9/8/24 Fulton, MO – On a cool afternoon at Kent and Judith Mueller Stadium, the Westminster Blue Jays delivered an impressive 23-3 victory over the Manchester University Spartans, giving their first year head coach, Luke Butts, his first win as a Blue Jay. The team showed a new level of confidence and aggression, setting the stage for what should be an exciting season.
Westminster struck early in the first quarter, as quarterback Keegan Zdybel capped off a 4-play, 56-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run at the 9:40 mark. The extra point was good, putting the Blue Jays ahead 7-0. Just minutes later, the defense, embodying the aggressive style Coach Butts has been instilling, forced a safety at 07:09, extending the lead to 9-0.
The Spartans managed to answer in the second quarter with a 14-play, 59-yard drive, resulting in an 11-yard field goal by Aiden Beachy at 13:11. That was the last time Manchester would score, as Westminster's defense stifled any further attempts. .
In the third quarter, Westminster's offense found its rhythm again. Zdybel broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run at 05:22, capping off a 94-yard drive and extending the lead to 15-3. The Blue Jays continued to dominate on both sides of the ball.
Zdybel put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with his third rushing touchdown of the day, a 14-yard run that capped off a 9-play, 71-yard drive at 10:26. The successful 2-point conversion made it 23-3, as Westminster cruised to their first home opener win since 2018.
Zdybel was the standout player, rushing 20 times for 95 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also completing 7 of 19 passes for 112 yards. His longest completion, a 51-yard strike to Aden Campbell. Campbell finished with 60 yards on two receptions, and Trace Helsel added 40 rushing yards on just four carries, highlighting the team's balanced attack.
Defensively, the Blue Jays looked sharp, with Campton Hicks securing an interception and the entire unit forcing key turnovers. Darvin Fowler was a menace in the backfield, racking up 2 and half sacks on the day and 6 total tackles. 3 tackles were for a loss of yards and Fowler was also credited a QB hurry up as the anchor of the Blue Jays defense.
Coach Butts' first win showed a team playing with newfound confidence and discipline. The Blue Jays dominated in the trenches and executed both offensively and defensively. As the team adjusts to their new coach's system, the rest of the season looks bright and full of promise.
Westminster will look to carry this momentum into next week's matchup against the Sewanee Tigers, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00pm in Sewanee, Tennessee.
