NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - The Westminster College football team lost its season opener against Heidelberg, 42-26, snapping the Titans' seven-game home streak, their longest streak since 1994.
The Titans (0-1) led by as many as 10 points at 17-7 and 17-14 at halftime, before Heidelberg quarterback Andrew Miller threw a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes to Mike Preston for 61 and 71 yards, respectively, to give the Student Princes (1-0) a 28-17 lead with 1:09 remaining in the third quarter. Westminster whittled the lead down to eight points but could not threaten any further.
Westminster senior wide receiver Chad Rosatelli (Hopewell, Pa./Clinton) tied the school record for receptions in a game as he snared 13 balls for 122 yards. His 13 catches ties Brett Ziegler (at Thiel in 2006) and Brian Ekis (at Thomas More in 2003).
Senior tight end Gary Hutsler (Coraopolis, Pa./Cornell) also caught seven passes for 87 yards to become Westminster's all-time leader for receptions by a tight end with 56.
The Titans outgained the Student Princes, 406-294, and held a 27-11 advantage on first downs. Westminster piled up 309 passing yards from senior quarterback Kevin Franz (Finleyville, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), who completed 27 of 46 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore quarterback Shawn Lehocky (Conway, Pa./Freedom), who threw for 41 yards on 5-8 passing, while also rushing eight times for 23 yards.
Westminster rushed for 97 yards led by freshman tailback Logan Belinda (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa../State College), who ran eight times for 28 yards and 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that gave Westminster the 17-7 lead after a 10-play, 53-yard drive.
Sophomore tailback Mike Himes (Parker, Pa./Allegheny Clarion Valley), who rushed 14 times for 25 yards, started the game in place of senior Nick McKolosky (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont Hilltop), who dressed for the game but did not play because of an injury.
Westminster led 3-0 through the first quarter after sophomore kicker Trevor Young (Ellwood City, Pa./Riverside) connected on a 30-yard field goal. Young tied a career high with two field goals during the game.
The Titans seemed to be driving for a second-quarter score to the ‘Berg 26-yard line when Franz was sacked by Sam Driscoll, forcing a fumble that Justin Dawson picked up and returned 60 yards for a touchdown to give ‘Berg a 7-3 lead.
Westminster answered on its next drive when Franz threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior Jon Gubish (Pittsburgh, Pa./Northgate). Gubish caught a career-high two touchdown passes in the game and finished with four snares for 53 yards. He also hauled in a 7-yard pass from Franz in the fourth quarter that cut ‘Berg's lead to 35-26.
After Belinda's touchdown gave Westminster a 17-7 lead, Heidelberg scored the game's next three touchdowns.
Before Preston's two long touchdown receptions in the third quarter, Kenny Sims caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Miller to cut Westminster's lead to 17-14.
Preston finished with four catches for 147 yards, while Miller finished the game with 11-of-19 passing for 235 and three touchdowns. Miller also threw two interceptions, snatched by sophomore Jordon Rooney (New Castle, Pa./Union), the first of his career, and senior Mario Camerota (Cheswick, Pa./Springdale), the fourth of his career.
After Young's second field goal of the game, a 31-yarder with 11:27 remaining in the game that cut the deficit to 28-20, Young's ensuing kickoff was returned 85 yards for a touchdown by return man Matt Wilde that gave Heidelberg a sound 35-20 lead.
Jemar Lewis led ‘Berg's 59-yard rushing attack with eight carries for 52 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown run to seal the win.
Sophomore linebacker Zachery Boyd (Alexandria, Pa./Juniata Valley) led the Titans with six tackles. Wayne Glisson paced the ‘Berg with 17 stops, followed by Jared Ruffin with 13.
Westminster returns to action at Allegheny on Saturday, Sept. 12 for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) Pittsburgh.
About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges. Westminster ranked third among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 371 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.
Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 41 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus.
