WASHINGTON, Pa. - The 2025 Washington & Jefferson College football team finished with an 8-3 overall record, making its 28th appearance in the NCAA Playoffs and winning its 28th Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship. The Presidents went undefeated in conference play to earn the PAC's Pool-A automatic bid.
 
The winning season was the 42nd consecutive for W&J, which remains the third longest active streak among NCAA Division III schools. The Presidents will open the 2026 schedule with a road contest against the Utica Pioneers on Sept. 5. The 10-game regular season includes two non-conference games followed by eight PAC matchups. This marks the first season since 1981 that the Presidents will face off with new PAC foe, Saint Francis. The Presidents hold a 2-1 record all-time against the Red Wolves.
 
2025 Season Review - W&J pieced together back-to-back NCAA playoff berths for the first time since the 2017-18 seasons by recording an 8-3 overall record and an untouched 8-0 mark in conference play.
 
W&J opened the 2025 season with a two-game skid against non-conference opponents Utica and Hampden-Sydney. Despite the early season woes, the Presidents' offense managed to score efficiently, totaling 31 points in each game in nonconference play.
 
The season opener against the Utica was the first start of Kellan Stahl's (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) career. The senior did well with 338 passing yards, three total touchdowns and 31 rushing yards. The senior quarterback that waited for his opportunity to command the W&J offense completed 27 of his 42 pass attempts in the 49-31 defeat.
 
A late comeback attempt against Hampden-Sydney fell just short, marking the first time former W&J Defensive Coordinator Vince Luvara faced off against the Presidents as head coach of the Tigers. Following a touchdown to bring the opposition's lead within one score, W&J started a methodical drive which drove them to the Hampden-Sydney five-yard line. Stahl and the W&J offense dialed up a five-yard passing play to Marc Conti (New Castle, Pa./Mohawk) for a would-be touchdown, but it was nullified due to a holding penalty which resulted in the 38-31 loss.
 
The Presidents revamped the outlook of the 2025 season beginning with PAC schedule, opening with the 18th ranked Grove City Wolverines. The Presidents jumped to a 34-0 lead, holding the Wolverines scoreless through the first 40 minutes of play. The secondary created three turnovers throughout the contest, contributed by Dante DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity) and Angelo Volomino (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson). Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) dominated the receiving game with 15 receptions for 180 yards and a touchdown. That marked the third consecutive season where Macosko had compiled more than 10 or more receptions and 160 or more receiving yards against the Wolverines.
 
Stahl and Deven Wyandt (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle) were each named PAC Players of the Week for their performances in the 34-14 victory over Grove City. Stahl picked up his first victory in sole command of the W&J offense, passing for 337 yards (28-for-41) and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 23 yards and one touchdown. Wyandt was flawless on kicks, drilling two field goals from 39 yards to open the scoring and another from 31 yards. The specialist also went 4-for-4 in extra-point attempts. DeRubbo and Macosko were both named to the D3football.com team of the week.
 
With their first victory of the season under their belts, W&J marched through the following weeks with poise continuing with a 70-13 win over Hiram in their first clash since the Terriers rejoined the PAC. The ground game powered the offense's best road scoring output since 1981, seeing three backs score two or more touchdowns. Kobe Derosa (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) led the way with three rushing touchdowns while Andrew Sharp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) and Cam Mulvaney (Hopkinton, Mass./Bridgton Academy (Maine)) each netted two touchdowns. The W&J defense shined for a second consecutive week as they created 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and five interceptions. DeRubbo collected two interceptions for the second-straight week to the lead the team.
 
W&J returned to Cameron Stadium for a homecoming contest against the only other remaining undefeated team in conference play, Westminster. Stahl kept the W&J offense firing on all cylinders, finishing with 321 passing yards (22-for-31) and two total touchdowns. DeRubbo picked off his fifth interception over the past three games while Brock Sherman (Copley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) led the team in tackles with 11 to help the Presidents claim a 24-7 victory over the Titans.
 
The Presidents averaged a total of 56 points in the next two weeks in wins against Saint Vincent and Waynesburg University.
 
