Fast start, blocked punt spark Waynesburg
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NEW WILMINGTON – Tight end Mike Ferraro caught two touchdown passes from Carter Hill, and Dontae Gibson returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, as Waynesburg University cruised to a 38-19 victory over Westminster in a Presidents’ Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon.
Waynesburg (5-2, 7-2) led 21-0 late in the first half, and after Westminster (2-4, 3-5) pulled to within 21-13 early in the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets pulled away with the blocked punt for a score and Hill’s third touchdown pass of the game.
In addition to having a punt blocked, Westminster committed six turnovers, including four lost fumbles. Waynesburg turned three of the turnovers into touchdowns.
Hill completed 22 of 33 passes for 265 yards and three scores. His touchdown passes of 15 yards to Ferraro and 17 yards to tight end Zac Capan gave Waynesburg a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Both of the scores were set up by fumble recoveries, one by cornerback Stephen Holt and the other by safety Bryan Gary.
Following Westminster’s third turnover, an interception by cornerback Marvin Sampson, Waynesburg drove 83 yards in 10 plays with Jake Forsythe scoring on a three-yard run to make it 21-0 with four minutes left in the first half.
Westminster pulled to within 21-6 when Dak Britt passed 24 yards to Cody Alward for a touchdown, on a fourth-down play, with eight seconds remaining in the first half. Britt completed 22 of 36 passes for 281 yards but was intercepted twice. He also was the Titans’ leading rusher with 87 yards.
The Titans added to their momentum early in the second half, when Taran Sifontes-Lavine returned a Waynesburg punt 86 yards for a touchdown that pulled Westminster to within 21-13. It was the longest punt return for a touchdown in Westminster history.
Waynesburg, however, responded with Alex Henry’s 31-yard field goal and a 21-yard touchdown pass from Hill to Ferraro to push the lead to 38-13.
Westminster had one more big play left as Britt connected with Colin Wallace for an 84-yard touchdown pass with 6:35 remaining. It was the longest scoring pass in Titans history.