It may have been only a scrimmage, but the football team came out with the guns blazing against the Union College Dutchmen.

A year after defeating Union 36–14 in a pre-season exhibition, the Bulldogs upped the anteSaturday, trouncing the Dutchmen 50–0 at the Yale Bowl. Division III Union, which had gone 8–3 last year, was outmatched on both sides of the ball and could only musterone first down in the first half.

“Our offense was hitting it off and the defense didn’t give up anything,” cornerback Chris Stanley ’11 said. “It began with the starters who set the dominative tone that became contagious and spread through the young guys, and at that point it was written.”

After missing most of last season due to an injury, wide receiver Gio Christodoulou ’11 wasin fine form, catching the Bulldogs’ first touchdown and returning two punts for a total of 68 yards. Fellow kick returner Chris Smith ’13 also dazzled with a 62-yard kick return for a touchdown.

“Coach Williams puts a lot of emphasis on the kicking game,” Christodoulousaid. “That’s one of the areas where we’re going to have an advantage over our opponents this year. A lot of the guys in the kicking game take it very seriously, and I’m glad to see that we got some good results out of it.”

After finding Christodouloufor the early 19-yard score, starting quarterback Patrick Witt ’12 increased the Eli lead on the next drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Sandquist ’14. Wittcompleted seven of his nine passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns.

Saturday also marked the debut of a pair of freshmen quarterbacks who drew notice for their performances. John Whitelaw ’14 completed nine of his 13 throws for 107 yards and a touchdown, while Henry Furman ’14 went fourforfive on the day.

“We have a really strong freshman class this year,” Christodoulou said. “The good thing to see about them is that they are hungry to play. As a veteran, it makes you work harder.”

Playing for the first time since losing its core of linebackers to graduation, the Yale defense was able to shut down the Dutchmen and record six sacks.

Defensive back John Powers ’13 and linebacker Brian Leffler ’13 each intercepted a pass, while defensive back Chris Stanley ’11 blocked a punt for a safety.

Stanley said that teammates Marcus Wallace ’11 and John Pagliaro ’11 alertedhim that they would create an opening for him on the play.

“When the ball snapped, I came out of the woodwork and through a gap you could have sailed a boat through,” Stanley said. “I was as free as the wind as I placed my hand at the block point and lightning struck.”

Defensive end and captain Tom McCarthy ’11 sat out the game with a leg injury but expects to be back in time for the regular season opener against Georgetown on Sept. 18.