WASHINGTON, Pa. – Junior quarterback Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) accounted for four touchdowns and junior defensive back Zachai Simmons (Hawthorne, N.J. / Linsly (W. Va.)) blocked a punt and intercepted a second half pass as the Washington & Jefferson College football team bounced back with a 38-33 victory over Case Western Reserve University Saturday evening at Cameron Stadium.
The win improves the Presidents record to 6-2 overall. The Spartans, who were riding a five-game winning streak entering the game, falls to 6-2 overall.
Pugh piloted the Presidents to a scoring drive on its opening drive of the game. Pugh capped a seven-play, 79-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run on a third-and-one play. A 40-yard completion to junior wide receiver John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) pushed W&J into CWRU territory on the touchdown drive.
W&J doubled its lead later in the quarter when Pugh found Peduzzi for a five-yard touchdown. The touchdown is the 13th of the season for Peduzzi. Ricky Hunter (Freeport, Pa./Freeport) tacked on the point after to extend the W&J lead to 14-0 at the 4:18 mark of the first.
CWRU responded early in the second quarter when Alex Fromberg hit Noah Coyne for a six-yard connection. The Coyne TD finished off an eight-play, 82-yard drive for the Spartans.
A little more than four minutes later, Hunter drilled a 33-yard field goal to push W&J's lead to 17-7. Following a quick three-and-out, CWRU was forced to punt. Simmons came up with the block, which was picked up by sophomore Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa. / Laurel) who gave the Presidents the special teams score. The PAT by Hunter swelled the W&J lead to 24-7 at the 9:15 mark of the second.
The visiting Spartans were able to cut into the deficit just before halftime. A 23-yard connection between Fromberg and Coyne made the score 24-14 with 53 seconds left in the second quarter.
CWRU carried that momentum into the second half. The Spartans received the opening kickoff and marched 82 yards on 10 plays into the end zone. A third passing TD by Fromberg cut the W&J lead to 24-20 at the 11:30 mark.
W&J was quick to respond and regain momentum. The Red and Black marched 82 yards on 14 plays for one of its best drives of the season. A pair of key receptions by sophomore receiver Nick Wilson (Salem, Ohio / West Branch), including a 20-yard reception on a 4th and 11 play, kept the drive alive for the Presidents. On the very next play, Pugh hit sophomore Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) for a nine-yard touchdown reception with 5:14 showing on the third quarter clock. The point after by Hunter gave W&J some breathing room at 31-20.
The Presidents' defense was able to come through with a defensive stop on the ensuing CWRU possession. A sack by senior linebacker Keaton Hall (Dover, Ohio/Dover) on third down forced the punt. W&J was able to march 84 yards on just six plays to extend its lead to three scores. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Pugh hit Macosko with a 47-yard heave to make it 38-20 Presidents.
CWRU scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, a 37-yard touchdown reception by Coyne and a three-yard run by Gage Duesler, to trim the Presidents lead to 38-33 with 6:20 to play.
The Spartans got the ball back with 2:49 remaining. However, the Presidents defense was up to the task late as a 4th and 13 pass by CWRU fell innocently to the turf with 1:11 to play. W&J was able to move into victory formation to secure the victory.
Pugh completed 20-of-35 pass attempts for 275 yards. The junior signal caller finished with four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and committed no turnovers.
Macosko finished with seven receptions for a team-high 107 yards. He hauled in a pair of touchdowns for a third-straight game. Peduzzi finished with 87 yards and a score.
Justin Johns (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) posted a team-high eight tackles. Avery Keith (Hartville, Ohio/Lake) had six tackles and two sacks. Simmons' big day included an interception, a blocked punt and six tackles.
CWRU edged W&J in total offense (446-431) but W&J won the turnover battle. W&J limited CWRU to just 44 yards rushing. The Presidents converted 9-of-17 on third downs.
W&J travels to Geneva College for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 4.
W&J uses strong start to earn 38-33 victory over CWRU
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20231028_dz3z.xml
2023
Case Western Reserve
33
Washington and Jefferson
38
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case Western Reserve (6-2) | 0 | 14 | 6 | 13 | 33 |
| Washington and Jefferson (6-2) | 14 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
Oct 28, 2023