ALTOONA — Less than 10 minutes into the game, Butler trailed 21-0 and was without a first down.

“I think we got caught looking at the bright lights too much,” first-year Golden Tornado coach Rob Densmore admitted.

Once Butler set its eyes on Altoona, it battled the Mountain Lions on virtually even terms in a 28-10 season-opening Class AAAA football loss at Mansion Park Stadium.

“That start just killed us,” Densmore said. “We're not designed to come back from that. What I liked about tonight was our kids never quit.

“We got caught in a bad stunt up front on their first touchdown, but mistakes are correctable. You can't correct quitting.”

Altoona entered the game having won only eight times in the previous five years. But after forcing a three-and-out from Butler to open the game, the Mountain Lions scored on their second play from scrimmage.

Fullback Kevin Givens — headed to Pitt next year as a defensive player — caught a flare pass from quarterback Devin Miller and scooted 65 yards down the right sideline for the game's first score.

Butler's first six offensive series — all ending in punts — resulted in minus 31 yards. Sean Steave's 10-yard return of a short punt set up Miller's 16-yard touchdown pass to Luke Adams on a 3rd-and-5 play with 5:06 left in the first quarter.

A 9-yard punt gave the Mountain Lions possession at the Tornado 29. A 27-yard pass to Steave on first down set up Eli Mencer's 2-yard scoring run and the hosts had a 21-0 lead with 2:41 remaining in the first frame.

“We made some plays on special teams and those early passes worked out for us,” Altoona coach John Franco said. “That quick start gave us a tremendous advantage tonight.

“I like what their coach is doing over there. He's laying a foundation. I mean, we really jumped on them, but they maintained their composure.”

Butler's Jeremy Hanford intercepted a pass early in the third quarter and returned it 10 yards to the Altoona 18. The offense couldn't move it from there, but Devin Fitz got the Tornado on the board with a 32-yard field gioal.

Altoona's Eli Mencer had 15 carries for 98 yards and two touchdowns before leavng the game with an injury late in the third quarter. Miller threw for 155 yards and two scores.

“They (Altoona) made some plays and deserve credit for that, but our defense gave up some plays early that really hurt us,” Densmore said. “When your offense is struggling, the defense has to hold you in.”

Shad Stepp replaced a struggling Jamison Smith at quarterback late in the second half. Damian Pickett led the Tornado offensively with 10 carries for 75 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown burst in the fourth quarter.

Smith was sacked six times in the first half, four times by senior defensive end Jake Scheinberg. Givens was well into double-digits in tackles for the Mountain Lions.

“That No. 7 (Givens) is the real deal, for sure,” Densmore said.

“I thought we got a little complacent after building that early lead and we can't afford to be complacent agaijst anyone,” Franco said. “You definitely can't be complacent agaionst tough kids and Butler has tough kids.”

James Metzgar was wide left on field goal tries of 35 and 27 yards for Altoona. The latter miss came shortly after Kelly Kuharic muffed a fourth-quarter punt that the Mountain Lions recovered in Tornado territory.

The play was Butler's lone turnover of the night. The Tornado were penalized only twice all evening.

“Right after that punt, Kelly came to the sidelines, walked over to me, apologized and said that play was unacceptable,” Densmore said. “We're preaching accountability and that kid showed some right there.

“I saw a lot of positive things out there tonight. Obviously, I'm upset we lost because you never want to lose. But I like this team.”