FULTON, Mo. - Despite holding a lead for most of the second half, Westminster football fell to Eureka 28-17 on Homecoming.
The Blue Jays drop to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the UMAC. Eureka improves to 4-1 in the UMAC.
"We are disappointed witth the loss but we played a good football game," said Westminster Head Coach John Welty. "I was very happy and proud of the way we came out in the second half with a purpose."
Eureka got on top to start the game with a field goal six minutes in, but the Blue Jays quickly answered with a touchdown the next drive. Trent White ran 93 yards to make the score 6-3 in favor of Westminster.
The Blue Jays held that lead until late in the second quarter. Eureka steadily marched the ball down the field over 6 minutes to eventually score on a 5-yard run.
The Red Devils added on to that lead by grabbing an interception with under two minutes to play and running it back for a 60-yard touchdown run, putting them on top 17-6 going into the half.
The Blue Jays started the half with a bang, after Aaron Owens scored on the kickoff return on an 88-yard run, putting Westminster back in the game behind 17-12.
Just minutes later, White connected a pass to Matt Quarles, who ran for a touchdown and a 77-yard completion, putting Westminster on top 18-17.
The Blue Jays were able to hold that lead for the remainder for the third quarter and into the fourth, until with under three minutes to play Eureka added a field goal to make the score 20-18 in favor of the Red Devils.
"We made them kick a field goal to give them the lead, which is great. We were still in the ball game, we just didn't have enough left in the tank," said Welty. "We didn't quit and kept scrapping."
After a fumble recovery by Eureka, the Red Devils added another touchdown with under two minutes to play to secure their victory and make the final score 27-18.
White was 21-42 with passing 339 yards and one touchdown. He added 129 rushing yards.
Matt Quarles and Mike Washington led the team in receiving yards with 147 and 127, respectively.
"Washington was unbelieveable in the second half and he made some big time catches for us," said Welty. "He spectacular today."
Ayo Oyesanya added two sacks and led the team with nine tackles.
Westminster travels to Martin Luther next Saturday for a noon CT matchup.
"We will be competitive next week and we have to make a commitment to get better," said Welty. "If we play next Saturday like we played today, we'll be fine. We're not out of the hunt yet."
