1994 Westminster Titans football team explained

Year:1994
Team:Westminster Titans
Sport:football
Conference:Mid-States Football Association
Division:Mideast League
Short Conf:MSFA
Record:12–2
Conf Record:4–0
Head Coach:Gene Nicholson
Hc Year:4th
Champion:NAIA Division II national champion
MSFA MEL champion
Bowl:NAIA Division II Championship Game
Bowl Result:W 27–7 vs.

The 1994 Westminster Titans football team was an American football team that represented Westminster College of Pennsylvania as a member of Mideast League (MEL) within the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) during the 1994 NAIA Division II football season. In their fourth season under head coach Gene Nicholson, the Titans compiled a 12–2 record. They advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs, defeating (42–14) in the quarterfinal, (46–6) in the semifinal and (27–7) in the NAIA Division II National Championship Game.[1]

NAIA playoffs

First round vs. Findlay

On November 19, Westminster defeated the, 41–30, in its first-round playoff game. Findlay led, 23–14, at the start of the fourth quarter. The Titans came from behind with four fourth-quarter touchdowns by junior running back Andy Blatt. Blatt rushed for 96 yards on 20 carries and scored five touchdowns in the game. Westminster quarterback Sean O'Shea completed 20 of 32 passes for 254 yards. Westminster out-gained Findlay by 340 yards of total offense to 320.

Quarterfinal vs. Tiffin

On December 3, Westminster defeated, 42–14, in the NAIA Division II quarterfinal game at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Quarterback Sean O'Shea completed 22 of 29 passes for 340 yards and five touchdowns. He also broke Joe Micchia's career record by extending his total to 4,695 passing yards. Westminster back Andy Blatt also rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The Titans out-gained Tiffin by 582 yards to 354.[2]

Semifinal vs. Lambuth

On December 10, No. 3 Westminster defeated No. 7, 46–6, in an NAIA Division II semifinal game played before a crowd of 1,300 at Memorial Field in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Senior tailback Andy Blatt led the offense with 216 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the first half.[3]

National championship game vs. Pacific Lutheran

On December 17, Westminster defeated, 27–7, in the NAIA Division II national championship game before a crowd of 4,357 at Civic Stadium in Portland, Oregon. The game was a rematch of the 1993 championship game won by Pacific Lutheran. Andy Blatt led the offense for Westminster, rushing for 128 yards and a touchdown and throwing a 60-yard touchdown pass. Westminster quarterback Sean O'Shea also threw two touchdown passes, and Tim McNeil also caught two touchdown passes. The Titans also intercepted three passes off Pacific Lutheran quarterback Karl Hoseth. It was the sixth national championship for Westminster, following prior championships in 1970, 1976, 1977, 1988, and 1989.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1994 Football Schedule. Westminster College. November 26, 2021.
  2. News: O'Shea puts it in passing gear leads Westminster to semifinal. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 4, 1994. D6. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Blatt leads 46–6 rout by Titans. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Scott Robertson. December 11, 1994. D8. Newspapers.com.
  4. Web site: Scoring Summary Westminster at Pacific Lutheran. Westminster College. December 3, 2021.