The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets (1-2, 1-0 PAC) battled to a victory over the Hiram College Terriers (1-2, 0-1 PAC) in what was nearly a seven hour contest that transpired out of a close to four hour lightning delay that began after the first half of play.

The win was Waynesburg’s first conference play opening win since 2022 when they defeated the Geneva Golden Tornadoes, 37-30.

The Yellow Jackets began the game with the football and went with sophomore quarterback Luke Hudson as the starter for his first career start. 

“Going into the week I didn’t know if I was going to start or not until about midway through the week but preparation was still the same as always,” Hudson said. “I have been preparing for each game as if I’m the starter so that made it nice.”

Hudson led the Jackets to an opening drive score on a swift 7-play 65-yard drive that was capped by senior running back Zayne Cawley’s third touchdown of the season. Kicker Drew Pinkerton’s extra point made it 7-0.

Hiram responded instantly with junior quarterback Sean Tejeda at the helm of the offense. Hiram’s drive went 12 plays for 63 yards and lasted over five minutes. Tejada was 5 for 6 passing for 42 yards on the drive and freshman running back Isaiah Livingstone picked up the score with a 6-yard rushing score, with the extra point making it 7-7.

Hiram took the lead to begin the second quarter of play when Tejada found junior wide receiver Kevin Dycks for a 84-yard touchdown pass.

Waynesburg evened the score after Hudson found junior wide out Tyler Richmond for a 28-yard touchdown grab. The score was Richmond’s second of the season.

The Yellow Jackets would take the lead to end the half after freshman cornerback Marcus Crum Jr. snatched his first collegiate interception. Hudson continued to lead Waynesburg down the field with the drive starting with 2:53 left in the first half. 

The drive seemed to be a loss when Pinkerton missed a 30-yard field goal attempt, but a running into the kicker penalty allowed for Cawley to pick up his second touchdown of the game to end the half.

As the Yellow Jackets and the Terriers made their way to the locker rooms, Waynesburg led 21-14.

When all the players and coaches returned to the field, the skies grew darker. While the teams were stretching, the announcement was made. A lightning delay. Rumors flew rampant during this time. Would the game be played or would the game get postponed?

“Everyone is wondering what’s the process,” Waynesburg head coach Dr. Cornelius Coleman said. “Everyone is wondering are we going to start, how are we going to start warmups, what time is the ball gonna kick?”

Nearly four hours later, the skies cleared, the players returned to the field, and it was time to finish the football game.

Waynesburg did not slow down out of the delay. Cawley picked up 34-yard touchdown, his third of the game on the Yellow Jackets’ opening drive of the quarter as the Jackets extended their lead to 28-14.

“Their defense worked greatly for our offense,” Cawley said. “We were also physically dominating them.”

The score remained that way until Hudson found sophomore wide receiver Elija Jackson for a 15-yard score at the beginning of the fourth quarter

The Terriers responded on the ensuing drive with Tejada finding freshman wide out Devin Tufts for a 33-yard touchdown. The Hiram defense would hold the Yellow Jackets scoreless on the next drive, in which senior quarterback Tommy Burke took over for Hudson. Tejada led the Terriers to one last touchdown drive where he found senior wide out Da’Vaughn Lewis for a 31-yard touchdown grab and it made the score 35-27.

“Especially on the defensive ball there is a lot we are going to hit home this week,” Coleman said. “Just to deal with a lot of technique issues, nothing with scheme issues or personnel issues.”

Hiram held the Jackets and had one last opportunity to score. Tejada led the Terriers all the way to the Waynesburg 18-yard line. On the last play of the game, Crum Jr. would provide another shot of lightning for the defense and pick off Tejada for the second time in the game.

“On the first interception, I saw the defensive line get pressure and by watching film I knew the quarterback was just going to throw it up and I read his eyes and broke on the ball,” Crum Jr. said. “On the second one, it was good coverage. I saw the receivers eyes got big and I turned around and made a play on the ball.”

Crum Jr. finished with two interceptions and three tackles in the contest.

Tejada had a mammoth day, going 29-for-45 for 439-yards and three touchdowns.

The Jacket offense had a strong day with Hudson having a 17-for-19 day, good for 174 yards and two touchdown passes. Cawley finished with 230 yards and three touchdowns in the game. It was Cawley’s third career game with over 200 yards rushing.

The Yellow Jackets will travel to Greenville, PA to face Thiel next week for a scheduled 3 p.m. kickoff.