BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY

by Mike Hustava, Sports Information Assistant

The Saint Vincent football team defeated Westminster, 21-9, in a PAC matchup at Chuck Noll Field. The win marks the first time since 1957 that the Bearcats have won five games in a season.
 
After the Saint Vincent defense forced Westminster to punt on the game's opening possession, the Bearcats' offense seized the lead. Quarterback Aaron Smetanka capped off an 11-play, 79-yard drive with a six-yard run to give the Bearcats the early 7-0 advantage.
 
The hosts added to their edge again on their next drive. This time Smetanka found receiver Ricky Douglas on two-yard pass with just under four minutes left in the first quarter to extend the Bearcats' lead to 14-0.
 
The Titans got on the board early in the second quarter when quarterback Shawn Lehocky connected with Geno Pasquinelli from 10 yards out, cutting the Saint Vincent lead to 14-7.
 
With less than two minutes remaining in the half the Bearcats regained the 14-point edge. Smetanka tossed his second touchdown of the day, this time a 14-yard strike to Christian Sutton and Saint Vincent led 21-7.
 
After the touchdown, the Bearcats caught the Titans by surprise by attempting and recovering an onside kick. It looked as if Saint Vincent would further extend their lead but Smetanka was intercepted in the end zone and the score remained 21-7 at the break.
 
Smetanka was 19-for-26 in the first half for 214 yards and accounted for all three Bearcat scores.
 
At the midway point of the third quarter, Darius Brown picked-off a Lehocky pass on fourth down and returned it 65-yards for what appeared to be a touchdown. A personal foul against the Bearcats negated the touchdown, though, and gave Saint Vincent the ball at the Titans' 46-yard line. However, the Bearcats were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
 
The Titans punted on their next possession and pinned Saint Vincent at their own one-yard line. Two plays later, Huey Ehredt slipped and fell on a handoff in the end zone for a safety, making the score 21-9 Saint Vincent with four minutes left in the third quarter.
 
After the safety the game turned into a battle of defense and field position. With 11:38 left in the fourth quarter, safety Dan Wirkowski came up with an interception, giving the Bearcats the ball in Westminster territory. The Titans defense forced Saint Vincent into a three-and-out after the turnover and forced a punt.
 
On their next drive, the Titans started with ball at their own 20-yard line and drove deep into Saint Vincent territory. The Bearcats came up with perhaps their biggest stand of the game, though, forcing the Titans to turn the ball over on downs in the red zone with less than seven minutes left in regulation.
 
Saint Vincent was then able to run the clock down to 2:44 before punting the ball back to the Titans, pinning them at their own 20-yard line with the 21-9 lead still intact.
 
On fourth down with Westminster at their own 28-yard line, Brown picked off his second pass of the game, this time off quarterback Tommy Turnbull, and gave the Bearcats the ball back with 2:05 left in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats then ran the clock out to secure the 21-9 victory.
 
Brown has now intercepted two passes in a game for the second straight week.
 
Smetanka finished the afternoon 22-of-33 for 225 yards and three touchdowns (one rushing). Ehredt and Mike Kale combined to rush for 128 yards in the contest while seven different receivers had a catch in the game for the Bearcats. Andre Rogers and Joe Yezovich each had five receptions for 49 and 35 yards, respectively.
 
The Saint Vincent defense turned in an outstanding performance, holding the Titans to 153 total yards in the contest and intercepting three passes to go along with allowing just seven points. David Ribero and Anthony Johnson led the way with six tackles while Jim Muraco and Armando Fortunato each recorded five stops. The Bearcats also registered 9 tackles for loss for 48 yards and three sacks for 35 yards.
 
Saint Vincent improves to 5-4, 4-3 in the PAC with the win today.
 
The Bearcats will close out the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1pm at home against Bethany College in the annual “Green Game.”