WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 17) – The Waynesburg University football team welcomed long-time rival Westminster College to a cold, dreary John F. Wiley Stadium on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, but were unable to hold the advantage as they fell 24-7 to the Titans.
 
Waynesburg (2-5, 1-4) received the opening kickoff, but was forced to punt to end its opening possession. The Jacket defense got its offensive counterparts the ball back after stopping Westminster (5-2, 4-1) on fourth-and-eight at the Waynesburg 32.
 
The Yellow Jackets made the big defensive stand count by marching 68 yards in nine plays for the game's first touchdown. Freshman quarterback Jake Dougherty capped the drive with a 15-yard scoring pass to tight end Daniel Davis for the score. Senior kicker Scott Lewis improved to 21-for-21 on the year in extra point attempts to put his team up 7-0.
 
The Jacket defense recorded another impactful play with 8:32 remaining in the half, when freshman John-Glen Davis picked up his first collegiate interception at the Waynesburg 25-yard-line. The home team looked poised to convert another turnover into six points as it took the ball down to the Titan six. What transpired next seemed to be the turning point of the game.
 
Facing a fourth-and-one, Waynesburg decided to roll the dice and not kick a 23-yard field goal that could have put the Orange and Black ahead 10-0. Unfortunately, Dougherty's pass was intercepted at the five-yard-line, giving the ball back to Westminster.
 
The Titans rode the momentum of the pick during a marathon 17-play, 95-yard march downfield that concluded with the game-tying touchdown with around 20 seconds showing on the game clock. Waynesburg got the ball back before halftime, but were unable to produce any points.
 
The second half belonged to Westminster, which out-scored the home team 17-0 over the final 30 minutes.
 
Though it came in a loss, senior running back Jerry Lawman had a big day for the Jackets. The Poland, Ohio, native rushed for a game-high 134 yards on 27 carries. He also caught a pass for four yards.
 
Dougherty completed 16-of-27 attempts for 144 yards, a touchdown and a pick. Junior Tim Cooper pulled in a team-high four catches for a squad-best 59 yards.
 
The home team's defensive efforts were spearheaded by senior linebacker Aaron Palmer, who piled up 13 total tackles, including nine solo stops. Junior safety Eli Hargis chipped in eight total tackles, including seven of the solo variety.
 
The Jackets play their final home game of 2015 on Saturday, Oct. 24, when they welcome Thiel College for senior day. Kickoff for the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.