• Box Score

WAYNESBURG (Oct. 6) – The Yellow Jackets used a 28-point first quarter to cruise to a 42-20 victory over Saint Vincent College on Saturday afternoon at John F. Wiley Stadium. With the victory, Waynesburg University improves to 5-0 this season for its first 5-0 start to a season since the 1978 campaign.

The Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 28-0 first-quarter lead with a pair of touchdowns from freshman running back Robert Heller, a rushing score from senior fullback Aaron Davis and an interception return by redshirt sophomore safety Ryan Krull.

Heller finished the game with 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns (11, 27, 10) on 20 attempts. The freshman standout became the fifth player in school history to surpass the single-season 1,000-rushing yard plateau. Through five games, Heller has amassed 1,040 rushing yards and 17 total touchdowns (16 rushing) on 177 attempts.

Krull made an immediate impact on the game when he intercepted a Bearcats' pass on the second play of the game. The Waynesburg offense took quick advantage of the good field position with an 11-yard touchdown scamper by Heller with 14:05 left in the opening quarter, 7-0.

The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 14-0 with 8:22 left in the first quarter when Krull returned his second interception of the game 38 yards for his first career touchdown.

On the ensuing Saint Vincent possession, Waynesburg forced a three-and-out and set-up another impact play by Krull. Krull blocked the Bearcat punt attempt and the loose ball was picked up by sophomore safety Dylan August, who returned it to the Saint Vincent 19-yard line.

Davis and the Yellow Jackets capitalized on the turnover when he scored his third touchdown of the year to increase the lead to 21-0 with 5:56 left in the opening frame. Heller registered the final score in the first quarter with a 27-yard touchdown run.

Following a scoreless second quarter with mostly Waynesburg reserves seeing action, senior defensive back Stefon Strothers returned an interception 30 yards to inside the red zone in the early portion of the third quarter. Heller finalized the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, 35-0.

The Yellow Jackets final touchdown of the game came on a 1-yard touchdown run by freshman JJ Johnson with 4:51 left in the game, 42-13.

The Waynesburg defense stifled the Saint Vincent rushing attack, limiting the Bearcats to just 24 total rushing yards on 28 attempts (0.9 yards/attempt). The Yellow Jackets also forced six turnovers, including a season-best four interceptions.

Senior linebacker Brendon Steele led the team with seven tackles (five solo), 2.5 TFL, one sack, one quarterback hurry and a blocked kick (PAT attempt), while senior defensive end Mike Czerwien added five stops (three solo) and a sack.

Waynesburg returns to action on next Saturday, Oct. 13, when it returns to conference play with a road contest against Bethany College. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Bethany Field. The Yellow Jackets are looking for their first 6-0 start to a season since the 1967 campaign.