Titans picked third in preseason coaches' poll

8/6/2025 5:35:00 PM

LATROBE, Pa.--The Westminster College football program was picked to finish third in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) in 2025. The results of the league's annual preseason poll, voted on by PAC head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media, were announced Tuesday afternoon at PAC Football Media Day, hosted by Saint Vincent College for the 18th-straight year.

The yearly event serves as the PAC's kickoff to the upcoming football season, with player representatives and head coaches from each of the conference's 11 programs speaking to the media and attendees and previewing the upcoming season. John Sacco, an award-winning journalist, was honored as this year's recipient of the Dow Carnahan Media Award.

Westminster and 12th-year head coach Scott Benzel totaled 12 first-place votes and 400 points in the preseason poll. Joining Benzel in Latrobe on Wednesday was senior linebacker Dylan Sleva (McDonald, Pa., Moon). A Second Team All-PAC selection in 2024, Sleva finished with 105 total tackles (61 solo), 3.0 sacks, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. He recorded career-high 16 tackles in Westminster's 27-13 Opendorse Bowl Series Extra Points Bowl victory over Marietta last November. Sleva appeared and started in all 11 games last season.

"I am proud to have Dylan represent Westminster today," said Benzel. " He embodies the work ethic and leadership that we need on a very experienced defense--he's hard nosed and he's accountable. He is a great leader for us on and off the field."

Washington & Jefferson College, one of three PAC champions last year, was selected to win the 2025 title after receiving 17 first-place votes and 431 points. Grove City College, also last year's conference champions, finished second with 13 first-place votes and 413 points. Case Western Reserve University was fourth with 347 points while Geneva College was fifth with 267 points.

Joining Sleva on the league's players to watch list were senior quarterback Ty McGowan (Moon Township, Pa., Moon), junior offensive lineman Braden Mika (Vandergrift, Pa., Kiski), sophomore defensive back Lamont Austin (Sharon, Pa., Sharon) and sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Brite Cannon (Parkland, Fla., Monarch).

The Titans finished the 2024 season 8-3 overall. Westminster opens its season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 4 against Marietta at Memorial Field inside Harold Burry Stadium. Conference play begins September 20 at Case Western Reserve. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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