BURLINGTON, Iowa - The Westminster Blue Jays ran more than four minutes off the clock and recovered a muffed punt to hold off the Iowa Wesleyan Tigers for a 20-13 victory Saturday.
The Blue Jays converted on a fourth-and-1 with a two-yard run by Wyatt Ellis to begin the second quarter.
Three plays later, Ellis was in the end zone after a 37-yard run. Tim Branneky added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 12:41 on the clock.
Ellis totaled 63 yards on 10 carries.
Westminter got a 26-yard field goal from Branneky with 21 second left in the second quarter to lead 10-0 at halftime.
Iowa Wesleyan went three-and-out to begin the second half and Kalyn Davis capped an eight-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown run with 10:18 on the clock. Branneky made it 17-0 with the extra point.
Davis gained 26 of his 115 yards on that drive. He carried the ball 35 times.
Iowa Wesleyan turned a blocked punt into a Hezekiah Hunter touchdown run from four yards out to pull within 17-6 at the 2:18 mark of the third quarter.
Branneky booted his second field goal through the posts with 11:30 remaining - this time from 37 yards out - to put the Blue Jays ahead 20-6.
Jaheem Hampton gave the Tigers a chance at a comeback with a 50-yard fumble return for a touchdown with 4:16 remaining.
Taylor Dobbins gained 12 yards on a third-and-2, forcing the Tigers to call their final timeout with 2:18 remaining.
Branneky punted on a fourth-and-23, Delrick Freeman recovered the muffed punt at the Iowa Wesleyan 22-yard line with just 21 seconds remaining.
Westminster's Corey Kroll and Nik Franklin each intercepted a pass.
Westminster (2-0) will play Saturday, April 24, at Greenville.