WESTMINSTER Presidents get payback with Titans after last season's loss

Scott Froelich became the first true freshman to rush for 100 yards at Westminster since 1995.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON -- One year ago, Westminster's football team used a late safety to upset the nationally-ranked Washington & amp; Jefferson Presidents.
In Saturday's rematch, the Presidents made sure history didn't repeat itself by combining a big-play offense with a stingy defense to post a 28-7 victory over the Titans at Burry Stadium.
"I suppose I mentioned it to them once or twice this past week," quipped Presidents coach John Banaszak about last year's game.
"I think that last year, we got frustrated a little bit, but today, that didn't happen," Banaszak said.
Getting it going: Big plays played a major role after the two teams combined for three turnovers on four possessions to begin the game.
W & amp;J's Brian Dawson hit Todd Fry with a 40-yard pass to the Westminster 1 to set up Joey Nichols' touchdown run.
Titans quarterback Matt Robison hit Brian Lipiello with a 52-yard scoring pass on the next possession.
Westminster coach Jerry Schmitt felt that it was big for his team to answer the score by the Prexies.
"I was very happy with the way they came out and did that," Schmitt said. "That was very definitely one of the positives that came out of this game for us."
The Prexies regained the lead and added a little insurance in the final seven minutes of the first half with a pair of scores.
First, Nichols ripped off a 76-yard run to the Titans 7 to set up a 3-yard TD pass from Dawson to Tom Paff.
On the next possession, Fry got behind the Titans secondary on the first play from scrimmage, and Dawson hit him in stride for the 80-yard touchdown.
"It all came down to us being able to run the ball because if we can't run the ball, play action isn't going to work," Fry said.
Seal the deal: Leading 21-7, Fry sealed the win when he caught another TD pass from Dawson, this one covering 10 yards.
Fry finished with six catches for 165 yards and two scores. Dawson completed 12-of-22 attempts for 239 yards and three scores.
Schmitt said lack of consistency on both sides of the ball was one of the key factors in the loss.
"When we get the consistency we are capable of, I think this is going to be a very good offensive football team," Schmitt said. "We show signs of some good things on offense, but we just don't put it all together.
"And there is no doubt that we are going to have to work on not allowing the big play after playing tough defense for three or four plays," Schmitt said.
Titans freshman Scott Froelich gained 106 yards on 27 carries and became the first true freshman to rush for 100 yards at Westminster since Denny Flora did it against Allegheny College in 1995.
Wash. & amp; Jefferson02170--28
Westminster0700--7
WASH & amp; JEFF -- Joey Nichols, 1 run (Luke Ravenstahl kick)
WESTMINSTER -- Brian Lipiello, 52 pass from Matt Robison (Jon McCartney kick)
WASH & amp; JEFF -- Tom Paff, 3 pass from Brian Dawson (Ravenstahl kick)
WASH & amp; JEFF -- Todd Fry, 80 pass from Dawson (Ravenstahl kick)
WASH & amp; JEFF -- Fry, 10 pass from Dawson (Ravenstahl kick)