NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The game notes for the Westminster College football team's season-opener at Allegheny College on Saturday, Sept. 1 are now online. The notes are best viewed in .pdf format by clicking here.
Game-1
WESTMINSTER COLLEGE (0-0, 0-0 PAC)
TITANS
at
ALLEGHENY COLLEGE (0-0, 0-0 NCAC)
GATORS
Saturday, September 1, 2007 -- Kickoff 1 p.m.
Frank B. Fuhrer Field (3,500/Artificial FieldTurf ) -- Meadville, Pa.
Radio: WWNW-FM 88.9 (New Wilmington), www.titanradio.net, WNGW-AM 1490 (Meadville)
TV: Westminster Cable Network (WCN)
LEAD BLOCKS
Overtime Potential
Westminster and Allegheny have been known to play close games. From 2003-05, all three games went to overtime, including a 3-0 Westminster road win in 2003, a 21-14 double-OT loss at home in 2004 and a 12-9 road win in 2005. The Titans are 3-2 all-time in overtime games. The other two were a 33-27 triple-overtime loss at Northern Michigan in 1999 and last year's 27-24 home win over Adrian in double OT.
For Openers
Westminster is looking for its first win in a season-opener since 2000 (vs. Walsh, 27-14). The Titans have not won a season-opener on the road in four tries; last time was 1997 (at West Liberty State, 46-16).
Gator Encounters
The Titans have won three of their last five meetings vs. Allegheny, despite being out-scored by an average of 15.6-12.6. Take away last year's 35-10 season-opening loss and the Titans would hold a 13.25-10.75 scoring advantage in the previous four meetings. The Titans have won their last two trips to Allegheny (2003, 2005). The last time Westminster lost at Allegheny was in 1995 (17-10).
COACHES
Jeff Hand, Westminster
Career Record 43-38
9th year .531
at Westminster 6-14
3rd year (.300)
Mark Matlak, Allegheny
Career Record 26-25
6th year (.510)
at Allegheny 26-25
6th year (.510)
WESTMINSTER VS. ALLEGHENY
SERIES PLAY
Series Started: 1899 (Westminster 16, Allegheny 6)
Series Record: Westminster leads 26-25-2
Current Win Streak: Allegheny 1 (since 2006)
Longest Westminster Win Streak: 7 (1952-55, 76-77, 84)
Longest Allegheny Win Streak: 5 (1921-25)
Largest Margin Westminster win: 76-0 in 1904
Largest Margin Allegheny win: 67-0 in 1922
Last Five Meetings: Westminster leads 3-2
2006: Allegheny 35, at Westminster 10
2005: Westminster 12, at Allegheny 9 (OT)
2004: Allegheny 21, at Westminster 14 (2OT)
2003: Westminster 3, at Allegheny 0 (OT)
2002: at Westminster 24, Allegheny 13
LAST MEETING
September 2, 2006 -- Harold Burry Stadium
ALLEGHENY 14 7 14 0 -- 35
at WESTMINSTER 0 3 0 7 -- 10
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Westminster opened the 2006 season with a 35-10 home loss against Allegheny in non-conference action. Westminster turned the ball over six times, two inducing Allegheny
touchdown drives, while the Gators protected the ball with no turnovers and outgaining the Titans 443-277 in total yardage. Freshman QB Kevin Franz was the first true freshman to start an opener for Westminster since 1967 (Dave Bierbach). Franz was 18-of-23 passing for 163 yards with one touchdown. The Titan scoring came on a 22-yard field goal by Fred Romeo to cut the Gator lead to 21-3 just before halftime, while late in the fourth quarter Westminster tacked on a touchdown when Brett Ziegler caught a 6-yard touchdown strike from Franz. Freshman RB Nick McKolosky rushed 15 times for 61 yards, while sophomore DL Neil Falco had 12 tackles. Allegheny senior QB Jimmy Savage threw for 230 yards on 16-32 passing and three touchdowns, while senior RB Mario Tarquinio rushed for 97 yards on 21 carrries and two scores.
