GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College Football Team worked their way to their second-straight win of the season against the Thiel Tomcats, 58-7.
 
W&J left off right where they started as their offense trotted down the field during the first drive of the game for six. Junior running back Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) hit paydirt as he found his way into the endzone for the first points of the bout. For the remainder of the first quarter of play, both units were held at bay.
 
After minimal scoring in the first, W&J exploded offensively before the half, scoring four touchdowns throughout the quarter. Senior quarterback Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) dished out his first touchdown of the night to junior wide receiver Zack Seaman (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) on a 21-yard pass. When the Presidents regained possession, courtesy of the stout W&J defense, Derosa trotted into the endzone for the second time of the night.
 
On the first play of the proceeding Tomcat drive, Carson Laconi (Butler, Pa./North Catholic) picked off the Thiel quarterback to instantly return the ball into the hands of Pugh and the offense. Pugh took full advantage of the gifted drive from their defense and dialed up a 26-yard pass to John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) for another quick six points. After a failed W&J extra-point attempt, defensive playmaker Zachai Simmons (Hawthorne, N.J./Linsly (W. Va.)) recovered a fumble from the Tomcats returner to give the Presidents another quick shot at scoring before the close of the half.
 
W&J did just that and extended their lead to 34 after Pugh found tight end Zach Cernuto (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland) for a four-yard touchdown. The Presidents would take a commanding 34-0 lead heading into the half.
 
Seeing their first action of the season in the third quarter for the offensive starters, the Presidents got right to work as Pugh connected with the shifty Anthony Rosati (Chardon, Ohio/Perry) for his first touchdown of the season. The drive signified the conclusion of the night for the starters in another dominant performance.
 
Kellen Stahl (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) took over at quarterback for W&J after the four-touchdown performance from Pugh. Stahl's first pass of the game didn't go as planned, as the Tomcat secondary managed to intercept the Presidents backup and prance into the endzone for Thiel's first score of the game. W&J benefited from an 84-yard return on the following kickoff from Derosa to set up the young Stahl in scoring position. After shaking off the rust, Stahl found Cernuto for his first touchdown of the season on the six-yard catch and score, taking a 48-7 lead into the fourth.
 
In the fourth, Stahl methodically led the offense down the field to open the quarter for an additional score. Stahl found Roberto Smith (Jeannette, Pa./Jeannette) for the six-yard touchdown to grow the score to 55-7. In a form of déjà vu, the Presidents had Ricky Hunter (Freeport, Pa./Freeport) come on to launch a made 21-yard field goal to cap off the scoring for both sides, 58-7.
 
The Presidents defense held their second-straight opposing offense to under 80 yards of passing offense, allowing only 11 receptions. Brock Sherman (Copley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) led the Presidents in tackles with six followed by Simmons and Justin Johns (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) with five each. Both Brandon Brown (Monessen, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) and Laconi picked off the Tomcat passer in the Presidents first two interceptions of the season.
 
Thanks to holding the Thiel offense in check, the Presidents clicking offense registered another booming day, totaling 510 yards from scrimmage. Pugh distributed 280 yards of those yards with four touchdowns through the air. Cernuto headed the receiving core in scoring with two touchdowns. Peduzzi led the team in receiving yards with 66 while Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) led the team in receptions with five for 57 yards.
 
Through the ground, Dom Barca (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) rushed for 57 yards on four attempts to lead all Presidents through the ground. Derosa was the lead back through the first couple quarters and recorded two rushing touchdowns and 51 yards between the tackles.
 
W&J will remain on the road this coming weekend as they look to take on the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets on Saturday (Sept. 21). Opening kickoff is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m.