From Carnegie Mellon University Athletics
On a chilly Saturday afternoon a school record was broken,
as the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans (2-2, 2-2) defeated the
Westminster College Titans (0-5, 0-3), 27-24, in Presidents'
Athletic Association (PAC) play. Freshman
placekicker Tyler Kohman (Pataskala,
Ohio/Columbus Academy) connected on a 50-yard field goal that
bounced off the crossbar to lift the Tartans to victory.
Carnegie Mellon's stellar defense carried over to this week
as an early interception by junior Nico
Comsa (Connellsville, Pa/ Connellsville Area) resulted
in an early touchdown with 10:47 left in the first quarter. The
score remained 7-0 until one minute left in the half, when the
Titans got on board with a 25-yard field goal from Justin
Dahl.
The Titans took the lead with 10:44 left in the third quarter
as Paul Columbo connected with Taran Sifontes-Lavine on a 51-yard
catch and run. However, the Titan's extra point sailed left and
kept the score 9-7.
The Tartans capitalized on a 68-yard quick-kick punt return
by freshmen Drew Fitzmorris (Omaha,
Neb./Westside) that set Carnegie Mellon up on the Westminster
20-yard line. Eight plays later the Tartans settled for 20-yard
field by Kohman to regain the lead 10-9.
With just less than four minutes to play in the third
quarter, the Titans retook the lead with a touchdown by John Jones.
The visitors went for two and converted the two-point attempt as
Columbo found Khurazze Williams with a dump pass down the
middle.
On the ensuing kickoff, freshman Sam
Benger (Hingham, Mass./Hingham) had a 53-yard return
that led to a five-yard rushing touchdown by
sophomore Zach Cree (Vanderbilt,
Pa./Connellsville Area). Cree's score knotted the game at
17-17 as the third quarter came to a close.
With 5:24 remaining in the contest, Columbo tossed his third
touchdown of the afternoon as he found Xavier Eubanks from 19 yards
out giving the visitor's a 24-17 lead.
The Tartans tied the score at 24-24 with 43 seconds left in
the fourth quarter when junior Andrew
Hearon (Tulsa, Okla./Metro Christian Academy) found
senior Hayden Cardiff (Thibodaux,
La/Savannah Christian Prep (Nicholls State)) in the corner of the
end zone on a 10-yard scoring play.
Westminster's attempt to march down field in the closing
minute was stopped when Tartan juniorRyan
Aitken (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) intercepted the
ball with 27 seconds left in the game setting the Tartans up on
their own 47-yard line. After four plays and 20 yards,
including a 15-yard personal foul penalty by the Westminster on the
last play of regulation that allowed for an untimed down, Kohman's
school-record kick hit the crossbar and bounced over for the Tartan
victory.
For the second straight game, Carnegie Mellon won the
turnover battle, forcing three takeaways to the Titans' two. Cree
ended the game tying a career-high with 67 yards rushing and one
touchdown. Fitzmorris, along with Comsa, led the Cardinal and
Gray defense with 10 tackles apiece. Fitzmorris recorded his
first career sack for a loss of eight yards while Comsa added a
half sack and tallied two pass breakups including his interception
return for a touchdown. Aitken also finished with an
interception and two pass breakups while recording nine tackles
including tying a career-best six solo.
Columbo ended the game passing for 238 yards and three
touchdowns. Williams led the Titans with four receptions for
60 yards and added a two-point conversion in the setback.
Dominique McKinley led the rushing attack for Westminster with 120
yards on 30 carries.