Against the Yellow Jackets, Stahl highlighted the day with a record-setting performance in his two and a half quarters of play. Stahl broke the NCAA Division III record for highest completion percentage in a game with a minimum of 20 attempts, going 27-for-28 (96.4%) on the day for 408 yards and five touchdowns. The record was previously held by two John Carroll quarterbacks, most recently Nick Semptimphelter who broke the record this season with a 96.2% completion percentage (25-for-26). Both times the record was set this past season, it occurred against Waynesburg. The W&J defense held the Waynesburg offense to 81 yards of total offense in the 56-0 shutout win.
 
The Presidents played their toughest game of the 2025 conference slate against the Case Western Reserve Spartans, winning the under-the-lights game 28-17. The victory also doubled as Head Coach Mike Sirianni's 200th career victory. With his 200th career victory, Sirianni becomes the sixth active NCAA football head coach to reach 200, and 94th all-time in NCAA history.
 
"Two-hundred means nothing without 201, that's what I'm focused on. Reaching 200 wins means I've had a lot of great players and coaches throughout my career. Todd Young was with me for the first 150 of them, this is for him too," stated Sirianni. "We have plenty more to achieve this year."
 
Following its sixth-consecutive victory, W&J entered the route of securing a share of the 2026 PAC title on the road against Geneva. In a battle between two of the top quarterbacks in the PAC, Stahl shined with a career-high six touchdown passes and 384 passing yards. Stahl completed 20-of-27 attempts in a statement effort. Geneva had no answer for the receiving tandem of Macosko and John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy). Macosko hauled in eight catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Peduzzi recorded eight receptions for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
 
The Presidents defense quieted the vaunted Golden Tornadoes offense throughout the day. W&J registered seven sacks and picked off Geneva three times in limiting the GT's offense to a season-low seven points. Additionally, the Golden Tornadoes were held to negative 21 yards rushing. W&J outpaced Geneva in terms of total yardage by a 503-267 margin in the 49-7 win.
 
The W&J football team concluded its undefeated march through the conference to ensure sole possession of the program's 28th conference championship with a 67-0 victory over the Thiel Tomcats on its senior recognition day. The then 8-2, 8-0 Presidents claimed the Presidents' Athletic Conference's Pool-A automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs.
 
After securing their second consecutive PAC Championship and trip to the NCAA Playoffs, the Presidents were set to square off with No. 22 ranked Susquehanna for the first time since 1994.

The River Hawks held an early one possession lead following the first half of play. A blocked field goal attempt that was returned for a 70-yard Susquehanna touchdown at the end of the second half put the Presidents down 21-17. Late-game heroics by Sam Coleman (Steubenville, Ohio/Indian Creek), who punched a would-be touchdown out at the goal line, and production from the offense brought the River Hawks lead to six within four minutes to go. A thrown interception by the offense and fourth-down conversion from Susquehanna ended W&J's season.
 
"I thought that we were the two best teams (in that bracket) playing in the first round, and we were playing each other. I knew that was going to be a tough game and I knew that they had a lot of guys back from their semi-finalist team from the year before. I also knew that whoever won that game could go on a run, and they did," Sirianni said.
 
A total of 21 student-athletes were honored on the 2025 All-Presidents' Athletic Conference Teams. The Presidents placed 10 student-athletes on the All-PAC First Team, with six offensive players and four defensive honorees. Following an outstanding season, Stahl was voted PAC Offensive Player of the Year. Stahl was also named the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. The Presidents saw nine total players be named All-ECAC selections on top of Stahl.
 
Peduzzi earned recognition as a Fourth Team All-America by D3football.com. Peduzzi put together a stellar collegiate career in the Red and Black, finishing with 54 career receiving touchdowns, a total that is tied with Jesse Zubik for the most in school history. He also ranks second all-time in receiving yards (4,168) and third in receptions (250) in program history.
 

2026 PAC Football Preseason Poll (Predicted order of finish)
School	Points (first place votes)	2025 Record (PAC)
1. Washington & Jefferson College	497 (37)	8-3 (8-0)
2. Grove City College	453 (5)	8-3 (7-1)
3. Westminster College	395 (3)	8-3 (6-2)
4. Case Western Reserve University	361	4-5-1 (4-4)
5. Geneva College	339	6-5 (6-2)
6. Allegheny College	250	4-6 (4-6)
7. Waynesburg University	222	4-6 (4-4)
8. Saint Vincent College	201	2-8 (1-7)
9. Hiram College	152	3-7 (2-6)
10. Thiel College	87	1-9 (1-7)
11. Bethany College	79 (1)	1-9 (1-7)
Saint Francis University*		0-11 (0-7 NEC)

