ORLANDO – Running-back Mario Pender was held to 64 yards rushing on 10 carries and the Island Coast Gators turned the ball over three times in a 24-14 loss to Delaware Valley (Pa.) Friday night at the Wide World of Sports complex.

The Gators had one 90-yard touchdown run nullified by a penalty in their first regular season game.

Quarterback Michael Dumas put the Gators on the board first with 5:29 left in the first quarter, bulling his way in from the 1-yard line.

On the ensuing kickoff after Delaware Valley took a 17-7 lead, Dumas hooked up with Pender on the first play from scrimmage on a 79-yard touchdown pass play. Kevin Vigne’s second PAT clipped the Pennsylvania school’s advantage to 17-14 with 5:40 to go in the third quarter.

The Gators gave up another TD on a 30-yard pass play to open the fourth quarter, falling behind by the final margin.

Besides being bottled up by the swarming defense, Pender caught two passes for a total of 84 yards, including the one TD.

Dumas was 4-of-8 passing for 104 yards with one interception.

One of the Gators’ two fumbles lost came deep in their own territory and led to a chip-shot field goal.

The Gators (0-1) goes to Estero next Friday night.

Del. Valley 0 10 7 7 – 24

Island Coast 7 0 7 0 – 14