It was a tale of two halves.

In the first half, Waynesburg University was able to hang with No. 20 Case Western Reserve University, only trailing by seven points at the break.

However, the second half was a different story. The Yellow Jackets were outscored 24-7 in the latter 30 minutes of the game thanks to stellar quarterback performance from Case Western Reserve quarterback Drew Saxton, who tossed five touchdown passes.

“In the first half we made more plays,” said second-year head coach Chris Smithley. “We needed to get more pressure on [Saxton] but we played to [Case Western Reserve’s] strengths.”

Going into the final game of the regular season, the Waynesburg football team will face another nationally ranked team Saturday. However, the opponent is a much more familiar one in Washington & Jefferson College.

The Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s version of the Backyard Brawl has been a lopsided one. Washington & Jefferson leads the all-time series 41-4, which dates back to 1897. In between coaching stints at his alma mater, Smithley spent four seasons as an assistant coach at W&J, including the last time Yellow Jackets defeated the Presidents back in 2014. Despite the history, Smithley has approached this game like any other.

“Being a graduate [from Waynesburg University], I remember what that was like,” Smithley said. “We still have to go out and play football. Our job is to win one every week. I don’t like to get away from the mindset.”

Smithley’s final collegiate game was against Washington & Jefferson. Current senior John-Glen Davis has played football in Waynesburg for his entire life, going back to his days at Waynesburg Central High School, butSaturday’s game against the Presidents could be his final game in Waynesburg.

“It’s super cool that I potentially get to play my last game in front of my hometown,” Davis said. “Since my brother [Dan Davis] played here, I thought it would be really cool to play with him again. It never really mattered to me what division I was going to play in.”

Davis anchors the linebacking corps and is one of the team’s captains. He is second on the team in tackles and third in tackles for loss.

Both Davis and Smithley praised Washington & Jefferson’s speed on offense. Smithley pointed out the running game as a big improvement over the past two seasons. Davis claimed he feels a difference playing teams like Case Western Reserve and Washington & Jefferson compared to other teams.

“[Washington & Jefferson] is a screen team,” Davis said. “They are more of a quick-pass team to the outside. To me, it’s good football. Fast, running 200 plays a game with that hurry-up offense.”

Smithley also sees the defense as a threat because of the speed of the Presidents.

“[Washington & Jefferson’s] defense is really fast and explosive, especially on their defensive line,” Smithley said. “They fly to the football. Sometimes it seems like there’s 15 of them out on the field.”

Waynesburg and Washington & Jefferson square off Saturday, Nov. 10 with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.