Washington & Jefferson (6-1) vs. Bethany (0-6) 

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Where: Washington, Pa.
Stadium: Cameron Stadium
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m.

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The Series: Saturday will mark the 100th matchup in the rivalry between Washington & Jefferson and Bethany. The series is the longest in program history for each team, with W&J holding a commanding 78-21 advantage dating back to the first edition in 1986 (a 36-0 W&J win in Washington). After the bison snapped a 30-game skid in 2013 with a 24-19 win in West Virginia, the presidents have been victorious in the past nine meetings. This has given W&J a 39-1 record in the last 40 matchups in the rivalry. W&J rolled to a 42-7 victory last fall.

Notable Notes:

DYNAMIC DUO: Junior wideouts John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) and Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) have produced week-in and week-out for the Red and Black. Peduzzi has snagged 42 passes for 795 yards and 10 scores, while Macosko has 54 grabs for 704 yards and nine touchdowns. Peduzzi's yardage total ranks fourth in Division-III, while the touchdown total is tied for seventh. Macosko's yardage total ranks 11th and the touchdown total is tied for 12th. Both receivers proved to be effective against Grove City in week seven, with Macosko grabbing 13 passes for 160 yards and two scores while and Peduzzi catching 10 balls for 105 yards and a score. Macosko was awarded as the PAC's Offensive Player of the Week for week seven as a result. The duo accounts for 67.3% of the team's receiving yards and 65.5% of the team's receiving touchdowns, as well as 60.5% of the team's target share unofficially.
 
PASSER PERFECTION: Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) has had an effective season so far for the Red and Black. The senior has guided W&J to a 6-1 start, due in large part to his effectiveness throwing the football. Pugh has thrown for the most yards (2,107) and touchdowns (27) in all of D-III.  Pugh also ranks 16th in passing efficiency (178.7). After being honored as the PAC's Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, Pugh has been awarded as the conference's Offensive Player of the Week after six-touchdown performances in both week one and week six. The senior will look to keep building against a Bethany defense that ranks 162nd in passing defense.
 
NATIONAL RECOGNITION: After defeating #7 Grove City, W&J jumped into the D3football.com and AFCA Top 25 polls this week. W&J earned 119 points in the former, ranking 21st, while also garnering 119 points in the latter poll, which put W&J tied at 25th. Conference foes Grove City and Carnegie Mellon are also ranked in each of the polls, with both teams being in the top 20 of each poll. Conference rival Case Western Reserve appeared in the Others Receiving Votes tab of each poll. As for other ratings, W&J is the 15th ranked team in the Massey Ratings, the 22nd ranked team in the Hansen Ratings, and the 32nd ranked team in the NCAA 's official National Power Index.
 
CHAIN MOVERS: The W&J offense has picked up 185 first downs through seven games which leads Division III. The Presidents have succeeded at moving the ball due in large part to a timely offense which has converted 54.9% of third downs, which is eighth in the division.
 
PRESIDENTIAL PRESSURE: W&J has fielded a strong defense so far this season, allowing just 235 yards per game which stands at 19th in the nation. This is due in large part to a front seven that has consistently gotten to the quarterback. Senior defensive tackle Dawson Dietz (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) has led the way for the Red and Black up front. The two-time All-American has racked up an impressive six sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Senior edge rusher Avery Keith (Hartville, Ohio/Lake) has also been a consistent presence in the backfield, amassing 4.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. As a team, W&J ranks tied for 14th with 21 sacks. Other contributors up front include senior edge rusher Sean Berardino (Millersville, Md./Archbishop Spalding), senior defensive tackle Zach Valentine (Allison Park, Pa./Shaler Area), junior interior linemen Aidan Thomas (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) and Tyler Primrose (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic), and junior edge rusher Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris (Irwin, Pa./Norwin).
 
RECORD WATCH: Fifth year linebacker Justin Johns (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) picked up his 318th career tackle against Geneva, moving him into second place on Washington & Jefferson's career tackles list. Johns trails only Eric Field, who stands just 30 tackles in front. On the offensive side, John Peduzzi's nine touchdowns on the season have moved him into fourth place on W&J's career receiving touchdowns list. Peduzzi's 35 touchdown grabs stand behind Jesse Zubik (54), Andrew Wolf (40), and Aaron Krepps (39). Alex Baroffio and Craig Besong are tied for the fifth spot with 30 touchdown grabs.
 
A LOOK BACK: Last year's contest with Bethany saw W&J claim a 42-7 victory at Bison Stadium. John Peduzzi was explosive in the effort, catching four passes for gains of 63, 53, 24, and 21. Two of the receptions went for scores as Peduzzi finished with 161 yards. Anthony Rosati also found the endzone twice, amassing 97 yards on five catches. Jake Pugh finished with five touchdowns in the game with the other going to Kobe DeRosa on a 12 yard pass. Bethany scored just once, on a 12 yard pass from Kayrus Sam to Trevon Dean. The Presidents outgained the Bison 514 to 315 and each team turned the ball over once.
 
SHARING THE LOAD: The Presidents have found success utilizing a committee approach in the backfield. Senior Owen Petrisek (Ellsworth, Pa./Bentworth) has led the way on the ground, averaging 6.1 yards on 65 carries for a net of 395 yards. The Presidents leading rusher from 2023 has found the endzone three times this season. Junior Kobe DeRosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) has been the dynamic threat out of the backfield for W&J. DeRosa has racked up 385 scrimmage yards (211 rushing and 174 receiving) and has scored nine touchdowns. Junior Troy Volpatti (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) has also gotten into the mix in the Presidents' run game.
 
POCKET PROTECTORS: The big men up front have been a big reason for W&J's success this season, as Presidents' passers have taken just five sacks through seven games. This included last week's performance against what has been a dominant Grove City front seven. The Wolverines had been averaging a staggering three sacks per game, but could only sack Jake Pugh once, for a loss of four yards. The tackles for W&J were junior Elijah Staub (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) and sophomore Michael Roginsky (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) were tasked with neutralizing All-American edge rusher Ben Bladel. The duo held strong, giving quarterback Jake Pugh time to operate. The interior offensive line consisted of junior Brayden Penwell (New Castle, Pa./Wilmington) and fifth year Adam Kozera (Sharpsburg, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) at the guard spots, with senior Grant Cullen (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Central Catholic) at center. Senior tight ends Zach Cernuto (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) and Raymond Holmes (Verona, Pa./Serra Catholic) also were key blockers for the Presidents.
 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- Fifth year linebacker Justin Johns (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) currently stands at 331 career tackles, putting Johns in second place on Washington & Jefferson's career tackles list. Johns trails only Eric Field, who stands just 17 tackles in front.
- John Peduzzi's ten touchdowns on the season have moved him into fourth place on W&J's career receiving touchdowns list. Peduzzi's 36 touchdown grabs stand behind Jesse Zubik (54), Andrew Wolf (40), and Aaron Krepps (39). Alex Baroffio and Craig Besong are tied for the fifth spot with 30 touchdown grabs.
- Peduzzi stands 164 receiving yards away from 3,000 for his career (2,836).
- Jake Pugh threw for his 80th career touchdown last week against Grove City and stands at 6,480 passing yards in his accomplished career.
- Senior running back Owen Petrisek surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards on a four yard carry against the Wolverines.
- With 12 tackles in week seven, fifth year linebacker Keaton Hall surpassed 150 career tackles.
- Dawson Dietz is approaching some notable career milestones standing at 198 total tackles, 48.5 tackles for loss, and 23.5 sacks in his career.
- Senior tight end Zach Cernuto currently sits at 9 receiving touchdowns in his career, and 18 overall scores.