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 0-4 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 (Ellwood City, Pa./Riverside) 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 (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler) 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 (Conway, Pa./Freedom) threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Geno Pasquinelli (Salem, Ohio/Salem) 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 (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) 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 (Darlington, Pa./Blackhawk), 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.
About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top tier liberal arts college, a national leader in graduation rate performance, and a "Great School, Great Price," according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster ranked 38th among liberal arts colleges, 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 373 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. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.
