BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – Jacob Pugh (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) tossed three touchdowns, John Peduzzi (Hilton Head, S.C./Hilton Head Christian Academy) hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions and Bruno Fabrycki (New Salem, Pa./Albert Gallatin) returned an interception for a touchdown as the Washington & Jefferson football team rolled to a 45-7 road win over Geneva College Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field in Beaver County.
The win improves the Presidents to 7-2 overall and in the Presidents' Athletic Conference. The loss drops the GT's to 4-5 in 2023.
W&J extended its winning streak to 18 games in the head-to-head series with Geneva. The GT's last win over the Presidents came during the 1983 season.
Both teams found the end zone in the opening quarter. W&J opened the scoring when Troy Volpatti (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) galloped in from 16 yards out to cap a five-play, 57-yard scoring drive on the opening possession for the Presidents.
Geneva responded with a lengthy 75-yard scoring drive. A one-yard run by Darin Myers on the 11th play of the drive helped Geneva even the score at 7-7 at the three-minute mark.
W&J gained control in the second quarter. A pair of touchdown passes by Pugh gave W&J a 21-7 lead at the halftime break. Pugh found Jacob Macosko (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) for an 11-yard scoring strike on the first play of the second quarter.
The point after by Ricky Hunter (Freeport, Pa./Freeport) made it 14-7. Pugh later found Peduzzi for a 13-yard touchdown pass at the 7:24 mark of the second. Hunter tacked on the point after to swell the lead to 21-7.
Geneva was unable to answer back before halftime, as the W&J defense was stout. An interception by Brandon Brown (Monessen, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic) at the W&J five-yard line ended a scoring threat by the GT's in the final minute.
Pugh and Peduzzi struck again early in the third quarter. Pugh took a deep shot down the field and connected with Peduzzi for a 58-yard touchdown pass. The duo connected for a pair of scores Saturday.
Peduzzi now has 14 touchdown receptions on the season, which is four more than any other receiver in the PAC. Peduzzi has accounted for 84 points this season, which is the most in the PAC by 21 points.
Hunter tacked on a 31-yard field goal with 23 seconds left in the third to extend the W&J lead to 31-7.
The W&J defense took a turnover and turned it into points on the first play of the fourth quarter. Heavy pressure by Dawson Dietz (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) forced an errant pass by Geneva, which was intercepted and returned 43 yards by Fabrycki. The pick six extended the lead to 38-7.
Kellen Stahl (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) closed the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run with 7:23 to play. The Stahl scamper finished off an 82-yard drive for the Presidents.
Pugh put together another strong, efficient effort in the victory. The junior finished with 210 yards and three scores. He committed no turnovers and was sacked just once Saturday. Pugh now has 28 touchdown passes this season, which is eight more than any other PAC quarterback this season.
Owen Petrisek (Ellsworth, Pa./Bentworth) led the ground game with 67 yards. Seven W&J rushers combined to account for 217 yards on 39 carries.
Peduzzi finished with 94 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He has five games this season with multiple touchdown receptions. Macosko has the team high seven receptions.
Tanner Volpatti (Bethel Park, Pa./Bethel Park) had a team-high 11 tackles and three tackles for loss. Avery Keith (Hartville, Ohio/Lake) finished with a season-high 10 tackles and three tackles for loss. Dietz tallied eight tackles while Brown and Keaton Hall (Dover, Ohio/Dover) each added seven tackles apiece.
W&J finished with 427 yards of total offense with 217 rushing yards and 210 yards passing. The Presidents scored in all five of its red zone chances. Geneva managed just 30 yards passing on 5-of-17 passing with two interceptions.
W&J concludes the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 11 when Waynesburg visits Cameron Stadium. The game will serve as Senior Day for the Presidents. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
W&J overpowers Geneva in 45-7 road win
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20231104_fhnn.xml
2023
Washington and Jefferson
45
Geneva
7
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington and Jefferson (7-2) | 7 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 45 |
| Geneva (4-5) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Nov 04, 2023