Washington & Jefferson (3-0) vs. #15 Carnegie Mellon (3-0) 

When: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Where: Washington, Pa.
Stadium: Cameron Stadium
Kickoff: 2:05 p.m.

Gameday Coverage - Follow Live: WJPA Radio | Live Video | Live Stats
For more information view the FULL .PDF VERSION

The Series: Washington & Jefferson and Carnegie Mellon square off for the ninth and final time since renewing the series in the fall of 2014, as the Tartans will once again exit the PAC following the 2024 season. Carnegie Mellon has a 36-31-5 lead in the all-time series with the first meeting coming in 1906. Carnegie has won four straight matchups in the rivalry. The last W&J win came in 2018. The Presidents suffered a setback against Carnegie Mellon last fall in Pittsburgh, losing by a score of 35-14.

Notable Notes:

ONE LAST TIME: The storied rivalry between W&J and Carnegie Mellon will take a hiatus after it was announced on September 9 that Carnegie Mellon would be withdrawing as a football member of the PAC to join the Centennial Conference after the 2024 season concludes. With 2024 being the 73rd matchup between the teams, CMU is W&J's third most common opponent after Bethany (99 matchups) and Thiel (77). On the flip side, W&J is CMU's most common opponent, followed by Grove City (63).

CHAIN MOVERS: The W&J offense has picked up 92 first downs in the first three weeks of the season, which leads Division III. On the flip side the Presidents' defense has held opponents to just 27 first downs, which is 21st in the nation and second lowest among teams who have played at least three games. It will be an unstoppable force going against an immovable object in week four, as Carnegie Mellon has allowed just 23 offensive first downs, which is the seventh fewest in the country and the lowest among teams who have played at least three games. 

DIETZ DOMINANCE: Senior defensive tackle Dawson Dietz was named as the PAC's Defensive Player of the week after his performance at Waynesburg. The two-time All American registered a top performance against Waynesburg, contributing to a 55-16 win. Dietz had a nose for the backfield, leading the team with eight total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Dietz's sack in the second quarter stopped a Waynesburg drive and forced a field goal, while his shared sack early in the third quarter came on a third down to bring on the Yellow Jacket punt team.

PAC WEEKLY HONORS: 
PAC Offensive Player of the Week
Scott Fraser • Grove City • Senior WR
PAC Defensive Player of the Week
Dawson Dietz • W&J • Senior DT
PAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Justin Caputo • Carnegie Mellon • Junior K
PAC Newcomer of the Week
Wyman Shaheen • Geneva • Freshman LB

PUGH'S PERFECTION: Jake Pugh has gotten off to an excellent start to the 2024 season. The senior has guided W&J to a 3-0 start, due in large part to his effectiveness throwing the football. Pugh was the PAC's Offensive Player of the Year for the 2023 season. Pugh was also named as the PAC's Offensive Player of the Week for week one. Pugh stands at or near the top of Division III in many passing categories, including first in passing touchdowns (14), fourth in passing yards (997), and second in passing efficiency (221.1).