Waynesburg University has not seen sustained success on the gridiron in a near decade, but with 4-5 Geneva being the last game on the upcoming schedule, the fate of a .500 or losing season is determined by week 10 results.

Head coach of Waynesburg University, Cornelius Coleman, nears the end of his third year as head of the football program, and since taking over at the start of the 2022 season, Coleman has an overall record of 10-19, entering his 30^th game while in charge.

Over the past two seasons, Coleman has added and improved his staff with one of the more noted additions during that time coming in defensive coordinator, Dave Arnold.

“During my first year, I was the defensive coordinator as well as the defensive line coach and head coach all at once, so it was definitely a lot of responsibility,” Coleman said. “Having coach Arnold around allows me be the best head coach, not only to this program, but this University as a whole.”

Coleman also spoke about the players’ trust in Arnold.

“I feel as if the confident and aggressive play stems from the players not only trusting his scheme, but during the learning process, being able to gel together as a unit and understand each other’s roles.”

Waynesburg’s defense is powered by a mix of a few veteran seniors, with the rest being mostly players from the sophomore and junior class.

Headed by senior players such as linebacker Jemuel Cypress, safety Brennan Boron and defensive end Jack Nagy, Waynesburg University was able to hold Thiel to 10 points  en route to a 37-10 victory.

Cypress finished with 13 tackles, while Boron and Nagy combined for seven.

Being .500 or finishing 4-6 can precede detrimental effects when it comes to recruiting, withNagy speaking on what a 5-5 record would mean for this program moving forward.

“Finishing .500 for this program moving forward would bring back a football culture and school that has been missing it for the past decade,” Nagy said. “By finishing .500, it would set a foundation for the program years after and will allow the team to address weaknesses in the offseason.”

Waynesburg University will need to address the quarterback situation over the winter due to the impending graduation of Samuel Barber.

Barber has been the programs quarterback for the last two seasons, and has taken exceptional leaps in the second half of his senior season, including two 300-yard performances in the back half of the 2024 season.

Even with Barber’s notable performances, the driving force of the Waynesburg offense has been running back, Zayne Cawley.

Cawley leads the Presidents’ Athletic Conference with 1280 scrimmage yards as well as notching 10 touchdowns.Cawley spoke on the program’s outlook for the future, as well as his plans to return for his final year of eligibility

“I think finishing .500 means we are moving this program in the right direction,” said Cawley. “If we are able to finish 5-5, it will be a huge steppingstone for the future of this program, while bringing a lot of motivation for next year. More recruits will be willing to come because everyone wants to be a part of a winning culture,” Cawley finished.

The Waynesburg University travelsNorth to face Geneva College for the conclusion of the 2024 PAC regular season on Saturday, Nov. 16.