TALE OF THE TAPE
Offense (2006)
Westminster -- Allegheny
17.5 Scoring/Game 30.3
78.9 Rushing Yards/Game 163.6
3.1 Rushing Yards/Att. 4.8
350-225-13 Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.) 333--204-8
229.5 Passing Yards/Game 250.8
308.4. Total Offense/Game 414.4
15.3 Kick Return Average 16.8
2.4 Punt Return Average 4.8
38% (45-120) 3rd Down Conversion 47% (57-121)
27:40 Time of Possession/Game 28:18
-13 Turnover Margin +10
Defense (2006)
Westminster -- Allegheny
39.8 Scoring/Game 21.7
213.9 Rushing Yards/Game 190.7
4.7 Rushing Yards/Att. 4.6
194-116-5 Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.) 258-146-15
154.7 Passing Yards/Game 165.2
368.6 Total Offense/Game 355.9
17.4 Kick Return Average 18.1 5.7 Punt Return Average 10.1
42% (50/119) 3rd Down Conversion 41% (54-132)
32:20 Time of Possession/Game 31:29
WESTMINSTER GLANCE
Westminster
Location: New Wilmington, Pa. 16172
Enrollment: 1,400
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Presidents' Athletic (PAC)
Nickname/Colors: Titans / Blue and White
Home Field: Harold Burry Stadium
Capacity/Surface: 4,500/grass
Basic Offense / Defense: Multiple Pro / 3-4
Letterwinners Back/Lost from '06: 32/9
Starters Back/Lost from '06: 18/6
2006 Record: 2-8 (1-5 PAC/t-6th)
2007 Schedule 2006 Result
9/1 - at Allegheny L/10-35
9/8 - at Saint Vincent DNP
9/15 - GENEVA DNP
9/29 - GROVE CITY L/20-21
10/6 - at Thomas More L/14-42
10/13 - WASH. & JEFF. L/7-50
10/20 - at Bethany W/49-13
10/27 - FROSTBURG STATE L/6-14
11/3 - THIEL L/27-45
11/10 - at Waynesburg L/9-21
Players to Watch
Senior WR Brett Ziegler (5-10, 180) -- 90 career receptions ranks 9th at WC
Junior LB Jordan Blinn (5-10, 200) -- 2006: 10.8 tackles/game, 24th in nation
Sophomore QB Kevin Franz (6-0, 185) -- 2006: led PAC in passing and total offense
ALLEGHENY GLANCE
Allegheny
Location: Meadville, Pa. 16335
Enrollment: 2,100
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: North Coast Athletic (NCAC)
Nickname/Colors: Gators / Blue and Gold
Home Field: Frank B. Fuhrer Field
Capacity/Surface: 3,500/FieldTurf
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple / 3-4
Letterwinners Back/Lost from '06: 54/17
Starters Back/Lost from '06: 10/14
2006 Record: 6-4 (4-3 NCAC/t-4th)
2007 Schedule 2006 Result
9/1 - WESTMINSTER W/35-10
9/15 - at Hiram W/52-7
9/22 - at Carnegie Mellon DNP
9/29 - DENSION W/23-6
10/6 - WABASH L/27-41
10/13 - at Kenyon W/49-38
10/20 - WOOSTER L/21-27
10/27 - at Ohio Wesleyan W/30-13
11/3 - WITTENBERG L/21-39
11/10 - at Oberlin W/35-14
Players to Watch
Senior WR Jim Lieb (5-9, 165) -- 2006: 48 catches, 600 yards, 4 TD
Senior P Jason Black (5-11, 175) -- 37.7 career punt avg. ranked third at AC
Senior DB Curt Anderson (6-0, 190) -- 2006: 54 tackles, First-team all-NCAC
STAT OF THE WEEK
131 -- Westminster freshmen and sophomores (none of which were returning starters in 2006) made a combined 131 starts last season. Only four first-time starters are expected to start Saturday, compared to 16 in last year's season-opener.
TITAN TIDBITS
Poll Position
The Titans were predicted to finish in seventh place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference this year according to the PAC preseason poll voted on by league coaches, media and sports information directors. Last year, the Titans were picked fifth and finished in a tie for sixth place. In 2005, the Titans were picked fourth and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place. Defending champion Washington & Jefferson is picked to win, however; the last four preseason favorites have not won the league title.
Pac-Men
Senior punter Dusty Rhodes and senior WR Brett Ziegler were honored as second-team all-PAC selections in 2006. Rhodes ranked second in the league with a 35.9-yard punting average. Ziegler caught 55 passes for 580 yards, ranking second in the league with 5.5 receptions per game. His 55 receptions tied for the third most in school history for a single season.
And The Awards Go To ...
Returning players that collected team honors last year were Brett Ziegler as team MVP, junior LB Jordan Blinn as defensive MVP, sophomore QB Kevin Franz as newcomer of the year, senior FB Josh Kutzner as special teams MVP, senior DB Eric Brown as most improved defensive player, senior WR Jason Discello as most improved offensive player, and senior LG Bryan Borkovich as the winner of the Battle of the Trenches Award (best interior lineman).
Common Opponents
Westminster scrimmaged Oberlin at home on Aug. 22. Oberlin is a conference opponent of Allegheny's that the Gators defeated last year 35-14. Allegheny also lost to PAC-champion Washington & Jefferson last year, 22-10, one week after beating Westminster, 35-10.
Harold Burry Award
Senior FB Josh Kutzner was the 2007 recipient of the Harold Burry Award. The honor is given at the conclusion of training camp each year and is voted on by team members to recognize the senior football player who best represents the "Titan Tradition" exemplified by former Titan football coach and College Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Dr. Harold Burry.
Titan Tradition
Westminster has a 73.9 winning percentage since 1952 (382-133-10), including 49 winning seasons and six national championships (NAIA 1970, '76, '77, '88, '89, and '94). Westminster also had four representatives enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. They included quarterback Harold Davis (1953-56) in the Class of 2004, coach Joe Fusco (1972-90) in the Class of 2001, lineman/linebacker Larry Pugh (1961-64) in the Class of 1998, and coach Harold Burry (1952-71) in the inaugural non-NCAA Division I Class of 1996.
