NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Wes Hostetler ran back a pair of punts for touchdowns and posted 243 total yards in kick and punt returns today, as he led the Ohio Northern Polar Bears (1-0) to a 48-3 football win over the Westminster Titans (0-1) in the season opener for both teams at Harold Burry Stadium. ONU is a consensus preseason Top 10 team in Division III football, as the Polar Bears are ranked #5 by d3football.com, #8 by Street & Smith's and Sports Illustrated, and #9 by Lindy's.

ONU controlled the game from the outset, as the Polar Bears marched 80 yards on eight plays on their first possession capped by a three-yard pass from Adam Quirk to Tarry Summers for a 7-0 lead. A one-yard dive by R.J. Meadows put Northern on top 14-0 after one quarter.

In the second period, Hostetler broke free for an 83-yard punt return to put ONU up 21-0. The lead stretched 28-0 at halftime after Quirk found Ross Porter for a score from 16 yards out.

Quirk opened the second half scoring with a six-yard scoring run to build the advantage to 35-0, then found Brian Lee for a 13-yard scoring pass. The extra point was missed, leaving the score at 41-0. The Polar Bears completed their scoring late in the third period, as Hostetler scored again on a punt return, this time from 79 yards out.

Westminster posted its only points in the fourth quarter, as a 33-yard field goal by senior kicker Chris Castillo (Austintown, OH/Austintown Fitch H.S.) capped an 11-play, 39-yard drive.

Ohio Northern held a 369-149 advantage in total yardage in the contest, while the ONU defense posted six quarterback sacks. Quirk was 12-of-20 passing for 186 yards and three scores.

For Westminster, senior tailback Sean Buggey (Homer City/Homer-Center H.S.) led the way offensively with 18 carries for 70 yards, while freshman Eddie Williams (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S.) added 13 carries for 38 yards. Junior quarterback J.R. Barley (Beaver Falls/Blackhawk H.S.) was 10-of-23 passing for 76 yards.

Defensively for the Titans, senior defensive back Tanner Larson (Coraopolis/West Allegheny H.S.) posted a team-high eight tackles and a fumble recovery. Junior defensive back Joey Tissler (Ventura, CA/St. Bonaventure H.S.) and senior linebacker Jerry Bonenberger (Pittsburgh/Mount Lebanon H.S.) each added seven tackles, with Tissler posting two pass breakups and Bonenberger breaking up one. Senior linebacker Mike Turovsky (Garfield Heights, OH/Garfield Heights H.S.) and freshman defensive end Neil Falco (Pleasantville/Titusville H.S.) each recorded sacks in the loss.

Westminster football returns to action next Saturday, September 10, as the Titans travel to Meadville for a non-conference game at local rival Allegheny College beginning at 1 p.m.

TOP TITAN PERFORMERS

Offense

*Senior RB Sean Buggey (Homer City/Homer-Center H.S.)  18 rushes for 70 yards, long of 19; 2 receptions for 15 yards, long of 8

*Freshman RB Eddie Williams (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary H.S.) - 13 rushes for 38 yards, long of 12

*Sophomore QB J.R. Barley (Beaver Falls/Blackhawk H.S.)  10-23-1 passing for 76 yards

*Sophomore WR Brett Ziegler (Somerset/Somerset H.S.)  2 receptions for 26 yards, long of 14

*Freshman WR Jordan Belosh (Edinboro/General McLane H.S.)  2 receptions for 16 yards, long of 11

Defense

*Senior DB Tanner Larson (Coraopolis/West Allegheny H.S.)  8 tackles (3 solo, 5 assisted), 1 fumble recovery

*Senior LB Jerry Bonenberger (Pittsburgh/Mount Lebanon H.S.)  7 tackles (3 solo, 4 assisted), 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup

*Junior DB Joey Tissler (Ventura, CA/St. Bonaventure H.S.)  7 tackles (3 solo, 4 assisted), 2 pass breakups

*Senior LB Mike Turovsky (Garfield Heights, OH/Garfield Heights H.S.) - 5 tackles (2 solo, 3assisted), 1 tackle for losses, 1 QB sack

*Senior DE Adam Hadbavny (Westmoreland City/Norwin H.S.) - 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 assisted), 1 forced fumble

Special Teams

*Sophomore P Dusty Rhodes (Niles, OH/Niles McKinley H.S.) - 7 punts for 257 yards (36.7 avg.), long of 51, 1 inside 20

*Senior K Chris Castillo (Austintown, OH/Austintown Fitch H.S.) - 1-1 field goal attempts (33)

*Senior RB Sean Buggey (Homer City/Homer-Center H.S.)  5 kick returns for 90 yards, long of 30

*Freshman DB Matt Tynal (Youngstown, OH/Ursuline H.S.) - 2 kick returns for 33 yards, long of 17