Washington & Jefferson (1-0) vs. Thiel (0-1) 

When: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Where: Greenville, Pa.
Stadium: Alumni Stadium
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.

Gameday Coverage - Follow Live: WJPA Radio | Live Video | Live Stats
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The Series: W&J has won 52 of the 76 all-time meetings with Thiel in a series that dates back to the 19th century. Aside from the shortened spring 2020-21 season, the rivalry has been played every season going back to 1990. Over the last 40 matchups in the series, W&J has dominated, winning 39 out of 40. A 22-game W&J win streak in the series was snapped with a Thiel victory in 2005, only for the Presidents to start another lengthy winning streak that currently stands at 17 games. The Presidents have scored over 50 points in eight consecutive meetings in the rivalry.

Notable Notes:

CHAIN MOVERS: The Red and Black offense picked up 31 first downs in week one, which was good for third in Division III. On the flip side the Presidents' defense held Saint Vincent to just eight first downs, which was the seventh best mark in the nation. This was in large part to a clutch defense that held the Bearcats to one of twelve (.083) on third-down attempts.

PETRISEK POWER PLAY: Senior Owen Petrisek led the Presidents with 60 yards on 6 carries on the ground. Petrisek was the team's leading rusher in 2023, averaged 7.9 yards per carry on 64 carries, which was good for 507 rushing yards.

DYNAMIC DUO: Junior receivers Jacob Macosko and John Peduzzi have been a big reason for the success of the W&J passing attack. In week one, each receiver racked up over 100 yards, with Macosko racking up 158 yards and two scores, while Peduzzi gained 127 yards including a 69 yard touchdown grab.  The game marked the fifth time that the two have reached the end zone in the same game.

PAC WEEKLY HONORS: 
PAC Offensive Player of the Week
Jacob Pugh • W&J • Senior QB
PAC Defensive Player of the Week
Amarion Williams • Bethany • Senior DE
PAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Deven Wyandt • W&J • Junior K/P
PAC Newcomer of the Week
Brett Phillips • Bethany • Freshman QB

PUGH'S PERFECTION: Jake Pugh got off to an excellent start in week one of the 2024 season.  The senior guided W&J to a 59-6 victory over Saint Vincent. Of the Presidents' 578 total yards of offense, Pugh distributed 362 of those through the air, all coming in the first half. He totaled six total touchdowns on the day, dishing out four passing touchdowns, including scoring strikes of 63, 54 and 26 yards in the opening quarter, and rushing for two in short-yardage situations. This is Pugh's second time racking up six total touchdowns in a Presidents uniform, with the first coming last season in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl where he threw six touchdowns. Pugh was honored as the PAC's offensive player of the week in response.