WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College football team scored early and often during its 55-0 Senior Day victory over Waynesburg University in the regular season finale Saturday afternoon at Cameron Stadium.
The Presidents continued their dominance of the Yellow Jackets. The Red and Black move to 45-4 all-time against Waynesburg. W&J outscored Waynesburg by a combined 111-0 score in the two meetings during the 2021 calendar year. The Presidents previously topped the Yellow Jackets 66-0 back on March 26 during the spring season.
W&J was dominant from the outset, as the Red and Black scored on the game's opening possession. Junior running back Joey Koroly (Washington, Pa./Trinity) plunged into the end zone from one-yard out. The PAT by sophomore kicker Sean Disbrow (Sykesville, Md./Liberty) gave W&J a quick 7-0 lead just four-plus minutes into the game.
Later in the first quarter, senior running back EJ Thompson (La Plata, Md./Thomas Stone) capped a five-play, 58-yard scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown run. The PAT by Disbrow extended the W&J lead to 14-0 after a quarter of play.
Three long pass plays helped the Presidents add onto their lead in the second quarter. A 48-yard catch and run by sophomore running back Justin Huss (Derry, Pa./Derry) from senior quarterback Justin Heacock (New Concord, Ohio/John Glenn) made it 21-0 on W&J's initial drive of the second. Less than four minutes later, sophomore quarterback Colton Jones (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) connected with senior Nick Hrivnak (Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) for a 68-yard catch and run up the near sideline to give W&J a 28-0 edge. Late in the first half, Heacock heaved a pass deep down the middle of the field that senior wide receiver Andrew Wolf (Ashland, Ohio/Hillsdale) was able to grab in the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown reception. The PAT by Disbrow gave W&J a 35-0 lead with 2:28 to play before halftime.
After a defensive stop by W&J on Waynesburg's opening drive of the third quarter, Huss raced 45 yards for a punt return touchdown. The return touchdown was the third of the season for Huss. The touchdown extended the lead to 41-0.
Later in the third quarter, Thompson raced 31 yards for his second score of the day. The PAT by Disbrow made it 48-0 with 7:41 to play in the third. Senior running back Jack Ryan (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) got into the scoring act, pushing his way into the end zone from one-yard out with 2:36 left in the third. The point after by senior kicker Teague Nicolella (Washington, Pa./McGuffey) put the score at 55-0. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.
Jones was efficient through the air, as he completed 14 of 17 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. Heacock completed 8-of-9 passes for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Thompson averaged 14.2 yards per carry on the afternoon, finding the end zone twice on just six carries for 85 yards. Koroly logged 10 carries for 57 yards and a score.
Wolf led the receiving corps with five catches for 66 yards and his touchdown. Hrivnak was the team-leader in receiving yards with 68.
W&J outgained Waynesburg by a 515-175 margin in terms of total offense. Waynesburg quarterback Trevor Miller struggled, as he completed just seven of 23 passes for 46 yards. The W&J defense intercepted Miller twice on the afternoon. Junior defensive back Drew Ehrlich (Annapolis, Md./Gilman School) and junior linebacker Adam Rudzinski (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) had an interception apiece for the victors.
The defense was led statistically by senior linebacker Sean Doran (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) and sophomore linebacker Justin Johns (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) with nine tackles apiece. Senior defensive lineman Will Paczkoskie (Meadville, Pa./Meadville Area) registered a career-high eight tackles, which included 1.5 for loss. Junior linebacker Alex Bellinotti (Lower Burrell, Pa./Shady Side Academy) added eight tackles.
W&J finishes the regular season at 8-2 overall and 7-2 in Presidents' Athletic Conference play. The Presidents will await their postseason fate when the ECAC announces its bowl pairings on Monday afternoon. Waynesburg concludes 2021 with a 2-8 overall record and a 2-7 league mark.
W&J continues dominance of Waynesburg in 55-0 shutout victory on Senior Day
/seasons/2021/boxscores/20211113_gjtb.xml
2021
Waynesburg
0
Washington and Jefferson
55
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesburg (2-8) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington and Jefferson (8-2) | 14 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 55 |
Nov 13, 2021