Carnegie Mellon Football Falls 27-23 at #23 Wittenberg

(SPRINGFIELD, Ohio) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team traveled to Springfield, Ohio Saturday, October 22 to play the 23rd-ranked Tigers of Wittenberg University and dropped a 27-23 decision at Edwards-Maurer Field. The Tartans are now 4-3 while Wittenberg improves to 7-1.

Following a Tartan turnover, Wittenberg needed six plays to take the early lead. Sean Williams' career-long 40-yard field goal gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead five minutes into the game. Williams gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead two minutes into the second quarter, as he topped is career-long with a 41 yarder.

In the closing minutes of the half, Wittenberg's Ben Zoeller connected with wide out Josh McKee on a 36-yard touchdown strike to give the home team a 13-0 edge with 1:41 to play in the half.

Carnegie Mellon put its two-minute offense in gear, as it marched 47 yards on 12 plays to end the half. Freshman place kicker Dylan Munoz (Houston, Texas/Langham Creek) connected on a career-long 38-yard field goal as time expired, cutting the Wittenberg lead to 13-3.

Following an interception by senior safety Ray Johnson (Brick, N.J.) to start the second half, the Tartans marched 70 yards on 14 plays making the score 13-10 on a 1-yard touchdown run by senior running back Chris Garcia (Albuquerque, N.M./Valley). Two plays prior to the score, sophomore quarterback Rob Kalkstein (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) found freshman wide out Timothy Swanson (Millburn, N.J.) for a 27-yard reception on a third-and-17 from the Tigers 28-yard line.

Wittenberg wasted little time responding to the Tartans score. On the Tigers next possession they marched 76 yards, resulting in another Zoeller touchdown pass. This time the senior signal caller found Brendon Cunningham for a 31-yard score pushing the home teams lead back to double digits at 20-10 as the third quarter ended.

The Tigers added to their lead after holding the Tartans to a three-and-out. Sophomore quarterback Reed Florence found McKee from 10 yards out extending the lead to 27-10 with 12 minutes to play in the game.

The Tartans made the score 27-17 on a six-yard scamper by junior running back Patrick Blanks (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller) with 8:04 to play in the fourth quarter. The score was setup when junior cornerback Sam Thompson (Alcoa, Tenn.) intercepted Zoeller at the 42-yard line of Wittenberg and then handed the ball off to sophomore safety Jack Butler (Kennesaw, Ga./North Cobb), who then returned the ball to the six-yard line.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Tartans lined up for the onside kick and senior Dan Miller (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) successfully recovered for the Tartans. Ten plays later, Garcia scored his second 1-yard touchdown run of the afternoon. The point after attempt was blocked, leaving the score 27-23 Wittenberg with 3:48 to play. Carnegie Mellon then elected to kickoff and the home team was able to run the clock out and hold on for the 27-23 victory.

Wittenberg held the edge in total yards, 455-317. The Tartans tallied 212 yards on the ground with junior running back Jake Nardone (Beaver, Pa./Beaver Area) leading the way with 72 yards, moving into 15th place on the all-time school rushing list with 1,356 career yards. Garcia and Blanks ended the day with 64 yards on the ground each. Garcia now has 1,503 career yards placing him 12th on the all-time charts. Defensively, Miller led the Tartans with eight tackles.

Zoeller ended the game completing 13-23 for 227 yards and two scores. Six of his passes, including both scores, went to McKee for 108 yards. Conner Warye led the Tigers attack on the ground, as he tallied 115 of their 218 rushing yards.

The Tartans will be back in action Saturday, October 29, as they entertain Washington University at 12:00 pm on the turf of Gesling Stadium. The game is the University Athletic Association opener for both teams.