSON
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Cameron Stadium, Washington, Pa.
Last year: Allegheny 28, W & amp;J 25.
Scouting report: Allegheny lost its opener last week to Baldwin-Wallace, 45-26, while W & amp;J was idle. Allegheny was limited to only 124 yards of total offense, but the Gators created eight turnovers. Allegheny and W & amp;J will be meeting for the 40th time. It will be the first home night game in W & amp;J history.
GANNON vs. SLIPPERY ROCK
When: 7 p.m.
Where: DiSpirito Field at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, Slippery Rock, Pa.
Last year: Slippery Rock 17, Gannon 14.
Scouting report: Slippery Rock is seeking to regroup from a 45-12 loss to Youngstown State last Saturday. The Rock will be playing in its first-ever night football game at N. Kerr Thompson Stadium. The contest also will be the inaugural event on the new AstroPlay artificial turf playing surface. There will be a halftime fireworks display. 7 Also, a moment of silence will be observed in memory of the late Jim McElhaney, a former All-America wide receiver for SRU in the early 1960s who served 14 seasons (1988-2002) as The Rock's wide receivers coach. Gannon is coming off a 53-20 win over St. Francis (Pa.), after losing its opener to Wayne State, 38-21. Junior QB Darmel Whitfield was named Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Week for his play against St. Francis. He also was named Independent Football Alliance Offensive Player of the Week. Whitfield had 347 of Gannon's 533 yards of total offense against St. Francis, including 217 passing on 12-of-20 and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
GENEVA vs. LASALLE
When: 1 p.m.
Where: McCarthy Stadium, Philadelphia, Pa.
Last year: Did not play.
Scouting report: Geneva will be in its season opener. LaSalle lost its season opener last week at Wagner, 10-6. Junior running back Ken Triboletti rushed for 203 yards for the Explorers, including a 62-yard touchdown run. But penalties totaling 104 yards proved to be costly.
WALSH vs. WEST LIBERTY STATE
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Russek Stadium, West Liberty, W. Va.
Last year: Walsh 27, West Liberty 6.
Scouting report: Last week, Walsh opened its season with a 43-20 romp past Westminster, while West Liberty also made its debut in a 41-38 loss to Virginia-Wise. Walsh holds a 3-2 edge in the series with West Liberty. Senior tailback Derek Besgrove rushed for 187 yards and scored three touchdowns against Westminster, while quarterback Dan Kane passed for 132 yards and two TDs. Besgrove went over the 100-yard mark for the 21st time in his career, and now has 4,144 career yards. He needs 524 yards to become the Cavaliers' all-time rushing leader. He also has 52 career TDs. West Liberty's leaders against Virginia-Wise were Bo White with 152 yards rushing in 19 carries, and quarterback Jay Gullion who passed for three TDs.
--Vindicator staff reports