MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa - Westminster football earned the first win of 2016 against UMAC opponent Iowa Wesleyan 24-7.
Westminster improves to 1-1 on the season.
"It's always great to get a win on the road," said Head Coach John Welty. "It was a long day and we are happy how things turned out. We got a team win today."
Westminster scored an offensive, defensive, and special teams touchdown to show off depth and a well-rounded squad.
The Blue Jays scored the first points of the game on a one-yard rush from Latif Adams after a 35-yard completion from Trent White to Matt Quarles.
Westminster scored again in the first quarter after an Iowa Weslayan fumble at their four-yard line. The ball was recovered by Jordan Shockley and scored for a touchdown. The Blue Jays ended the first quarter with a 14-0 lead.
The Tigers were able to cut the lead with a touchdown of their own in the second quarter on a six-yard completion to Jeremy Gomez.
After Westminster was unable to get the ball into the endzone at the Iowa Weslayan seven-yard line, Ian Pletenik added the the Blue Jay lead late in the third quarter with a good field goal attempt, making the score 17-7.
The Blue Jays scored their final touchdown of the game after a fumble was forced by Bret Robertson and recovered by Zach Roseman at Westminster's 35 yard line. Roseman ran the ball 65 yards for the touchdown. After the good extra point from Pletenik, Westminster lead by 24-7 where the game would end.
"Our defense was unbelievable and one of the best defensive efforts I've seen since I've been at Westminster," said Welty. "This was a statement game for our defense."
Trent White recorded 80 passing yards on nine completions and added 71 rushing yards. Adams recorded 59 rushings yards. Quarles led the Blue Jays in receiving yards with 51 on five catches.
Ayo Oyesana led the team with 2.5 sacks followed by Kinge Ndanga with two.
Robertson and Kyle Kroll both added an interception.
"Iowa Wesleyan is an up and coming team so for us, it's a standup win," said Welty.
The Blue Jays stay on the road next weekend for a 1 p.m. matchup at MacMurray.
