WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College Football Team logged their first win of the 2024 season in their home opener over Saint Vincent.
 
The Presidents kicked off their scoring barrage right out of the gates in the first half after logging a 63-yard touchdown to Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) to open the quarter. After reclaiming possession, the Presidents' PAC Offensive Player of the Year, Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson), found an open Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) who would take a short route to the endzone for another 50+ yard touchdown within the first four minutes of play.
 
Following a quick three-and-out by Saint Vincent, W&J jumped at the opportunity to score again as the Presidents offense found their way into the endzone for six again. Thanks to an offside penalty on Saint Vincent, Pugh was able to squeeze into the endzone on a designed quarterback run to the left side.
 
W&J continued to add in the first quarter, as Pugh found Macosko again for a 26-yard touchdown.
 
Minutes into the second quarter, Derosa found open turf again as he cruised in for his second touchdown of the day after enforcing a hearty stiff arm to a Bearcat defender, 35-0. In a neighboring drive, Pugh heaved up his longest throw and catch of the night to touchdown magnet John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) who would trot his way down the field for a 69-yard score. With shades of Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles, the Presidents utilized a "Tush Push" formation to squeeze in Pugh for his sixth and final touchdown of the game and second on the ground making it, 49-0 at the half.
 
Out of the half, W&J added a five-yard rushing touchdown from Dom Barca (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) to bring the score to 56-0 at the end of the third.
 
With a second-straight shutout season opener victory in the balance, the Presidents added a field goal from Ricky Hunter (Freeport, Pa./Freeport) who taped in the extra three-points. Late in the fourth, the Bearcats discovered some late momentum through the run game and found their way to the endzone for their first six points of the year. The Presidents would go on to close out the bout in a lopsided 59-6 outcome.
 
The suffocating Presidents defense held the Bearcats to under 40 yards of passing offense and four total completions. Tyler Primrose (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic) led the Presidents in tackles and tackles for loss with seven and two, respectively. Carson Laconi (Butler, Pa./North Catholic) also logged a great day at corner, creating two pass breakups.
 
After continually holding the Saint Vincent offense at bay, W&J' high-powered offense registered a total 578 yards from scrimmage. Pugh distributed 362 yards of that total along with six total touchdowns, four passing and two rushing. The two-headed receiving duo of Macosko and Peduzzi combined for 285 yards and three touchdowns together.
 
Through the ground, Owen Petrisek (Ellsworth, Pa./Bentworth) rushed for 60 yards on six attempts to lead all Presidents through the ground. Derosa found success both in the running game and through the air, tallying 94 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns.
 
The Presidents have now won 14-straight season openers. W&J improves to 23-2 in season openers since 2000. 
 
W&J will hit the road for the first time in 2024 as they look to face the Thiel Tomcats on Saturday (Sept. 14). Opening kickoff is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m.