(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – 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 connected on a 50-yard field goal
that bounced off the cross bar to lift the Tartans to victory.
Carnegie Mellon's stellar defense carried over to this week as an
early interception by junior Nico Comsa 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.
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| Tyler Kohman's kick hits the crossbar and goes over. |
The Tartans capitalized on a 68-yard quick-kick punt return by
freshmen Drew Fitzmorris 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 had a 53-yard return
that led to a five-yard rushing touchdown by sophomore Zach
Cree. 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 found senior Hayden
Cardiff in the corner of the end zone on a 10-yard scoring
play.
Westminster's attempt to march downfield in the closing minute
was stopped when Tartan junior Ryan Aitken 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.
The Tartans will next head to Bethany, W.Va., on Saturday, Oct. 11
to play the Bison. Kick is slated for 2 p.m.