FULTON, Mo. - Westminster football fell 23-20 to top-ranked St. Scholastica in the second conference game of the season.
The Blue Jays fall to 1-2 on the year and 1-1 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.
"We came out to this game with a mission," said Westminster Head Coach John Welty. " We especially played well on the defensive end, and I give the whole team credit for the game they put together today."
The Blue Jays dominated the first half, scoring first on a 14-yard reception from Trent White to Lucas Robinson.
The Westminster defense held the Saints to just a field goal in the first quarter to make the score 7-3 at the half.
A 23-yard run from White added to the offense for Westminster, making the score 14-3 in the third quarter to favor Westminster.
The Saints answered in the third quarter with a touchdown of their own to make the score 14-9 to end the third quarter, still favoring the Blue Jays.
The fourth quarter featured offensive action from both teams, including back-to-back touchdowns from the Saints for a 23-13 lead, their first lead of the game.
The Blue Jays fought until the end, adding a touchdown from White on a seven yard carry to make the final score 23-20. Ketrick Large added a 61-yard carry o the drive to ensure Westminster scored the touchdown, setting White up for the carry to score.
White went 8-17 passing with 79 yards and one touchdown. Davis led the team rushing with 109 yards on 23 attempts. Lucas Robinson made two receptions for 45 yards, including a touchdown.
Robert Weirch led the team in tackles with 10, including six solo. Jackson Ringhausen, Ben Holt, and Jordan Shockley each recorded a sack while Jerrid Moore recorded three tackles for a loss of four yards.
"We proved that we are a force to be reckoned with," said Welty. "We proved today that we can play with the big dogs, but we have to keep getting better as a team."
Westminster faces Greenville at home at the new Kent and Judy Mueller Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.