WESTMINSTER vs. CARNEGIE MELLON GAME NOTES

SERIES HISTORY

Westminster leads the all-time series – dating back to Aug. 31, 1907 – by an aggregate 21-18-1 margin (20-13-1 in New Wilmington). The programs have split 8 conference contests and their last 10 meetings overall.

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic the Titans and Tartans tussled twice in 2021, with Westminster winning (32-22) on April 16, before CMU collected a victory on Oct. 9 (34-10) at Gesling Stadium in Pittsburgh.

In the latter meeting Carnegie Mellon's Ben Mills mustered 168 yards passing, 63 of which was hauled in by Kris Hughes. Westminster's Cole Konieczka passed for 261 yards and a TD in the loss.

Westminster went 8-1 in the PAC last Fall (8-3 overall) to tie for the title after its 5-0 ledger during the abbreviated Spring 2021 slate in which it copped the conference crown.

The Titans concluded the campaign with an appearance in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Asa Bushnell Bowl, losing to Hobart (21-3).

BYE THE BYE

Following its win in New Wilmington over Allegheny (42-14) in the PAC opener, Westminster is coming off a bye week. Titans' taskmaster Scott Benzel (9th season, 58-25, 70%) and his teams have fared well in that scenario.

A year ago following a season-opening setback to perennial power University of Mount Union (48-7) Westminster won over Case Western Reserve (34-12) in Cleveland.

Other recent bye week outcomes for Westminster include: Nov. 9, 2019, a loss at Carnegie Mellon (20-14); Nov. 3, 2018, a win over CMU in New Wilmington (23-19); Sept. 23, 2017, a home-field win over Bethany (41-14); Sept. 24, 2016, a win at Bethany, W. Va. (38-9); Oct. 31, 2015, a win in New Wilmington over St. Vincent (39-14); Nov. 1, 2014, a victory in Latrobe over St. Vincent (28-14), and Sept. 21, 2013, a home-field setback to Thomas More (31-0).

TOP TWO

According to the latest PAC statistical report, Westminster (13.0) and Carnegie Mellon (15.8) rank 1-2 in points-per-game permitted; however the Titans are yielding just 225.3 yards/game compared with CMU's 355.0 norm. 

Senior standout end Brayden Thimons (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands High) has tallied a team-high 18 tackles (1 quarterback sack) for the TItans, and his classmate, Luca Botti (Ellwood City, Pa./Ellwood City High) has contributed 3 passes defended and a pair of picks.

The Tartans' top tacklers include 2-time Player of the Week Ben Coyne, who paces the PAC in sacks (7, among his 8 tackles-for-loss); Adrian Williams (33 tackles, including 26 solos); Robert Coury (30 tackles, 3 sacks), and Thomas Coury (29 tackles, 1.5 sacks). Also, Benjamin Cawyer and Logan Young have evenly divided 4 interceptions. 

Thomas Coury and Casey Jaeb have been honored as PAC Special Teams players of the week each of the past 2 weeks. In last week's win at Thiel College's Alumni Stadium (35-6) Thomas Coury's blocked punt set up teammate Kevin Cooke's return for the game's initial score. Coury concluded with 6 tackles.

PLENTY OF PROWESS

The Titans are averaging 30.7 ppg. and 356.7 ypg., while the Tartans tally 30 points and 298.5 yards/game.

Westminster's Konieczka (Coraopolis, Pa./Moon Area High) has orchestrated the offense, completing 54 of 99 pass attempts (54.5%) for 581 yards, 6 TDs and an efficiency rating of 117.8. Senior Ryan Gomes (Tampa, Fla./Walter L. Sickles High) is the PAC's 2nd-ranked rusher (behind Waynesburg's Justin Flack) with 311 yards on 51 carries (6.1) and 2 TDs – an average of 103.7 yards/game. Junior Tylon Eilam (Sharon, Pa./Sharon High) has been Konieczka's top target with 12 catches for 193 yards (16.1) and a trio of TDs. Sophomore Jalen Washington (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips High) is next with 10 receptions for 136 yards (13.6) and 2 TDs.

As the PAC's 4th-leading passer, CMU's Mills has mustered 48 of 99 attempts (48.5%) for 807 yards, 5 TDs and an efficiency rating of 127.6. His top targets have been Hughes (15-302., 20.1 yards/catch, 3 TDs) and Ben Condemi (13-367, 20.5, 1 TD) – the PAC's 3rd- and 6th-rated receivers.

In the Tartans' season-opening success over Whitworth University (35-7) Mills and Hughes collaborated on a 99-yard TD toss to highlight 1st-year Head Coach Ryan Larsen's successful debut.