* - Ineligible for PAC Championship as school transitions from Division I 

PAC Players to Watch

Name	Yr.	Pos.	Hometown/High School
Dante DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity) (2)	Jr.	DB	Washington, Pa./Trinity
Grant Lefeld (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) (1)	So.	OL	Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia
Michael Roginsky (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) (1)	Sr.	OL	Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills
Brock Sherman (Copley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) (1)	Jr.	LB	Copley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit
Antoine Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic) (1)	Sr.	DL	Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic

Position-by-Position Breakdown
Sirianni returns seven juniors that served as starters last season, and he will depend on the group to play a bigger leadership role than usual for a non-senior group.

"It's going to be a junior-laden team," Sirianni said. "We have Antoine Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa./Serra Catholic), Michael Roginsky (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills), and Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) back as seniors, other than that it's going to be a younger team."
 
Offense
The offense fueled by Stahl, Peduzzi and Macosko, helped W&J finish as the top statistical offense in the conference in 2025.
 
W&J averaged 43.5 points per contest and went 6-0 when the team scored 33 or more last fall. The Presidents scored 31 and 32, in their losses.
 
Offensively, the Presidents return seven of their 11 starters including four starters on the offensive line and three key playmakers. With the departure of Stahl, the next W&J quarterback could not enter a better situation with the foundation the Presidents bring back this coming fall.
 
The Presidents may look to shake up the offensive philosophy with new offensive coordinator Andrew Cregan.
 
"We'll be less of an RPR (Run-pass-run-option) team and more an RPO (Run-pass-option) team," Sirianni said. "You might even see us underneath the center a little bit. We're going to see more of a power offense - a come at you type of team that can wear an opponent down. I think our line can do that."
 
Quarterback - The Presidents will look to replace the quarterback position for the second-consecutive season after losing Stahl to graduation. Senior Campbell Pivnick (Livingston, N.J./Bridgton Academy (Maine)) returns to the quarterback room for W&J. Sophomores Derek Burk (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes), Kole Olszewski (Houston, Pa./Bishop Canevin) and Luke Goodworth (Mars, Pa./Mars) also return as options at the quarterback position.
 
"There's a lot of great quarterbacks in this conference. But I'm confident that when everything clears at the end of the season, W&J will have the best quarterback," Sirianni said. "There's a reason we play seven or eight JV games every single year. We have two young men that were high recruits for us out of the WPIAL. We also brought in a transfer quarterback that in terms of talent he's every bit as talented as the great quarterbacks we've had here."
 
Running Back - W&J returns two of its three main rushers this past season. The head of the room appears to be Andrew Sharp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin). The dual threat back finished with 811 yards from scrimmage last season with 13 total touchdowns. His 622 rushing yards helped him maintain a 4.1 yard per carry average through his 151 attempts.
 
Luke Edwards (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) returns following his first season as a President last year, bullying his way to 188 yards on the ground. Edwards supplemented the running back room throughout this past season, appearing in all 11 games.
 
"I think Andrew is the type of player who will relish in getting the ball more," Sirianni said. "All great players want the ball, great receivers, great running backs, want the ball, and they want it more. I think he's going to really thrive in that role. Luke is a good player, too. Andrew has worked hard. He's a little thinner. I expect them to have a huge season. I know he's really looking forward to carrying the ball 25 to 30 times a game. I think he'll really excel in that role."
 
Wide Receiver - W&J enters its first season without the dynamic duo from the past two seasons in Macosko and Peduzzi. In 2024 and 2025, both wideouts amassed more than 1,000 yards receiving, becoming the first pair of W&J receivers to reach the milestone in the same season in back-to-back years.
 
The Presidents top returner in the wide receiver corps is junior Joey DeSabato (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area). The shifty wideout finished as the Presidents third top option in the receiving game, wrapping his sophomore campaign with career highs in yards (435), touchdowns (2) and receptions (33). DeSabato finished on the All-PAC Second Team for his time on special teams as a kick returner.
 
W&J will look for some more depth after its top target. Haden Sierocky (Ligonier, Pa./Ligonier Valley) and Marc Conti (New Castle, Pa./Mohawk) are among the others returning at the position. Sierocky hauled in eight receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown this past season. Conti caught two passes for 67 yards in 2025.
 
