Blocked Extra Point Foils Titans' Comeback at Waynesburg
WAYNESBURG, Pa. - Waynesburg blocked the would-be, game-tying
extra point kick with 38 seconds left as the Westminster College
football team lost a cliffhanger, 24-23, at Waynesburg Saturday in
a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game.
The Titans fall to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in the PAC, while the
Yellow Jackets improve to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Westminster came back from a 24-14 deficit when junior kicker
Trevor Young kicked a 35-yard field goal, capping
off a 14-play drive with 3:03 remaining.
The Titan defense stuffed Waynesburg for a three-and-out on the
Yellow Jackets' ensuing possession, which included Westminster
sophomore defensive end Aaron Nauer sacking
Waynesburg quarterback Brad Dawson on a second-down play to the
Waynesburg 14-yard line.
After Westminster received a punt, the Titans drove 51 yards on six
plays and scored with 38 seconds left when junior quarterback
Shawn Lehocky threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to
sophomore receiver Geno Pasquinelli in the corner
of the end zone.
Waynesburg's Bryan Gary was credited for blocking Young's extra
point kick that would have tied the game.
Both teams posted 18 first downs apiece and Westminster edged
Waynesburg in total yards, 330-320, but a lopsided difference came
on third down as the Titans were 1 of 12 on third-conversions
compared to Waynesburg at 6 of 14.
Lehocky completed 14 of 25 passes for 165 yards with two touchdowns
and two interceptions. He also rushed 19 times for 69 yards.
Pasquinelli caught eight passes for 92 yards and a career-high two
touchdowns as the Titans' leading receiver. He also snared a
26-yard touchdown pass from Lehocky to cut Waynesburg's lead to
17-14 late in the third quarter.
Dawson gave the Jackets a 24-14 lead when he connected with Adam
Moses for a 5-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth
quarter.
Dawson finished the game 17-of-29 passing for 178 yards with a
touchdown and an interception. He also led Waynesburg in rushing
with four totes for 37 yards.
The game started with Westminster freshman running back
Tyler Banks capping off an eight-play, 57-yard
drive with a 24-yard touchdown scamper when the Titans elected to
go for it on fourth down. Banks, who was making his first career
start, rushed 20 times for 95 yards and a touchdown.
After Westminster led 7-0 with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter,
Waynesburg scored three times to end the half: a pair of 2-yard
touchdown runs by Dominic Moore and Bertrand Ngampa, followed by a
31-yard field goal by Jon Storck as time expired in the first
half.
Sophomore defensive back J.J. Nalesnik, who made
his first career start, led the Titans with eight tackles. Nathan
Harr paced the Jacket defense with nine stops.
Westminster hosts Thiel for the first-ever home night game in
Westminster history Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
