WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 14) – The Waynesburg University football team (0-5) is still searching for its first win of the season, and on Alumni Day they will host Saint Vincent College (2-3). 

“There’s no added pressure to win because it’s alumni day,” Waynesburg University head coach Dr. Cornelius Coleman said, “We want to win because it is the next game for our program, and next game for our athletes.”

The Yellow Jackets are coming off of their bye week, meanwhile the Bearcats modest two game win streak came to an end after a 19-0 loss to the Case Western Reserve Spartans. 

The series between Waynesburg and Saint Vincent began back in 1929, and of the games recorded Waynesburg leads the series 21-16-4. 

Last season Saint Vincent got the best of Waynesburg 53-16. But both teams have a big offensive void no longer having the starting quarterbacks from the Nov. 5 matchup last year. 

Saint Vincent has taken a huge step back when it comes to offensive production. Last season Saint Vincent averaged 18.8 points per game (PPG) through its first five games, this season they currently average 10.2 PPG. 

“No matter TD to INT passing ratings, every team will try to come out and establish a running game… They have some young RB’s with a good ability to break runs.” Coach Coleman said. 

Saint Vincent is tied for the worst TD to INT in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (1-7), and the running back leader is freshman Ty Martin currently averaging 52.40 yards per game (YPG) and the team last in the conference averaging 87.0 YPG. 

The 0-5 start for Waynesburg is its worst start since 2017 when the team lost its first seven games of the season. The 2017 team did not win its first game till after the bye week, similar to this season’s storyline.

“We’re just beating ourselves and opposing teams aren’t really beating us out right.” Said Arnold. In reference to the 108.6 penalty YPG that Waynesburg averages, 27.1 more YPG than the next PAC team. The team has eight unsportsmanlike penalties and nine personal fouls against them. 

Still on the topic of penalties Arnold continued with “We’re not playing the best, so we have to play to the point where Waynesburg doesn’t beat Waynesburg.”

The Yellow Jackets have not beat Saint Vincent since 2018, and it was a measly 12-10 victory that had just one touchdown to each team’s name. 

This is a game with more weight to it than just getting the first win of the season, after the incident in Indiana, PA that three Waynesburg University students were injured. 

“Please pray for all involved in this tragedy, for their medical team, for the recovery of our students and for the strength and comfort for their family and friends.” Vice president of Institutional Advancement and University Relations Stacey Brodak wrote in an email to Waynesburg University students. 

“We’ll play with those guys on our mind… our team will want to win and play hard for those guys,” said Arnold. “That should be enough motivation in itself to come out and do our job well and get a win.”

Waynesburg University and Saint Vincent will kickoff at John F. Wiley Stadium at 1 p.m. You can find coverage on radio, television or live stats over at the Waynesburg University athletics website.