Washington & Jefferson (0-2) vs. #18 Grove City (1-1) 

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Where: Grove City, Pa.
Stadium: Robert E. Thorn Field
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.

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THE SERIES: This season's matchup between Washington & Jefferson and Grove City will mark the 60th meeting between the two squads on the gridiron. The Presidents hold a commanding 45–14 advantage in the series, including victories in 23 of the last 25 matchups. W&J defeated Grove City last season at Cameron Stadium, 27–19, over the then-unbeaten Wolverines. The most recent game in the series played at Grove City's Robert E. Thorn Field came in 2023, when Grove City snapped a 10-game losing streak in the series with a 31–24 win over W&J. The Presidents last won at Grove City in 2021, 28–24.

RICH TRADITION: The Washington & Jefferson football program has won 790 games in its 132-year history (790–407–40), ranking third among NCAA Division III schools behind Mount Union (870) and Wittenberg (807). Widener (733) and Wabash (728) round out the D-III top five. Across all NCAA divisions, the Presidents' win total places them 22nd all-time.

SWEET SEPTEMBER: W&J has enjoyed consistent success in September under Mike Sirianni, going 69–14 (.831) since 2003 in the month.

SINCE WHEN?: W&J has lost its first two games of the season for the first time since 1997, when the Presidents lost three straight. The final of the three losses came against Grove City that season.

W&J VS. THE PAC: The Presidents have claimed 27 PAC championships—the most in league history and more than the next three programs combined. Former members Carnegie Mellon (10), John Carroll (8), and Thomas More (8) trail behind. Among current PAC programs, Allegheny, Bethany, and Grove City each hold four titles. W&J also maintains a winning record against every current PAC opponent:

Team                                    Record (Pct.)
Allegheny                            24-20-1 (.545)
Bethany                                79-21 (.790)
Case Western Reserve        22-19-1 (.537)
Geneva                                50-19-2 (.725)
Grove City                            45-14 (.763)
Hiram                                    11-7-1 (.548)
Saint Vincent                        15-1 (.938)
Thiel                                    53-22-2 (.707)
Waynesburg                        48-4 (.923)
Westminster                        39-7 (.848)
Total                                   386-134-6 (.742)

LOOK WHO IT IS: Head Coach Mike Sirianni has assembled a 2025 staff blending new faces with familiar ones. Sam London joins as an assistant coach after stops at Saint Vincent (offensive coordinator) and Waynesburg. Several recent standouts from last season's roster are staying close to the program as intern assistants: Jacob Pugh '25 (defensive backs), Anthony Rosati '24 (receivers), Owen Petrisek '25 (tight ends), and James Dawodu '24 (volunteer assistant). Two more alumni round out the staff: Jordan West '20 (running backs) and W&J Hall of Famer Todd Pivnick '94 (offensive line).

PAC PLAY: W&J has won each of its PAC openers since the 2017 season. The last loss in the league opener came against Thomas More in week three of the 2016 season.

PAC WEEKLY AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Week:
Caleb Romano    Geneva        Junior QB

Defensive Player of the Week:
Michael Schanck     Allegheny    Junior DL

Special Teams Player of the Week:
Brite Cannon    Westminster    Sophomore WR/DB/KR

Newcomer of the Week:
Marcus Crum Jr.    Waynesburg    Freshman DB

HALFWAY HOME: W&J has thrived under Mike Sirianni when leading at halftime, posting a 152–6 record (.962) in such games

DYNAMIC DUO: Senior wideouts John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) and Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) form one of the best receiving tandems in Division III. In week one, Peduzzi moved to second all-time in school history for both receiving yards and touchdowns. He stands 12 scores behind Jesse Zubik '18 on the touchdown list. Peduzzi also ranks as division three's active leader in both categories. Macosko sits four touchdowns shy of cracking the school's top five all-time.

THE LAST MATCHUP IN DETAIL: The Presidents and Wolverines faced off in a highly anticipated matchup on the evening of October 19 last year. Washington & Jefferson secured a 27–19 victory behind a dynamic passing attack. The Presidents scored three touchdowns through the air, starting with Jake Pugh '25 connecting with John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) in the first quarter, followed by a pair of fades caught by Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) for two more scores. Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) added the other touchdown for W&J on a wildcat keeper in the third.

Grove City struck first on its opening drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak and added two more first-half scores: another touchdown rush and a field goal from Daniel Sullivan. Sullivan would later add a second field goal in the third quarter, accounting for all the points that Grove City scored in the latter half of the game.

Pugh finished the game with 298 passing yards, while both Macosko and Peduzzi surpassed 100 yards receiving, with Macosko recording 160 yards on 13 catches and Peduzzi totaling 111 yards on 10 receptions. Grove City struggled offensively, averaging just 4.1 yards per play and gaining 144 rushing yards on 45 carries in an inefficient outing.

Peduzzi and Macosko have historically thrived when facing Grove City. In three games against Grove City, Peduzzi has racked up 31 catches for 444 yards and six scores, while Macosko has collected 24 catches for 328 yards and two scores in his two starts against the Wolverines.