1970 Westminster Titans football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1970 Westminster Titans football Independent 10–0 Harold Burry 19th Westminster College Memorial Field NAIA Division II national champion NAIA Division II Championship Game W 21–16 vs. 1970 Anderson Ravens Anderson (IN) The 1970 Westminster Titans football team was an American football team that won the NAIA Division II football national championship. They represented Westminster College, a small college in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, with a total enrollment of 1,558 students, competing against other "small" colleges like Texas A&I with enrollments as high as 21,000. The Titans competed as an independent during the 1970 NAIA Division II football season. In their 19th season under head coach Harold Burry, the Titans compiled a perfect 10–0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 284 to 62.1970 Football Schedule Westminster College November 26, 2021 https://athletics.westminster.edu/sports/football/schedule/1970 Burry was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.Harold Burry National Football Foundation December 3, 2021 https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1918 Schedule y y September 19 at 1970 Marietta Pioneers Marietta Don Drumm Stadium Marietta, OH W 26–6 Marietta Drops 26–6 Grid Clash The Lima News September 20, 1970 D16 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89582927/marietta-drops-26-6-grid-clash/ Newspapers.comTitans display strength in opener: Roll past Marietta 26–6 New Castle News Mike Leitera September 21, 1970 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007382/titans-display-strength-in-opener-roll/ Newspapers.com September 26 1970 Susquehanna Crusaders Susquehanna Westminster College Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 38–0 Titans roll to second straight victory 38–0 New Castle News Pete Mollica September 28, 1970 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89582818/titans-roll-to-second-straight-victory/ Newspapers.com October 3 at 1970 Lycoming Warriors Lycoming Williamsport, PA W 28–0 Titans roll along 28–0 New Castle News October 5, 1970 24 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89968278/titans-roll-along-28-0/ Newspapers.com October 10 1970 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg Westminster College Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 51–0 Waynesburg Is Blanked, 51–0: Westminster Deals Severe Blow The Morning Herald – The Evening Standard October 12, 1970 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007045/waynesburg-is-blanked-51-0/ Newspapers.comWestminster gets some revenge 51–0: Waynesburg fourth straight win New Castle News Dan Smrekar October 12, 1970 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007332/westminster-gets-some-revenge-51-0/ Newspapers.com October 24 at 1970 Heidelberg Student Princes Heidelberg Columbian Stadium Tiffin, OH W 40–20 3,200 Titans pull out fifth straight victory: Trounce Heidelberg, 40–20 New Castle News Mike Leitera October 26, 1970 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007228/titans-pull-out-fifth-straight-victory/ Newspapers.com October 31 1970 John Carroll Blue Streaks John Carroll<hc> Westminster College Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 20–6 4,000 Westminster rolls to sixth straight New Castle News November 2, 1970 24 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89582165/westminster-rolls-to-sixth-straight/ Newspapers.com November 7 at 1970 Carnegie Mellon Tartans Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA W 27–7 Westminster rolls to seventh 27–7 New Castle News Mike Leitera November 9, 1970 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007125/westminster-rolls-to-seventh-27-7/ Newspapers.com November 14 1970 Geneva Golden Tornadoes Geneva Westminster College Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 13–0 Titans finish undefeated, awaiting bowl bid New Castle News November 16, 1970 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007179/titans-finish-undefeated-awaiting-bowl/ Newspapers.com November 28 vs 1970 Edinboro State Fighting Scots Edinboro State Taggart Stadium New Castle, PA (NAIA Division II semifinal) W 20–7 6,000 Titans gain NAIA finals after 20–7 victory New Castle News Mike Leitera November 30, 1970 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89581787/titans-gain-naia-finals-after-20-7/ Newspapers.com December 5 vs 1970 Anderson Ravens Anderson (IN) Taggart Stadium New Castle, PA (NAIA Division II Championship Game) W 21–16 5,000 Westminster Tips Anderson, Captures Title The Philadelphia Inquirer December 6, 1970 III-2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89581469/westminster-tips-anderson-captures/ Newspapers.comWestminster NAIA national football champs New Castle News Mike Leitera December 7, 1970 20 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90007256/westminster-naia-national-football/ Newspapers.com Season overview Marietta Westminster opened its 1970 season on September 19 with a 26–6 victory over the 1970 Marietta Pioneers Marietta Pioneers at Don Drumm Stadium in Marietta, Ohio. The Titans out-gained the Pioneers by 319 yards of total offense to 113. Two of Westminster's starting backs, fullback Mark Acerni and halfback Joe Veres, were injured in the game. Quarterback Dave Bierbach threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Roger Price and also scored on a quarterback sneak in the second quarter. John Ebersberger added two field goals and two extra points for Westminster. Susquehanna On September 26, Westminster began a streak of three consecutive shutouts, defeating the 1970 Susquehanna Crusaders Susquehanna Crusaders, 38–0, in its home opener at Memorial Field in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. The Titans' defense held the Crusaders to 35 rushing yards, intercepted four passes, and recovered two Susqehanna fumbles. Linebacker Bob Matthews also blocked and simultaneously held onto a punt which he then returned for 25 yards and a touchdown. Lycoming The Titans recorded their second consecutive shutout on October 3, defeating the 1970 Lycoming Warriors Lycoming Warriors by a 28–0 score at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Westminster quarterback Dave Bierbach completed eight of 12 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Westminster