The Presidents also retain Drew Mahle (Parma Heights, Ohio/St. Edward) who started seven games for W&J as the primary tight end. Mahle will look to remain a key piece in both blocking and receiving roles to this season.
 
"At receiver we feel that we have a really good returning player. I think that Joey is super talented. He was second team all-conference last year with 33 catches and he might have more catches this year than the two All-Americans last year because he might not have to share them," Sirianni said. He added that, "the receiving room right now is a lot more talented than it was at the end of the spring."
 
Offensive Line - W&J returns four of its five starting offensive linemen from a season ago. All-PAC left tackle Elijah Staub (Hanover, Pa./Delone Catholic) was the sole W&J lineman lost to graduation.
 
W&J returns both of its guards from a season ago, Grant Lefeld (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia) and Riley McCaw (Claridge, Pa./Penn Trafford). Lefeld, an All-PAC First Team selection as a freshman last season, started all 11 games at left guard. Lefeld earned the respect of the region, earning a D3football.com Second Team All-Region selection in his first season. McCaw started all but one game for the Presidents at right guard in 2025. 
 
Roginsky rotated from versatile lineman to the primary right tackle this past season through his 11 starts. Roginsky is the sole senior of the starting offensive lineman. The senior finished 2025 as an All-PAC and All-ECAC First Team selection.
 
Ryan Ranallo (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) took the reins at center this past season, starting all 11 games. Ranallo was named an All-PAC Honorable Mention selection following his first season at the center of the stout W&J offensive line.
 
Gabe Hart (Northfield, Ohio/Nordonia), who was the high school teammate of Lefeld, will look to be a contributor this season on the offensive line through. AJ Clemens (Irwin, Pa./Norwin), Vaughn Allie (Pittsburgh, Pa./Westinghouse) and Kean Van Syckle (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) will also look to supplement the offensive line this season.
 
"Our offensive line is really good. We have four starters coming back," Sirianni said. "We feel really good about our offensive line; it's been the position we have recruited best the last few years."
 
Defense
In recent years, the Presidents' defensive unit has been among the best in, not only the PAC, but all of Division III. The Presidents defense finished tied for third in Division III with 38 sacks last season. The unit returns six of its 11 starters from a season ago.
 
W&J allowed 17.5 points per game last year. The unit intercepted 18 passes and recovered six fumbles in total. The Presidents defense lived in opponents' backfield last season, totaling 84 tackles for loss for 344 yards lost and 38 sacks for 225 yards lost.
 
Defensive Line - W&J returns two of its starting defensive linemen from a season ago and will look to replace production left from recent interior defensive linemen, Aidan Thomas (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) and Tyler Primrose (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic).
 
Smith was the Presidents' sack leader last season and will look to do more of the same on the edge in 2026. The senior finished his junior campaign with 7.0 sacks, a team-high 12.0 tackles for loss and 40 total tackles. Smith also created a team-high eight quarterback hurries. The Pittsburgh native was named D3football.com Third Team All-Region, All-PAC First Team and All-ECAC First Team last season.
 
"Antoine is a game wrecker. He comes off the corner and you better double him because if you don't, he's going to get you," Sirianni said of his senior standout. "He's a got a motor that never quits and I'm really excited to see him play his senior season."
 
Kadosh-Harris is the other returning starter for the Presidents from 2025. Kadosh-Harris collected 5.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 30 total tackles last season across from Smith on the edge. Kadosh-Harris was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week following his week eight performance against Case Western Reserve where the junior racked up 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. At the conclusion of the season, Kadosh-Harris was named All-PAC Honorable Mention.
 
Alex Boyce (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) will look to return to the gridiron for the Presidents in 2026 following a shortened season. In seven games, the interior disruptor had 3.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss and 21 tackles. A. Boyce also forced a fumble against Hampden-Sydney.
 
A pair of sophomores will look to factor into the mix on the edge this coming season in Owen Sinclair (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) and Nico Mauro (Washington, Pa./Trinity). Sinclair made crucial impacts on the defensive side of the ball with 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and 14 total tackles. Sinclair also blocked two punts during his freshman season as a key contributor on special teams. Mauro recorded a sack, tackle for loss and seven tackles in five games in 2026.
 
Aidan Shaffer (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock), Connor Reeves (Ellicott City, Md./Glenelg), Matt Boyce (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette), Tyler Bender (Tarentum, Pa./Highlands) and Paul Williamson (Houston, Pa./Chartiers Houston) will look to fill in the remaining gaps in the defensive line.
 
