PRESIDENTS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Defense gives Titans good start in victory

Scott Froelich's 37 carries set a single-game record in the 19-7 win over Grove City College.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
GROVE CITY, Pa. -- Score early, then dictate the tempo of the game. That is what the Westminster College football team did Saturday at Robert E. Thorn Field in a 19-7 victory over Grove City.
The Titans defensive unit scored the first points of the game when Nick Fritch blocked a punt and Tom Froelich returned it for a touchdown.
"It was a big play, a big positive for them and a big negative for us," said Grove City coach Chris Smith.
Lead increased
After several exchanges of possession, the Titans (5-2, 3-1 Presidents' Athletic Conference) increased their margin to 13-0 when they marched 65 yards on 11 plays, Brad Johnson scoring with a 2-yard run.
"We even talked about the importance of getting up early in bad weather like this," said Westminster coach Jerry Schmitt. "The quick start was very important today because the field wore down as the game went on."
The Wolverines (2-6, 1-4 PAC) got their only score of the game 36 seconds before the intermission.
Starting from his 20, quarterback Todd Smargiasso ran for 20 yards, then three plays later, hit wideout Bo Danton for 57 yards and the score.
"We were running out of the shotgun and I had good vision of the field," explained Smargiasso about his run. "Their [pass] coverage was really good, but they were deep. The line did a great job of creating a pocket, I stepped up, and when nobody showed up, I took off. As for the pass, number 7 [Danton] is our speed demon. He did a good job getting behind their secondary and I just cranked it up and let it go."
The touchdown switched the momentum to the Wolverines but that didn't last very long. Taking the second half kickoff, the Titans drove 91 yards on 13 plays, with tailback Scott Froelich going in from the 3.
"That was very big because they had the momentum," said Schmitt. "Our kids just seem to operate better when they are in a pinch and they did that today. When the chips are down and our backs are against the wall, they just seem to pick it up."
Froelich finished with 178 yards on 37 carries, taking him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. His 37 carries was also set a Westminster single game record.
"When we take the field, every team we play knows we are going to run the ball," said Froelich.
Another big factor was the differential in plays: 74-43 in favor of Westminster.
"I think according to my stat sheet, we ran 12 offensive plays in the second half," said Smith. "When you do that, it makes it extremely difficult to be creative or effective, especially when you know you have to get the ball down the field. The simple fact of the matter is that they get worn down."