BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Washington & Jefferson College football team came in at No. 21 in the annual National 2024 College Football Preview Magazine Top 25 poll presented by
Lindy's Sports.
W&J recorded its 40th consecutive winning season last fall when they completed the 2023 season with a strong 9-2 overall record. The Presidents capped the season with a convincing 46-21 win over United States Merchant Marine Academy the ECAC James Lynah Bowl at Cameron Stadium on Nov. 18. The two losses in 2023 came at the hands of Grove City (31-24) and Carnegie Mellon (35-14) in Presidents' Athletic Conference play.
The Red and Black returns 10 starters on offense and nine starters on defense from last fall's roster.
Lindy's has returning two-time D3football.com First Team All-America selection
Dawson Dietz (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) listed on their 2024 All-Division III First Team entering the campaign. The rising senior finished with 67 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks per game last fall. Over the past two All-American seasons, Dietz has racked up 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. Dietz was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week twice in 2023. He recorded a marquee effort in the 2023 ECAC James Lynah Bowl when he finished with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and sack.
Rising senior quarterback
Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) returns to guide the offensive unit. Pugh, who earned both PAC Player of the Year and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, put together a spectacular campaign, as he finished as the conference leader in passing yards (2,984), touchdowns (38), completion percentage (64.7) and passing efficiency (181.4) a season ago. Pugh also added 168 rushing yards on the season and scored three TDs on the ground.
Other key returners include All-PAC First Team performers
John Peduzzi (WR) and
Zach Cernuto (TE). Second Team honorees slated to return are
Adam Kozera (OL),
Jacob Macosko (WR),
Avery Keith (DL),
Justin Johns (LB) and
Zachai Simmons (DB). Earning Honorable Mention laurels that are slated to return are
Anthony Rosati (WR),
Eddie Nicotra (OL),
Ricky Hunter (K) and
Raymond Holmes (TE/HB).
Last year's runner up North Central holds the top spot. Mount Union is second while defending NCAA D-III champion Cortland is third. Wartburg and Wisconsin-La Crosse round out the Lindy's Sports top five.
Joining W&J in the Top 25 are two conference rivals, as Grove City is slotted at No. 11 and Carnegie Mellon comes in at No. 25 in the poll.
W&J, one of the top programs in the history of Division III football, enters the fall with an all-time record of 781-403-40. The Presidents will be under the direction of 22nd year head coach
Mike Sirianni, who has guided W&J to the postseason 18 times including 11 appearances in the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
The Presidents will open the 2024 season at home versus Saint Vincent College on Saturday, Sept. 7. The Presidents and Bearcats will kick off at 1 p.m.
