The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets fell to 2-4 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference after the loss to the Washington & Jefferson College Presidents.

The loss was Waynesburg’s fourth straight after beginning PAC play 2-0. The combined point totals in those losses were 133-45.

The Yellow Jackets’ next opportunity comes this weekend when they travel to Bethany College to play the Bisons.

“The biggest thing we need to do is play sound defense,” Waynesburg head coach Dr. Cornelius Coleman said. “We have to be solid in our defensive line, solid with the linebackers, and solid on the backend with our DBs.”

The Yellow Jackets defense has struggled to get on track as the PAC season continued, but the Bisons provide a great opportunity to get back on track.

The Bison offense has averaged just 13.9-points-per-game along with 234.6-yards-per-game. Both of these statistics are second to last in the PAC with only the Thiel Tomcat offense being worse in these categories.

Coleman knows that his men must stay focused though in order to get back in the win column.

“The first thing that stands out to me is the wide receiver position,” Coleman said. “I know that they are some of the most athletically gifted receivers we will see all year.”

The Bethany receiving core is led by sophomore wide out Jermain Beersingh who paces the team in receptions with 35 and yards with 366. Jacob Burns, another sophomore wide receiver for the Bisons, leads the receiving group with three-touchdowns on the season.

Junior quarterback Brett Phillips is 79-of-121 for 936-yards and seven touchdowns to six interceptions on the season. Phillips also leads the Bison rushing attack with 264-yards.

Phillips made the start versus the Yellow Jackets last year where he was 21-of-34 for 236 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He added 50-yards and a rushing touchdown in the 34-14 loss last season.

Waynesburg’s secondary will be led by junior defensive back Joanes Polynice among others to limit Bethany’s output. Polynice, a transfer from FCS Campbell, has had a strong season for the Yellow Jackets. Polynice leads the Yellow Jackets in tackles(55), tackles for loss (6.5), and forced fumbles (4).

“We need to focus on executing our individual assignments, there are 11 jobs on the field,” Polynice said. We must stay disciplined and learn how to face adversity when the time comes.” 

Both defenses have struggled this season, with Waynesburg defense allowing 38-points-per-game and 395.4-yards-per-game. The Bison defense, however, has fared worse through 7 PAC games. The Bisons’ have allowed a PAC worst 53.1-points-per-game and 556.4-yards-per-game.

For coach Coleman it is all about getting back to the fundamentals and back to how they started their PAC season.

“We just have to get back to the technical things,” Coleman said. “It starts with taking care of the football and the little things.”

Waynesburg will be without their sophomore starting quarterback Luke Hudson who has a concussion so, the offense will be manned by senior quarterback Tommy Burke III.

Burke made the first two starts of the season for Waynesburg versus John Carroll and Dickinson before Hudson took the reins of the offense. Burke is 2o-of-36 with 224-yards and two-touchdowns to three-interceptions.

“The past few games we have played without confidence, which has been evident,” Burke said. “This week, we made it a priority to reestablish our confidence and to make sure we have fun playing the sport we love.”

Burke also relies on his teammates around him for support such as junior running back Carson Shriver. 

Shriver leads the team with 463-rushing yards on the season he has added five touchdowns on the ground. Last year versus Bethany, Shriver ran the ball seven times for 41 yards and one score in the 34-14 victory over the Bison.

Senior running back Zayne Cawley was the focal point in that game where he rushed for 249-yards and three scores. Shriver will look to emulate that performance this weekend for Waynesburg

“Establishing the run is big this week,” Shriver said. “Coach Phil (Hamilton) has drilled in our heads this week we have to make five or six yard runs turn into 12 or 13 yard runs this week. Whenever they start loading the box we will take shots and let our WR’s eat.”

The Yellow Jacket offense will look to senior wide out Isaac Trout and junior wide out Tyler Richmond to open up the secondary. 

The Yellow Jackets lead the matchup history 9-8 and will look to add on this weekend at Bethany with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.