(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team hosted Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rival Case Western Reserve University in the 37th Annual Academic Bowl on Saturday night. The Tartans defeated the Spartans 31-21 and end the season with a 9-1 record with Case Western Reserve finishing with a mark of 7-3.

Game Information
Carnegie Mellon 31, Case Western Reserve 21
Records: Carnegie Mellon (9-1, 9-1 PAC), Case Western Reserve (7-3, 7-3 PAC)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Gesling Stadium)

How it Happened

• The Tartans got on the scoreboard first when senior Tre Vasiliadis capped off a 14-play, 92-yard drive that took 6:45 off the clock with a 1-yard touchdown run.
• On the second play of the second quarter, the Cardinal and Gray double they lead when senior Ben Mills found senior Ethan Reifer on a 20-yard touchdown strike to make the score 14-0.
• Before the end of the half, the Spartans made the score 14-7 when Alex Fromberg connected with Noah Coyne for a 30-yard touchdown.
• Sophomore Justin Caputo made the score 17-7 with eight minutes to play in the third quarter with a 36-yard field goal.
• Case Western Reserve scored with 31 ticks on the clock in the third quarter to make it a three-point (17-14) contest when Fromberg tossed his second touchdown of the game. This time, the signal caller found Ethan Dahlem on a 7-yard score.
• The Tartans answered on their ensuing possession, as they put together a 13-play, 79-yard drive that took 7:05 off the clock and resulted in a 3-yard touchdown run by sophomore Joey McGinnis IV. The score gave Carnegie Mellon a 24-14 edge with 8:26 to play.
• Like the Tartans, the Spartans answered the score with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that ended on a third touchdown pass by Fromberg when he found Riley Knurek on a 25-yard pass. The touchdown made the score 24-21 as the clock showed 5:57 remaining.
• After the Spartans held the Tartans to a three-and-out, Case Western Reserve got the ball back and on the third play of its possession, Tartan senior Robert Coury intercepted Fromberg and returned the ball 29 yards to the Spartans 12-yard line.
• Four plays following Coury's pick, McGinnis IV sealed the victory with a 1-yard touchdown run to end the scoring at 31-21 with 1:46 to play.

Stats

• Carnegie Mellon outgained Case Western Reserve 296-286 in total offense with the Tartans holding the Spartans to 32 yards on the ground.
• Mills ended the game passing for 187 yards on19-of-29 with one touchdown and an interception.
• Reifer led the Tartan receivers with six catches for 64 yards and a score.
• Vasiliadis finished with 92 yards rushing on 21 carries and a touchdown.
• Robert Coury headed the Cardinal and Gray defense with 11 tackles, six solo, a sack, 3.0 tackles for loss and an interception.
• Junior Evan Roper and Thomas Coury each had nine tackles. Roper finished with 2.0 sacks and eight of his tackles were solo.
• Senior Long Young ended with an interception, a sack, forced a fumble and recorded five tackles.
• Fromberg passed for 254 yards on 20-of-39 and three touchdowns and two interceptions.
• The Spartans receivers were led by Coyne with six receptions for 115 yards and a score.

Game Notes

• This was the 52nd meeting between the two institutions with Carnegie Mellon leading the all-time series 33-19.
• It was the 37th time playing for the Academic Bowl Trophy, which is more than a trophy, as it emphasizes a "Commitment to Academic and Athletic Excellence." The Tartans hold a 22-15 all-time advantage in Academic Bowl contests.
• The Tartans have now won seven of the last eight over the Spartans.
• Carnegie Mellon has now won 17 straight games at home dating back to the spring season of 2021.
• The Tartans have now won 20 straight games when winning the turnover battle.
• It was the ninth game this season the Tartans have help their opponent under 100 yards rushing.
• It marked the third multi sack game for Roper this season.
• It was Robert Coury's 12th career game recording double digit tackles.
• Thomas Coury moved into eighth in program history with 217 tackles for his career.
• Robert Coury now ranks eighth with 17 career sacks.
• Young now ranks tied for seventh with 10 career interceptions.
• Mills moved to fifth in program history in career passing yards and now has 4,973.

Thoughts From Head Coach Ryan Larsen

• "I couldn't be more proud of our team, especially in such a hard, fought game against a great CWRU squad. All three phases made huge plays today in a great team win!"