New Wilmington, PA – The Geneva College football team was not about to see the 2017 season come to an end without leaving every ounce of determination on the field at Westminster on Saturday afternoon. Despite coming into the game having dropped four straight and playing against a Titan team that has enjoyed Geneva's number in recent years, the Golden Tornadoes made Westminster earn every bit of a 20-14 decision. Saturday's match-up was the 119th between the schools in a series that began in 1891.
Geneva seemingly had the game in control on the field and on the scoreboard when it found the end zone midway through the third quarter to extend its lead to 14-0. The Titans managed to cut the lead in half late in the third and a 13 point fourth quarter proved to be the difference as Westminster scored the deciding touchdown with just 3:15 left in the game.
The Golden Tornadoes scored the only points of the first half on a four yard Bryan Stafford run that capped a nine play, 55 yard drive to put Geneva up 7-0. The Golden Tornadoes held Westminster's high powered offense off the scoreboard in the first 30 minutes and held them to only 311 total yards for the game.
Trewon Marshall doubled Geneva's lead at the 7:11 mark of the third quarter on a six yard run that capped a 14 play drive giving the Golden Tornadoes a 14-0 advantage. Westminster responded with a nine play drive of its own to finally dent the scoreboard. The Titans' Kimu Kim scored twice in the final ten minutes including a four yard run with 3:15 left in regulation to give Westminster a 20-14 lead. After missing the extra point, Geneva still had a glimmer of hope but its final drive of the game didn't reach Westminster territory and the Titans held on for the victory.
"We are a frustrated group," said head coach Geno DeMarco. "Our guys showed amazing character and amazing heart today and all season but we aren't interested in moral victories. This team is closer than a lot of people think and the future is bright for this program. We have great kids in our locker room and we have a lot work to do and have never been more motivated to right this ship, and we will."
Geneva put up 245 yards on the ground led by Marshall's 115 yards on 23 carries. Stafford also reached the century mark with 102 yards on 27 carries. Stafford only completed 1-2 passes for seven yards. Defensively, the Golden Tornadoes were stout all day in limiting the Titans offense. Joe Shively led the defense with 11 tackles with Austin Jacobson adding eight. Jared Hogue and Tyler Cann both came away with interceptions as Geneva managed to turn the Titans over twice while Geneva only gave the ball away one time.
The Golden Tornadoes closed out the 2017 campaign with an overall record of 3-7, including a 2-6 mark in the PAC. Meanwhile, Westminster finished the regular season at 7-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play.
