Box Score

 

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 17) – It wasn't a happy homecoming for the Waynesburg University football team, as they dropped a 49-39 contest to Geneva on a cold, dreary afternoon at John F. Wiley Stadium.

 

The loss drops Waynesburg to 3-3 on the season, while the Golden Tornadoes improved to 5-1. A big reason for the Yellow Jackets' struggles was an unusual amount of turnovers given up. Waynesburg came into the game with a plus-five turnover rating, and turned the ball over five times on four interceptions and a lost fumble.

 

Things started well for the Jackets as they were able to take a 7-6 lead when Waynesburg native and junior running back Billy Becker pounded in a one-yard touchdown run with 3:10 to go in the opening period. Freshman kicker Jon Storck tacked on the extra point to gave the Jackets their first lead.

 

After Geneva retook a one-point lead on a Gerard Muschette touchdown run, senior Scott Cree reminded everyone how he became an All-American kick returner by taking the ensuing kickoff and returning it 81 yards for a score. Another Storck PAT gave the lead back to the Jackets (14-13) with 7:19 to go in the first half.

 

The Golden Tornadoes regained the advantage (20-14) on a 37-yard touchdown grab by Sam Thurston. Once again, however, the Yellow Jackets refused to let the game slip away.

 

With the second quarter wasting away, the Yellow Jackets put together a seven-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Becker pounding in his second score from two yards out. The extra point gave Waynesburg a 21-20 lead as halftime neared.

 

However, the Golden Tornadoes were able to take the ensuing kick all the way back to the Waynesburg 12-yard line and quarterback David Girardi found Brian Wilson in the end zone on the first play from scrimmage. The kick made it 27-21 as the half expired.

 

Geneva took the first two-score lead of the game early in the third quarter when Matt Dean pounded in a one-yard touchdown that gave the Tornadoes a 35-21 lead to cap an eight-play 42-yard scoring drive. Muschette ran in the two-point conversion.

 

After a 31-yard Storck field goal cut the lead to 35-24, Geneva's Brian Wilson scooped up a fumbled ball after a Brad Dawson sack and scampered 16 yards into the end zone. The extra point made it 42-24 Geneva and appeared to seal the victory for the visitors.

 

Waynesburg showed good heart in bringing the game back into reach.

 

After Wilson's score, the Jackets traversed 54 yards in eight plays, with Becker picking up his third touchdown on the day from three yards out to cap the drive. Another Storck PAT pulled the Jackets to within 11 (42-31) with 5:13 left in the third.

 

Still down 11 as the third quarter came to a close, Waynesburg pulled to within a field goal of their opponents when Dawson hooked up with junior wide receiver Ray Hightower II on an eight-yard scoring play. Becker picked up the two-point conversion to make the score 42-39.

 

Unfortunately, Muschette found the end zone for a third time with just 1:42 left in the contest to seal up the victory and bring about the final score of 49-39.

 

While a loss is never easy for a team to take, there were some definite bright spots for Waynesburg in the dark, dreary conditions at John F. Wiley Stadium.

 

Hightower and linebacker Troy Cree both returned to the starting lineup after struggling with injuries and were effective. Cree piled up 10 tackles, including six solo hits, while Hightower tied for the game high with five grabs that went for 66 yards and a touchdown.

 

Freshman defensive tackle Matt Krause also made quite an impression in his first collegiate start by racking up a game-high 12 tackles (six solo hits), two tackles for loss and a sack.

 

Becker paced the Waynesburg offense with 129 yards and three scores on just 16 carries. Dawson had his sixth-straight game this year of at least 200 yards passing by hitting on 14-of-29 passes for 212 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions.

 

The Golden Tornadoes showcased a balanced offense that combined for 211 yards rushing with 158 yards passing for 369 total offensive yards. Muschette led the attack with a game-high 136 yards and two touchdowns. He added two catches for 33 yards and a third score.

 

Geneva held a big advantage in time of possession (38:48 to 21:12) and won the turnover battle by a five-to-one margin.

 

The Jackets return to John F. Wiley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24, when they host Bethany in a Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) showdown.