CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Westminster football team opened their Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) schedule with a 34-12 win over Case Western on the road Saturday night.
Westminster's defense had All-Region senior quarterback Drew Saxton under duress all night, picking off five passes – a career-high for Saxton. First-year Brice Butler (Farrell, PA / Farrell) tied a school-record with three interceptions, including a highlight-reel 100-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter ending any kind of threat from the Spartans. Buter's three picks tied a program record, while becoming the first Titan to achieve the feat since Don Augustine in 2000 vs. Bethany. Butler is also the first Titan to return an interception for 100 yards for a touchdown since Aaron Pierce did it in 2019 at Washington & Jefferson.
Case Western (2-1, 1-1 PAC) took an early 6-0 lead (missed the extra point) on the opening drive of the game, which proved to be the only points in the first quarter. Buter's first interception set up Westminster's first scoring drive in the second quarter as the Titans mustered a 10-play, 77-yard drive, capped off with a 3-yard rushing touchdown by senior Frank Antuono (New Castle, PA / Neshannock). The extra point by junior Joshua Byers (Pittsburgh, PA / Canon McMillan) put the Titans in front, 7-6, with 12:17 to go in the first half. Westminster's defense forced a Case Western three-and-out and Titan junior Jarred Kohl (York, Pa / York Catholic) blocked the punt (the Titans' second blocked punt on the night) which was recovered by Antuono as the Spartans' 12-yard line. Three plays later Antuono touched the ball again, this time for a five-yard rushing touchdown (tying a career-best) and the Titans extended their lead to 14-6 with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
On its ensuing possession, Case Western scored on a 11-yard touchdown throw from Saxton to Lucas DeCaro. However, the extra point failed again, and Westminster led by two, 14-12, with 2:46 to play in the half. The Titans kept their foot on the gas, answering with a 26-yard touchdown pass from senior Cole Konieczka (Coraopolis, PA / Moon Area) to classmate Denny Dennison (Windson, PA / Red Lion Area) - Dennison's first career touchdown reception. The Titan defense stopped the Spartans on the next drive and Westminster went into halftime with a 21-12 lead.
The Titan defense continued to create havoc in the second half, ending Case Western's first two drives with an interception. The Spartans were driving on their first possession of the fourth quarter until Butler picked off Saxton right on the endzone line and took it to the house for the dagger. First-year Kevin Wright (West Palm Beach, FL / Seminole Ridge) got in on the pick-party, ending Case Western's next drive. Westminster added icing on the cake late in the fourth when Konieczka found junior Chevy Dawson (Port St. Lucie, FL / Centennial) for a 47-yard touchdown (Dawson's career-long).
Konieczka finished 13-of-24 with 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. First-year Jalen Washington (Orlando, FL / Dr. Phillips) led the Titan receivers with five catches for 102 yards. Senior Ian Barr (State College, PA / State College Area) led the Titan defense with a career-high 14 tackles. Seniors Brayden Thimons (Natrona Heights, PA / Highlands) and Bryce Thomas (Saint Marys, GA / Camden County) added nine tackles each. Thimons registered 4.0 tackles for a loss, including 2.5 sacks – both game-highs. Thomas added an interception. Westminster's five total interceptions tied a school-record since becoming NCAA Division III members. The win marked the Titans' first-ever over Case Western in five meetings.
The Titans (1-1, 1-0 PAC) are back on the field against PAC foe Grove City at home Saturday, September 25 at 1 p.m. WKBN will have the broadcast as its Game of the Week.
Written by Nathan LaRiccia | Photo by Jason Kapusta