Westminster lets down in fourth quarter of UMAC loss to Iowa Wesleyan

The Blue Jays erased a two-touchdown halftime deficit, but the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers logged the game's final 16 points to secure a 37-21 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference win on Saturday.

Westminster (4-3, 4-2 UMAC) drew the game to a 21-all tie on senior quarterback Joe Plassmeyer's 6-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Jack Williams with 1 minute, 42 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

The Tigers (5-2, 5-1) forced the Blue Jays into a safety to regain the lead with 12:34 left in the game. Quarterback Caleb Huss scored plunged for a 1-yard score with 6:43 to go to lengthen Iowa Wesleyan's advantage to 30-21. Ronald Drummer returned an interception of Plassmeyer 60 yards for the contest's final touchdown.

Huss opened the day's scoring when he connected with Raul Becerril on a 68-yard touchdown with 6:13 left in the opening quarter. He pushed the Tigers' advantage to two touchdowns on a 38-yard scoring toss to Marc Ballatori with 11:57 to go in the second, then upped the lead to 21-0 on a 1-yard run with 2:44 remaining in the half.

Plassmeyer and junior wide receiver Austin Kempker hooked up on a 24-yard touchdown to get Westminster on the scoreboard with only :20 left in the half. Junior fullback Jantzen Bradford got the Blue Jays to within a touchdown on a 1-yard plunge with 10:50 to go in the third.

Plassmeyer completed 26-of-41 passes for 186 yards and a pair of interceptions. Williams had 38 yards receiving on a game-high six catches, while Kemper led Westminster with 54 yards on four grabs.

Huss led all players with 104 yards rushing on 20 carries, while hitting on 10-of-18 passes for 160 yards and two picks.

The Tigers outgained the Blue Jays in total yardage 339-254.

Westminster hosts UMAC foe University of Northwestern (Minnesota) at 1 p.m. this Saturday in its homecoming game.

The Eagles (6-1, 5-1) held off Greenville for a 35-28 league win last week.