Liven The Good Life
First-year Westminster tight ends coach Dave Livengood is a world champion football player. Livengood was a member of Team USA, which won the third-annual IFAF World Cup of American Football held in Kawasaki, Japan. This was the first year that USA fielded a team in the World Championships. Team USA defeated reigning champion Japan in overtime, 23-20, on July 15 in front of 10,231 fans. Livengood was a three-year starter and one-year captain on the offensive line at Indiana (Pa.) from 2002-06.
Third Time a Charm?
This is Westminster head coach Jeff Hand's third season. Typically, his third years are his best. At Benedictine during his third year (second as head coach) in 2000, the Eagles went 7-3. At Waynesburg during his third year in 2003, the Yellow Jackets won the PAC and advanced to the NCAA playoffs before finishing 9-2.
Fresh Start this Year ...
In last year's season-opener vs. Allegheny, Westminster fielded 16 first-time starters including nine on defense. This year, only four players are tabbed as first-time starters. They include freshmen Mike Kudelko at right offensive guard, Daniel Joyce at strong safety and Jeff Bever at nose tackle. Sophomore linebacker Brad Meehan saw ample playing time last year, but this will be his first start.
... Fresh Start Last Year
The 16 first-time starters in last year's game vs. Allegheny included three freshmen. They were quarterback Kevin Franz, tailback Nick McKolosky and strong safety Tyler Kelley. Franz was the first freshman QB at Westminster to start a season-opener since 1967 (Dave Bierbach) and McKolosky was the first RB since 1995 (Denny Flora).
Who's Most Experienced?
Senior punter Dusty Rhodes is the only three-year starter on the team. Senior LG Bryan Borkovich, senior LT Shane Parker and senior WR Brett Ziegler are the only two-year starters on the team. Borkovich, Rhodes and senior fullback Josh Kutzner are the only three-year lettermen on the team.
Returning Starters
Here are the 18 returning starters: The nine returning offensive starters are senior WR Brett Ziegler, senior LT Randy Sylvester, senior LG Bryan Borkovich, junior C Joe Gizoni, junior TE Jack Seifert (who started at RG last year), senior RT Shane Parker, junior WR Jordan Belosh, sophomore QB Kevin Franz and sophomore TB Nick McKolosky. The seven returning starters on defense are junior LE Andrew Robison, junior RE Matt Jaworski, junior ILB Jordan Blinn, junior OLB Scott Brucker, sophomore CB Tyler Kelley (who started at SS last year), junior free safety Jake Wilczynski and senior CB Eric Brown. The two specialists returning are senior punter Dusty Rhodes and sophomore kicker Fred Romeo.
TITANS' LAST GAME
November 11, 2006 -- Harold Burry Stadium
WAYNESBURG 0 7 0 14 -- 21
at WESTMINSTER 0 7 0 2 -- 9
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Westminster lost its 2006 season finale to Waynesburg in PAC action. The two teams were close in the total yardage as Waynesburg outgained Westminster, 275-257, but conflicted with their methods. Waynesburg rushed 52 times for 258 yards and passed just seven times for 17 yards, while Westminster was held to negative nine yards on 19 attempts while passing 38 times for 266 yards. Westminster freshman QB Kevin Franz completed 25 of 37 passes for 266 yards. However, Franz threw a season-high four interceptions and was sacked a season-high five times in the game. Freshman TB Jason Nagy scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. Waynesburg RB Ryan Abels, the school's career rushing leader playing in his final game, rushed 27 times for 222 yards, his second-best game of his career.
Radio
All Westminster football games, home and away, are carried live on WWNW-FM (88.9) in New Wilmington and live and archived on the Internet at www.titanradio.net. Calling the action will be Dr. Dave Barner on play-by-play, along with Westminster sophomore Andrew Borts as color analyst.
Television
The Westminster Cable Network (WCN) telecasts all home games live and all road games on tape-delay, with home games also being re-broadcast on Sunday nights. Games can be seen Sundays at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 9 on New Wilmington Borough Cable and Channel 10 on Comcast Cable throughout Lawrence County. Calling the action will be Westminster senior D.J. Yokley on play-by-play. Color analysts will be former Titan coaches Dr. Joe Fusco and Scott Renninger alternating home games and Westminster SID Justin Zackal at all away games.
Media Contact
Justin Zackal, Sports Information Director
319 S. Market Street / 102 Old Main
New Wilmington, PA 16172-0001
Email: zackaljw@westminster.edu
Phone: 724-946-6357 (Office), 724-998-3504 (Cell)
Office Fax: 724-946-7187
Home Press Box Phone: 724-946-7004
Titan Sports Hotline: 724-946-7065
Website: www.westminster.edu/athletics
About Westminster College ...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 366 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a "Character Building College."
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus.
