Seals Jr.’s 3 Touchdowns Can’t Cap Blue Jay’s Win, Fall 38-45 In 2nd Overtime

It was a devastating Saturday afternoon for Westminster football (2-4, 2-3 UMAC) as they dropped the game to the Minnesota-Morris Cougars, 38-45,  in two overtimes. Senior Ronnie Seals Jr. was just 3 yards shy of breaking Westminster’s rushing yard’s game record (currently 233 by Robert Coleman).

On the Blue Jay’s third drive, Seals Jr. rushed 62 yards for a touchdown to put the first numbers on the board. Freshman Jeff Dickerson hit the point after attempt.

The Cougars scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, but their PAT kick attempt and 2-point conversion were both bad. Westminster answered back with a 22-yard run by Seals Jr., PAT by Dickerson was good. Just seconds later, a pick six by junior Kyle Bryant gave the Blue Jays the 21-12 lead (PAT good). Two minutes before the end of the half, Minnesota-Morris scored again, but the Blue Jays up 21-19 heading into halftime.

A 21-yard rush by Seals Jr. before the Cougar’s touchdown (PAT failed) and a 14-yard pass from junior Joe Plassmeyer to senior Justin Billiot after gave the Blue Jays a 10 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Sophomore Kevin Ludwig made both PATs.

The back-and-forth scoring game had the Blue Jays up 35-25 in the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Cougars scored just 1:30 into the fourth quarter to put them down by only 3. Westminster’s Brett Carrigan intercepted the Cougar’s pass on the Minnesota-Morris 20 yard line with 9:02 left in the game. The Blue Jays were unable to get in the end-zone, but Ludwig hit the 26-yard field goal to put them up by 6 (38-32). The Cougars pushed the ball up the field on the next drive and scored a touchdown. The PAT was no good, making the game tied at 38 with 5 minutes left of play.

With 5 seconds left on the clock, the Blue Jays went for the field goal attempt to end the game. Ludwig went for the 25-yard field goal, but was blocked by the Cougars, sending the game into overtime.

In the first overtime, both passes were intercepted, sending the game into the second overtime. The Cougars were up first and were able to score a touchdown in two passes (PAT good), taking the 45-38 lead.

With Seals Jr. out hurt, the Blue Jays looked to senior Sam Lantz Jr. to rush the ball. A fumble recovered by the Cougars ended the Blue Jay’s chance to tie the game up and gave Minnesota-Morris the 45-38 victory.

The Blue Jays finished with 503 offensive yards. Plassmeyer had 15 completions for 163 yards and senior Mac Findeiss led the Blue Jays with 68 receiving yards. Dickerson went 3-for-3 on PATs and Ludwig went 2-for-2.

The Blue Jays had 5 interceptions for the game and 11 tackles for loss for 62 yards. Bryant led the Blue Jays with 2.5 of Westminster’s 8 sacks for 21 yards.

The Blue Jays will host new conference member Iowa Wesleyan College on Saturday, October 19 as they celebrate their Homecoming Weekend. Kickoff starts at 1:00 p.m.