1988 Westminster Titans football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1988 Westminster Titans football Independent 14–0 Joe Fusco 17th Gene Nicholson 17th Memorial Field NAIA Division II national champion NAIA Division II Championship Game W 17–9 vs. 1988 Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles Wisconsin–La Crosse The 1988 Westminster Titans football team was an American football team that represented Westminster College of Pennsylvania as an independent during the 1988 NAIA Division II football season. In their 17th season under head coach Joe Fusco, the Titans compiled a perfect 14–0 record. They advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs, defeating 1988 Bluffton Beavers Bluffton (40–7) in the quarterfinal, 1988 Evangel Crusaders Evangel (26–9) in the semifinal and 1988 Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles Wisconsin–La Crosse (21–14) in the NAIA Division II National Championship Game.1988 Football Schedule Westminster College November 26, 2021 https://athletics.westminster.edu/sports/football/schedule/1988 Schedule y y September 10 1988 Franklin Grizzlies Franklin (IN) Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 43–14 Grizzlies fall to Westminster The Daily Journal September 12, 1988 9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90016944/grizzlies-fall-to-westminster/ Newspapers.com September 17 1988 Findlay Oilers Findlay Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 23–17 Westminster 23, Findlay 17 The Pittsburgh Press September 18, 1988 D9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90017523/westminster-23-findlay-17/ Newspapers.com September 24 at Buffalo Buffalo, NY W 14–12 Westminster 14, Buffalo 12 The Pittsburgh Press September 25, 1988 D8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90017672/westminster-14-buffalo-12/ Newspapers.com October 1 at 1988 Adrian Bulldogs Adrian Adrian, MI W 36–3 1,400 Westminster 36, Adrian 3 Detroit Free Press October 2, 1988 12D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90017777/westminster-36-adrian-3/ Newspapers.comWestminster 36, Adrian 3 The Pittsburgh Press October 2, 1988 D9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90017879/westminster-36-adrian-3/ Newspapers.com October 8 at 1988 Geneva Golden Tornadoes Geneva Beaver Falls, PA W 39–0 Westminster Routs Geneva: titans Second In NAIA Division II Latrobe Bulletin October 10, 1988 15 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90018016/westminster-routs-geneva-titans-second/ Newspapers.com October 15 at 1988 West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats West Virginia Wesleyan Buckhannon, WV W 56–42 Three-time champ Westminster back on top of the polls The Indiana Gazette October 19, 1988 21 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90018588/three-time-champ-westminster-back-on/ Newspapers.com October 22 1988 Waynesburg Yellow Jackets Waynesburg Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 30–0 No. 1 Westminster wins, 30–0 The Pittsburgh Press Chris Bates October 28, 1988 D8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90016001/no-1-westminster-wins-30-0/ Newspapers.com October 29 1988 Tiffin Dragons Tiffin Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 41–0 Westminster 41, Tiffin 0 The Tribune October 30, 1988 14 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90018877/westminster-41-tiffin-0/ Newspapers.com November 5 at 1988 Buffalo State Bengals Buffalo State Buffalo, NY W 21–7 Westminster 21, Buffalo State 7 The Pittsburgh Press November 6, 1988 D11 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90016189/westminster-21-buffalo-state-7/ Newspapers.com November 12 1988 Ashland Eagles Ashland Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA W 14–10 3,162 Westminster 14, Ashland 10 The Akron Journal November 13, 1988 C9 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90019005/westminster-14-ashland-10/ Newspapers.com November 19 1988 Austin Kangaroos Austin Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA (NAIA Division II first round) W 34–12 Top-ranked Westminster roll past Austin College York Sunday News November 20, 1988 C7 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90019215/top-ranked-westminster-roll-past-austin/ Newspapers.com November 26 1988 Bluffton Beavers Bluffton Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA (NAIA Division II quarterfinal) W 40–7 Early breaks launch Westminster past Bluffton, 40–7 The Pittsburgh Press Chris Bates November 27, 1988 D6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/90019448/early-breaks-launch-westminster-past/ Newspapers.com December 3 at 1988 Evangel Crusaders Evangel Briggs Stadium Springfield, MO (NAIA Division II semifinal) W 26–9 December 10 1988 Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles Wisconsin–La Crosse Memorial Field New Wilmington, PA (NAIA Division II Championship Game) W 21–14 NAIA Division II playoffs First round vs. Austin Westminster advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs and faced the 1988 Austin Kangaroos Austin Kangaroos in the first round. The Titans won, 34–12. Sophomore running back Brad Tokar tallied 167 rushing yards in the game. Quarterback Joe Micchia completed seven of 19 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. The Titans out-gained the Kangaroos by 432 yards of total offense to 226. Quarterfinal vs. Bluffton On November 26, Westminster defeated 1988 Bluffton Beavers Bluffton, 40–7, in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Westminster recovered three Bluffton fumbles (two by Andre Borowicz) in the first quarter and converted each of them into touchdowns, taking a 21–0 lead at the end of the quarter. Brad Tokar rushed for 152 yards on 20 carries. Semifinal at Evangel On December 3, Westminster defeated 1988 Evangel Crusaders Evangel, 26–9, in the NAIA Division II semifinal game at Briggs Stadium in Springfield, Missouri. Westminster tight end Jeff Hahn caught two touchdown passes and was named the game's most valuable player. Evangel quarterback Don Decker was intercepted five times.Titans pull out all their guns to whip Evangel The News-Leader Ronnie J. Willis December 4, 1988 D1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89987579/titans-pull-out-all-their-guns-to-whip/ Newspapers.com Championship game vs. Wisconsin–La Crosse On December 11, Westminster defeated 1988 Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles Wisconsin–La Crosse, 21–14, in the NAIA Division II national championship game at Memorial Field in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Westminster quarterback Joe Micchia completed 22 of 44 passes for 302 yards and three touchdown passes to wide receiver David Foley. Micchia had been battling the flu and spent the day before the game in infirmary. Micchia threw his first touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining in the first half to tie the score at 7–7. With 3:35 remaining in the game, Micchia threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Foley, tying the score at 14–14. Westminster forced a punt and got the ball back with 2:38 remaining. On fourth down, Micchia threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Foley for 33 yards. After the game, coach Fusco said: "I've never been in a game like that, not in a national championship game, not with an ending like that."Westminster's Christmas wish comes true in title game, 21–14 The Pittsburgh Press Gerry Dulac December 11, 1988 D6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89987203/westminster/ Newspapers.com References Westminster Category:Westminster Titans football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Westminster Titans football