HIRAM, Ohio — The Westminster College football team opened
the season with a 23-6 win at Hiram Saturday in non-conference
action. The Titans (1-0) scored 23 unanswered points and out-rushed
the Terriers, 198-55, thanks to sophomore John Proano who rushed
for 123 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries in his debut as the
Titans' starting running back.
Junior quarterback Shawn Lehocky also had a productive day for
Westminster as he rushed 14 times for 64 yards and a 2-yard
touchdown in the second quarter that gave the Titans a 10-6 lead.
Lehocky also threw for 76 yards on 8-of-17 passing with an
interception.
Freshman wide receiver Austin Cope was Lehocky's favorite
receiver, as Cope snared three passes for 43 yards.
Hiram (0-1) took a 6-0 lead on a pair of Luke Russo field goals
from 30 yards in the first quarter and 38 yards in the second
quarter. Westminster junior kicker Trevor Young knocked down a
33-yard field goal to cut the Hiram lead to 6-3 before Lehocky's
touchdown run culminated a seven-play, 44-yard drive and gave the
Titans the lead for good.
With his team leading 10-6, Lehocky threw an interception on
Westminster's first drive of the second half as he was picked off
by Chase Laudato. The Terriers then marched 79 yards on 16 plays to
the Westminster 1-yard line before the Titans stuffed the Terriers
twice on third down-and-goal from the 1 and fourth-and-goal from
the 1.
Hiram then gambled again in the third quarter, faking a punt on
fourth-and-25 from its own 22-yard line. The play gained only 18
yards and when Westminster took over possession, the Titans scored
on three plays including Proano's 7-yard touchdown run that put the
Titans up 16-6.
On Hiram's ensuing possession, Westminster sophomore safety Kyle
Allen intercepted a pass from Hiram quarterback Brendan Rehor and
returned it 33 yards for the touchdown. The interception was
Allen's fifth of his career and his first returned for a
touchdown.
Rehor finished the game with 300 passing yards on 31-of-46
passing. Chris Austin led the Terriers with 33 rushing yards on 12
carries.
Westminster senior linebackers Cory Meeker and Jake Brown each
posted career highs for tackles with 15 stops apiece. Their
previous highs were both 11 tackles. Senior linebacker Tom Geraghty
also posted a personal-best 12 tackles for the Titans.
Westminster remains out of conference when it travels to Lycoming
on Saturday, Sept. 11 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.