WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 14) – The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets 24-0 win over the Saint Vincent College Bearcats not only snapped an eight-game losing streak but achieved something that had not been done in nine years.  

The Yellow Jackets 24-0 victory over the Bearcats was the football team’s first shutout win since Oct. 4, 2014. That year also dates back to the last time the Jackets finished with a winning percentage above .500 (8-3).   

“It feels good to see a team victory,” Waynesburg University head coach Dr. Cornelius Coleman said. “From the offense, defense and special teams’ standpoint it was a full team victory.” 

The Yellow Jackets put together their best all-around performance yet. The offense totaled its most yards (411) and highest time of possession (36:50), and the defense gave up its fewest yards of offense (138).  

Waynesburg went into halftime with a 10-0 lead courtesy of quarterback Samuel Barber connecting with wide receiver Isaac Trout, and kicker Ricco Sastoque making a 45-yard field goal.  

Dakota Romantino was back in the lineup this week after missing Waynesburg’s previous three games with an injury. Romantino went into halftime with seven receptions for 127 yards.  

“The biggest things about Dakota being a part of our offense is not just what he can do individually, but it is how he can distribute wealth for our offense. Coleman said.  

After a successful first half passing the ball, the weather took a turn and the Yellow Jackets had to turn to the ground game as it was a downpour for the entire second half.  

“It’s not like we were going to abandon anything,” Coleman said. “But at that given point the weather, and God’s plan was to go out and establish the run game.  

In the second half the Yellow Jackets passed for just four yards, while accumulating 138 yards on the ground with running backs Justin Flack, Zayne Cawley and quarterback Barber.  

Flack provided the final two touchdowns for Waynesburg grabbing a 12-yard touchdown from Barber, and a 5-yard rushing touchdown in the final three minutes.  

Defensively the Jackets did exactly what defensive coordinator Dave Arnold said they were going to do.  

“We knew that if it continues to be wet and the rain falls, that the ball will be on the ground,” Arnold said. “We talked about it all week long.” 

The Waynesburg defense allowed its season low in yards (138), totaled seven tackles for a loss (TFL), forced three fumbles, recovered two of them, and accumulated three sacks. All three sacks were provided by one of Waynesburg’s athletes of the week senior Chase Nicomatti.  

”The linebackers and defensive backs did an amazing job, and the other defensive linemen gave me an opportunity to make a play.” Nicomatti said.   

The Yellow Jackets will make the 179-mile trip up to Cleveland, Ohio on Oct. 21 to face the Case Western Reserve Spartans (5-1). Waynesburg has not beat Case Western Reserve since 2014; the initial meeting between the two teams.  

“It’s a three-to-four-hour ride so we’ll get our mindset right and focused on the game,” Arnold said. “Whatever the gameplan may be just try to execute and come home with a victory.”