NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College football team (9-1, 7-0) claimed sole ownership of the 2026 Presidents' Athletic Conference Football Championship following a 44-14 victory over the Westminster Titans (5-5, 4-3).
The victory gave the Presidents outright claim of this year's PAC crown and also completed a second straight undefeated run through the PAC this season, finishing 8-0 in the league. W&J secured the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs with a 42-14 win over Grove City College back on Oct. 31. This marks the 11th PAC title for W&J under long-time head coach
Mike Sirianni and the 29
th in program history.
The Presidents were led by a three-headed offensive attack including
Andrew Sharp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin),
Braylon Wagner (New Bethlehem, Pa./Redbank Valley) and
Joey DeSabato (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area). Sharp headed the ground game with a career-high 249 rushing yards, the most by a President since Roger Snyder in 2000. Sharp also carried the ball into the endzone three times. Wagner went 12-for-19 through the air with three passing touchdowns and 22 rushing yards. DeSabato led the receiving room with 106 yards on six receptions and one touchdown.
Rudy Morris (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley) wreaked havoc on the defensive side of the ball, forcing a fumble and intercepting a pass. The junior defensive back also had a team-high 13 total tackles.
Alex Boyce (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) had the team's only sack.
Antoine Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) recovered the fumble forced by Morris and added six tackles.
Sam Coleman (Steubenville, Ohio/Indian Creek) finished the regular season finale with three pass breakups.
W&J was in control from the jump, scoring 21 first-quarter points before enlarging their advantage to a 44-7 halftime lead. A fumble on Westminster's first offensive play forced by Morris was recovered and returned to the Titans' four-yard line by Smith. Sharp scored the first of his three touchdowns the following play for a 7-0 lead 17 seconds into the game.
By the end of the opening half, Sharp had scoring runs of 4,6 and 1 yard and Wagner had three touchdown passes to three different receivers. DeSabato,
Ethan Wertman (Canonsburg, Pa./Peters Township) and
Drew Mahle (Parma Heights, Ohio/St. Edward) hauled in touchdown receptions. The Presidents also recorded a safety on a fumbled Westminster snap on a punt, helping the Red & Black put up 44 points before the Titans scored in the closing seconds of the half. Despite Westminster scoring the only points in the second half, W&J was able to coast to their ninth win in a row.
W&J awaits its opponent in the NCAA Playoffs which will be officially announced during the NCAA Division III Football Selection Show on Sunday (Nov. 15) at 5:00 p.m.
