The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets fell to the Capital University Comets on Saturday, 35-12. Not only did the loss sting on its own, but it was also head coach Larry Wilson’s debut at Waynesburg University.

“It’s kind of a tough one to watch,” Wilson said. “The growth of who we want to be and how we want to play showed up a lot…we just weren’t there from the standpoint of executing against another team.”

The Yellow Jackets suffered an offensive drought to begin the season, achieving just 265 total yards of offense on 58 plays and only 12 points.

Senior running back Zayne Cawley had just nine attempts on the ground for 86 yards before being checked out of the game. Sophomore running back Landon Cawley bounced in for a rushing touchdown in the third quarter to give Waynesburg University and Coach Wilson their first points of the season. Senior running back Carson Shriver also found the end zone in the fourth quarter, finishing with six attempts for 24 yards and a score. 

Along with this three-headed tandem, Wilson also deployed freshman quarterback Dominick Hickman in place for senior starter Luke Hudson on multiple occasions. Hickman ended his first collegiate game going 7 for 8 passing along with 79 yards, while Hudson finished 10 for 20 with 85 yards. 

The Waynesburg offensive line allowed four total sacks on the day– three on Hudson and one on Hickman. The one common denominator between all the struggles is inexperience.

“I went into the game not knowing what to expect because we didn’t have a lot of guys that have played a lot of football,” Wilson said. “We got a good understanding of where we’re at now that we’ve played a game. Today we can watch the tape. I fully anticipate us moving forward in a much better light.”

Hudson hinted at some of the same opinions as Wilson for some of the struggles and uncertainty with the offensive line heading into Saturday.

“It takes a little getting used to,” Hudson said. “A lot of them it was their first time playing a game in college. There’s some growing pains that come with that.”

Hudson also mentioned what it was like to work with an almost completely new receiver room.

“We’re all learning an entirely new offense,” Hudson said. “Everyone had to cling onto the same level of knowledge of what’s going on. A lot of the guys transferred in. Colton Lee and Michael Wines are playing much bigger roles than they’ve ever been in.”

Wilson hit heavy on the idea of executing the vision of the Waynesburg team to better perform on the field.

“It’s all execution based. Last year this team was more of a run team, but I don’t believe in that style of football,” Wilson said. “It’s a totally different scheme for these kids, even the ones that were in it last year that didn’t play a lot. We’re more of a spread team where you have to execute.”

After being down 21-0 at halftime, Wilson gave a few words about what he told his players in the locker room.

“They’re waking up in the morning lifting, they’re holding themselves accountable, and I want our kids to be tough and gritty,” Wilson said. “So when adversity strikes, I challenge them to get back after it.”

The one shining moment of Coach Wilson’s debut was the potent defense under new defensive coordinator Matt Tobey.

The Yellow Jackets swarmed the Comets offense with three sacks, nine tackles for loss, one forced fumble.

Sophomore cornerback Marcus Crum Jr. was one of the key factors to this defense. He finished with five solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. 

“Big players make big plays in big games,” Crum said. “I just believe that I’m a big player and I have to make big plays for the betterment of the team.”

Crum talked about how Tobey has established this defense already despite only being here for such a short period of time.

“He always has the mentality of bend but don’t break and never give up,” Crum said. “You can see throughout the whole course of the game we never gave up no matter what the score was or how much time was left, we never gave up.” 

Crum was flagged for a defensive pass interference late in the fourth quarter that ended up leading the Comets to a touchdown. Crum commented on the call.

“I don’t think it was, but you know I do have to get my head around,” Crum said. “I can’t really change what the referee says so I’ll move on from it and get better.”

Coach Wilson, Hudson, and Crum all agreed that the mindset moving forward has to be forget about the past and keep working together on the next assignment.

That next assignment will be when the Yellow Jackets return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 12 against Ursinus College at John F. Wiley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.