Linebacker - W&J will look to fill the void next to returning standout linebacker Brock Sherman (Copley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) with the departure of Joey Lacey (Bristow, Va./Avalon School) who was lost to graduation.
 
Sherman solidified the starting linebacker role in 2026, finishing as the team's tackle leader with 97 total tackles. The explosive linebacker finished the season with 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, eight quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries. The junior was named one of the top linebackers in the conference as an All-PAC First Team selection and an All-ECAC Second Team honoree.
 
Roclen Bettura (Columbiana, Ohio/Crestview), Lance Brown (Erie, Pa./Harbor Creek), and Brock Spiker (Houston, Pa./Trinity) are in the mix for playing time as well as returning members of the linebacker room.
 
"Brock is the leader of on the team. He's one of one of what I've been around with his skills and his work ethic," said Defensive Coordinator Phil Bobich. "This year we're very excited to see the next step as far as just being more comfortable inside and letting him play freer and I expect a really big year from him."
 
Defensive Back - The defensive back room returns most of its starters, led by All-PAC Second Team selection Dante DeRubbo (Washington, Pa./Trinity). The Presidents will look to replace the production left from recent graduates, Angelo Volomino (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) and Jalen Broxie (Coraopolis, Pa./Moon).
 
DeRubbo finished the season with seven interceptions, which tied for the fifth most in school history. The junior finished with 22 total tackles, five pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2026. DeRubbo was named D3football.com Third Team All-Region and All-ECAC First Team honoree after his first full season starting. 
 
Rudy Morris (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley) looks to continue making an impact as one of the Presidents' returning safeties. Morris racked up the second-most team tackles on the team last season with 53 total. The now junior intercepted three passes and added two pass breakups last season.
 
Coleman and Da'Jahn Telfair (Cleveland, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) both return to the cornerback room, both having starting experience. Coleman finished the 2026 season with 18 tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups. Coleman was responsible for a crucial forced fumble on the goal line in the NCAA Playoff game against Susquehanna. Telfair finished with 15 total tackles and two pass breakups in three games last season.
 
"Sam played very well when he filled in for Da'Jahn who got hurt in week two. So, we have two guys that were starters at that position that played a lot of football," Sirianni said. "Dante can also very easily go play outside. He's our slot corner but he would be outstanding outside, so I love our secondary depth. Rudy played a lot last year as well. This might be the best secondary we've had."
 
Special Teams
W&J returns the bulk of its specialists for the 2026 season.
 
The Presidents' starting kicker/punter last season, Deven Wyandt (Altoona, Pa./Bishop Guilfoyle), returns for a fifth year. Last season, Wyandt was named an All-PAC Second Team selection. In 2025, he went 61-for-62 on extra-point attempts. Wyandt also went 7-for-9 on field-goal attempts, with a season-long kick of 39 yards. In the punting game, he averaged 37.0 yards per punt with 13 punts being downed inside the 20-yard line and six punts of 50 or more yards.
 
Liam Campbell (Sharpsville, Pa./Sharpsville) returns as the primary kickoff specialist after taking the role in 2024. The Presidents will look to fill the long snapper role with the loss of Al Magnelli (McKees Rocks, Pa./Our Lady of the Sacred Heart) to graduation. Jake Mele (Houston, Pa./Chartiers-Houston) looks to serve as the starting holder for a third season.
 
DeSabato handled most of the kick returns and will look to resume those duties along with Edwards. With Volomino being lost to graduation, the Presidents will look to find a punt returner for this season.

A Look at the schedule - The 10-game regular season includes two nonconference games followed by eight PAC matchups. This marks the first season since 1981 that the Presidents will face off with new PAC foe, Saint Francis, holding a 2-1 all-time record against the Red Wolves. The 2026 season will be the 134th season of football for the Red and Black.
 
The Presidents will open the 2026 schedule with a road tilt versus the Utica Pioneers on Sept. 5 before a matchup against the Keystone Giants doubles as the season's home opener and the Presidents' annual Hall of Fame Weekend.
 
Final Words from Sirianni: "We're looking to win this year's conference championship and to make a run at a national championship," Sirianni said. "We're not looking at it as a three-peat or a back-to-back. This year's team is different. We just want to win this year's PAC championship and try to make a run."