safety Fran Tobias also intercepted a pass at the two-yard line and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown to give the Titans a 21–0 lead at halftime. A thunder storm limited the offensive production in the second half. Waynesburg Westminster won its most one-sided game, a 51–0 shutout against the 1970 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg Yellow Jackets, on October 10. The Titans out-gained the Yellow Jackets by 496 yards of total offense to only 68 yards. After the game, coach Burry said: "The boys play good hard football . . . This team is one of the best I've coached." Heidelberg On October 24, Westminster defeated the 1970 Heidelberg Student Princes Heidelberg Student Princes, 40–20, in Tiffin, Ohio. Westminster quarterback threw two touchdowns to halfback Roger Price in the first quarter to take a 13–0 lead. The Titans then let Heidelberg back into the game by turning the ball over seven times on five fumbles and two interceptions. However, Heidelberg also turned the ball over seven times on five interceptions and two fumbles lost. Homecoming: John Carroll On October 31, Westminster defeated the 1970 John Carroll Blue Streaks John Carroll Blue Streaks by a 20–6 score. It was the 19th consecutive year in which the Titans won their homecoming game. Halfback Joe Veres accounted for the majority of Westminster's offensive output, tallying 69 rushing yards and 32 receiving yards. Veres scored two touchdowns, one on a 24-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter and the other on a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter. Carnegie Mellon Westminster registered its seventh consecutive win of the season on November 7, defeating the 1970 Carnegie Mellon Tartans Carnegie Mellon Tartans by a 27–7 score in Pittsburgh. The teams' total yardage was close (294 for Westminster, 226 for Carnegie Mellon), but Westminster capitalized on its scoring opportunities with four touchdowns to one for Carnegie Mellon. The Tartans also gave up four turnovers on two interceptions and two fumbles. Westminster's junior halfback Joe Veres scored two rushing touchdowns, and quarterback Dave Bierbach threw two touchdown passes. Geneva On November 14, Westminster defeated the 1970 Geneva Golden Tornadoes Geneva Tornadoes, 13–0, in the regular season finale on a muddy Memorial Field in New Wilmington. Westminster blocked three Geneva punts and forced three fumbles. Westminster scored both of its touchdowns on blocked punts in the first quarter. Westminster totaled only 59 yards of total offense and held Geneva to 44 yards. The teams combined for a total of six first downs. Coach Burry blamed the muddy field for the lack of offensive production. NAIA Division II semifinal: Edinboro State The Titans advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs and defeated 1970 Edinboro State Fighting Scots Edinboro State, 20–7, in its semifinal match before a crowd of 6,000 at Taggart Stadium in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Westminster tackle Mickey Annarella played a key role, recovering a fumble at the Edinboro 20-yard line and later blocking a punt at the Edinboro 41-yard line. Defensive back Ken Fassio also intercepted two passes. Westminster coach Harold Burry, who had been at Westminster's helm for 19 years, called the victory his "greatest win ever."'Greatest win ever' – Burry New Castle News Pete Mollica November 30, 1970 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89581787/titans-gain-naia-finals-after-20-7/ Newspapers.com National Championship Game: Anderson In the NAIA Division II National Championship Game, the Titans defeated the 1970 Anderson Ravens Anderson Ravens, 21–16, at New Castle, Pennsylvania. Westminster took a 21–0 lead at halftime and withstood 16 unanswered points from Anderson in the second half. Quarterback Dave Bierbach threw two touchdown passes to split end Dave Milliron. Halfback Joe Veres rushed for 105 yards. Personnel Key players Quarterback Dave Bierbach was selected as the most valuable player in both the semifinals and championship game.Titans top Edinboro; Dave Bierbach is MVP The News-Herald Jack Mays November 30, 1970 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89951478/titans-top-edinboro-dave-bierbach-is/ Newspapers.com Other key players on the 1970 team included linebacker Rich Hancox, offensive guard Fred Blackhurst, halfback Joe Veres, and split end Dave Milliren.Westminster seeks fifth unbeaten year The News-Herald Jack Mays November 10, 1970 17 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89951301/westminster-seeks-fifth-unbeaten-year/ Newspapers.comTitans wearing NAIA crown; Bierbach MVP The News-Herald December 7, 1970 12 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89950783/titans-wearing-naia-crown-bierbach-mvp/ Newspapers.com Roster Offense Mark Acerni, fullback, 6'1", 210 pounds, junior Dave Bierbach, quarterback, 5'11", 180 pounds, senior Fred Blackhurst, right guard, 5'10", 195 pounds, junior Bill Cole, right end, 6'2", 195 pounds, sophomore Bill Fitts, left end, 6'2", 185 pounds, sophomore Pat Johnston, right tackle, 6'2", 220 pounds, senior Scot McClester, left guard, 6'0", 190 pounds, 215 pounds, senior Roger Neel, left tackle, 6'3", 215 pounds, sophomore Roger Price, halfback, 6'0", 175 pounds, senior Bill Sweterlitsch, center, 6'1", 210 pounds, sophomore Joe Veres, halfback, 5'9", 170 pounds, junior Defense Mike Annarella, left tackle, 5'11", 215 pounds, junior Ned Becker, right end, 6'2", 190 pounds, senior Ken Fassio, halfback, 5'10", 170 pounds, junior Don Grimm, inside linebacker, 5'11", 205 pounds, junior Rick Hancox, outside linebacker, 5'9", 165 pounds, senior Bob Matthews, outside linebacker, 6'3", 195 pounds, senior Tom Nebel, left end, 5'11", 190 pounds, junior Marvin Smith, right tackle, 6'0", 210 pounds, junior John Thompson, safety, 5'11", 175 pounds, senior Fritz Tobias, halfback, 5'8", 170 pounds, senior Darryl West, inside linebacker, 6'2", 190 pounds, junior Westminster-Edinboro clash at Taggart New Castle News November 27, 1970 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89952154/westminster-edinboro-clash-at-taggart/ Newspapers.com References Westminster Category:Westminster Titans football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Category:College football undefeated seasons Westminster Titans football