Waynesburg Univ falls short of historic upset against W&J in season fianle

The Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets shut down the Washington and Jefferson College Presidents in the second half and achieve something that had not been done since the 2014 season. 

The Yellow Jackets stung the Presidents with a swelling 21-0 second half scoring, but it was not enough to overcome the 33-7 deficit that they took into halftime, as Waynesburg lost the contest 33-28, scoring their first points against the Presidents since the 2019 matchup between the two schools. 

The 28-point performance is the most points Waynesburg has scored in a game versus the Presidents since Nov. 11, 2014, with that date also being the last time the Yellow Jackets beat the Presidents. 

“I’ll be honest with you for me as a coach no, this is not a statement game,” Waynesburg University Head Coach Dr. Cornelius Coleman said. “Other individuals that follow the program or have witnessed the program the last two seasons they can look at it and say yes.”

Waynesburg had just 59 offensive yards in the first quarter and went into the second quarter trailing 14-7. The second quarter Washington and Jefferson scored more points (19) than Waynesburg had total offensive yards (17).

“We just want them to understand that if they just go out and play football and not worry about past experiences that the program or the institution that they could be one of the best in this conference,” Coleman said. 

That is exactly what Waynesburg did in the second half. The offense scored 21 points and the defense held the Washington and Jefferson offense to 150 total yards and zero points. 

“We were stopping them, and we would get more confidence coming off the field,” Defensive Coordinator Dave Arnold said. “Once we got some stops they just kind of picked up the momentum.”

Despite the 23-yard touchdown from Samuel Barber to Dakota Romantino, there was not enough time left as the Presidents recovered Waynesburg’s onside kick attempt and kneeled their way to victory.  

“It felt great to score a touchdown in my final game,” Romantino said. “It was even more special because I did it in front of a ton of family and friends.

Washington and Jefferson College finish the season 8-2 and will play the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl game. Waynesburg University finishes its season 2-8 and will move on to the offseason. 

“This is going to be a team to be dealt with for the future,” Arnold said. “Hopefully we can get more fans in the in the stands and I think we have a great thing going here.”