WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College football team (1-1) picked up its first victory of the 2026 season against the visiting Keystone Giants (1-1) by a score of 42-0.
Derek Burk (Gibsonia, Pa./Deer Lakes) got his first start in a W&J uniform and performed well. The sophomore quarterback 10-for-12 through the air for 169 yards and two passing touchdowns. Burk also rushed for 10 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Andrew Sharp (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) rushed for 92 yards and on touchdown on the ground to lead the running back room.
Joey DeSabato (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area) led the receiving core with 124 yards and one touchdown.
AJ Alston (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) hauled in four receptions for 65 yards and his first touchdown in Red & Black.
Defensively,
Alex Boyce (McDonald, Pa./South Fayette) had a standout day for the Presidents. The interior defensive lineman had 2.5 sacks, 4.0 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and five total tackles.
Nathaniel Kadosh-Harris (Irwin, Pa./Norwin) had one sack, three total tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. The senior also had a defensive touchdown off a fumble.
The Presidents opened the contest with a nine-play 55-yard drive down the field for the first score of the game. On a fourth and goal from the five-yard line, Burk scampered in for a five-yard rushing touchdown, 7-0. Following a three and out for the Giants, W&J got their offense in a position to strike again. First down catches from Alston and
Drew Mahle (Parma Heights, Ohio/St. Edward) got the drive moving. Pounding the rock to the goal line,
Luke Edwards (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown, 14-0.
After creating another three and out, the Presidents dialed up a 55-yard touchdown pass to DeSabato to kickoff the second quarter, 21-0. The Presidents pinned Keystone within the 10-yard line on the following kickoff thanks to a holding penalty on the Giants. Two plays into the Keystone drive, Kadosh-Harris picked up a fumble recovery at the three-yard line and returned it for a quick score, 28-0.
Fending off Keystone's best drive of the day, the Presidents managed to regain possession with 10:58 left in the second quarter. W&J trotted down the field and tossed a 24-yard touchdown on fourth and nine to Alston, 35-0. A six-yard rushing touchdown by Sharp capped the scoring in the 42-0 victory for the Presidents.
The game went into a weather delay at halftime before eventually being called due to heavy storms that hit the local area.
The Presidents enjoy a week break before returning to the gridiron on Saturday (Sept. 26) where they will face the Case Western Reserve Spartans in their Presidents' Athletic Conference opener. Kickoff is set for a 7:00 p.m. start.
