Tartans Return Home Saturday to Take On Westminster

Sept. 12 - (PITTSBURGH, PA) – After opening the season with consecutive road games, Carnegie Mellon returns home for a 12:00 p.m. September 16 battle against Westminster College. And when they take the field at Gesling Stadium to face this unfamiliar opponent the Tartans will look to build on the well-balanced play that has carried them to an ideal 2-0 start.

Back-to-back dominating victories over Hiram and Grove City have showcased each unit’s consistent and imposing play. In eight quarters the Tartan defense has allowed just one score, a third quarter touchdown run against Hiram, and yielded just 162 yards of total offense per game. Led by their talented front-seven and a solid backfield, the defense has forced three turnovers and recorded three sacks while limiting opponents to just over 60 passing yards per contest. Senior defensive back and Division III pre-season All-American Aaron Lewis (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont) has anchored the defense with 13 tackles (8 solo), 1.5 tackles-for-loss and two forced fumbles thus far.

“It’s a team effort,” said Head Coach Rich Lackner, referring to the defense. “Certainly when you have two inside linebackers [James Rogers (Battle Ground, Wash. /Skyview) and Jamie Ploetzner (Rathdrum, Idaho/Lakeland)] who are seasoned vets, they set the tone for the defense. The defensive line is young and inexperienced but they have progressed tremendously just over the first two games. And the secondary has performed very well.”

The offense has been the perfect great compliment to the stingy defense during the two-game winning streak. The Tartans outscored Hiram and Grove City by a combined 49 points while committing no turnovers. Although the running game has been, as expected, the main source of yardage (282 yards per game), the offense has added balance to the attack through the air. Senior Kevin Mulkern (Springfield, Pa. /Springfield) has been extremely efficient with the football, completing 16 of 24 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown. Seven different Tartans have caught passes this season, led by senior wide receiver Jon Kline’s (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) six receptions.

“When you play good competition you have to keep them off balance” said Head Coach Rich Lackner. “Offensively I think we will try to have a balanced attack, both running the ball and throwing. That’s the goal in the back of your mind, but your main goal is to win the football game.”

The ability to throw the ball has enhanced the running game to the point that several different Tartan backs are threats to break the 100-yard barrier. Junior Travis Sivek (Traverse City, Mich. /St. Francis) followed a 22 carry, 104-yard performance in week one with 127 yards on 29 carries against the Wolverines. Junior Robert Gimson (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. /The Benjamin School) ran for two touchdowns against Hiram then led the Tartans’ ground attack versus Grove City with 140 yards on just 14 carries. Junior Colby Whitman (Sarasota, Fla. /Cardinal Mooney) and senior Jon Cakert (Ventnor, N.J./Atlantic City) have also helped carry the load for the Tartans ground attack.

“All four of the backs we play are weapons,” Lackner added. “When you have that ability to spread the wealth around and have the ability of those backs that’s wonderful. I think a lot of the credit has to go to the offensive line too.”

Although both units have excelled in the beginning part of the season, a new challenge awaits the team this weekend. Playing on a new surface in front of their home fans for the first time this season, the Tartans will go up against a program they have not met in 35 years.

Westminster College, who dropped their only game so far this season in week one, 35-10 at home versus Allegheny College, is very young at several key positions. Only two starters return to the defense from last season’s 4-6 team and freshmen carry the load at both quarterback and running back for the Titans.

“Westminster has a great football tradition,” said Tartan Head Coach Rich Lackner. “They have a fine coach in Jeff Hand. So it will be a little bit new for us. We don’t have a whole lot on them but we know they will be well coached. They’ll have good football players and they’ll be ready to play.”