Football Takes Two Game Winning Streak to Bethany College

Oct. 31 – (PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team will take their two game winning streak on the road Saturday, November 3, as they travel to West Virginia to play the Bison of Bethany College. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at Bethany Field.  This marks the 39th meeting between the schools with the Tartans leading the series 32-6.

The two teams first met in 1912 as the Tartans of Carnegie Tech came away with a 14-6 victory. From 1972 through 1989 the two teams had played annually as members of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). The Tartans dominated the series winning 15 of 18 contests. Since that time, the Tartans have defeated the Bison eight of nine times including the last five.

Carnegie Mellon has had much success in running the football over the last decade and especially against Bethany as they have dominated the ground game.  During the Tartans five game winning streak over the Bison they have averaged 327 yards on the ground including a 434-yard outing, ranking fourth for a single game, in 2004.

When the two teams collide on the gridiron Saturday afternoon Carnegie Mellon senior fullback Travis Sivek (Traverse City, Mich./St. Francis) will look to continue his success against the Bison.  In three games against Bethany, Sivek has rushed for 340 yards and nine touchdowns while carrying the ball 71 times.  Last year he rushed for a series-high 139 yards and four touchdowns at Gesling Stadium.  The 6’0, 245 pound back needs eight points to move into 22nd place on the Division III all-time scoring list.  He currently has 330 points and averages 8.5 points per game for his career.  

The Tartan defense comes into the game forcing six turnovers in the last two games.  Senior linebacker Jonathan Bodnar (Cheswick, Pa./Deer Lakes) accounts for two interceptions including a momentum changer against Washington (Mo.) on the Bears’ first possession of the fourth quarter.  The Cardinal and Gray have forced 13 turnovers in the last five meetings against the Bison, with at least one takeaway in every game.

Bodnar is tied for second on the team with the two interceptions and is second with 52 tackles.  Senior defensive back Jon Scholl (Coraopolis, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) leads the team with 88 stops, 38 solo.  In the Tartans four wins this season they have held their opponents under 300 yards of total offense and under 100 yards on the ground.  The Bison average 393.3 yards per game, 191.2 rushing, but Carnegie Mellon’s front seven have stood strong all season allowing only 96.8 yards per game rushing.  The Tartans pass defense has not been as strong, as they are allowing 195.6 yards a game while Bethany is passing for 202.5.

Bethany’s offensive attack is headed by senior quarterback Milton Joyner who has thrown for 1,506 yards, completing 52% (115-221) of his passes and has 13 touchdown strikes.  Joyner’s favorite target is sophomore wide out Matt Cruse.  Cruse has 42 receptions for 682 yards and seven touchdowns.  Junior Taylor McNeil is Bethany’s second leading receiver with 35 grabs, four going for scores, and 461 yards.  The Tartans defense needs to not only watch out for the arm of Joyner, but the quickness of his running game.  He is tied for the team lead with five rushing touchdowns.     

The Bison defense is led by the senior linebacker core of Bill Wineberg, Kellen Lieb and Chance Kildow.  Wineberg leads the team with 52 tackles, 33 solo, and has seven tackles for a loss of 20 yards.  Lieb stands two tackles behind Wineberg with 50 stops, 30 solo, while Kildow has compiled 38 tackles.  

The Tartans will also be keeping a close watch on the Case Western Reserve / Washington game in Cleveland, Ohio Saturday afternoon. After an 18-13 win over Washington (Mo.) in University Athletic Association (UAA) play last Saturday, Carnegie Mellon kept their hopes alive to claim a share of the UAA Championship.  If Washington defeats Case, there will be a three way tie for the association championship.  If Case comes away with the victory the Spartans win the title outright.