GREENVILLE, Pa. (Oct. 25) – In a game that featured two teams combining for 67 points and 960 yards of total offense, it's a bit surprising that Saturday's Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) matchup between Waynesburg and Thiel was ultimately decided by an outstanding individual defensive effort.
 
With the Yellow Jackets clinging to a three-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the Tomcats faced a fourth-and-four situation from their own 26-yard-line. That's when Waynesburg senior defensive end Josh Tolliver broke free of potential blockers and threw the opposing quarterback to the turf for a sack that clinched the Jackets' 35-32 triumph over Thiel.
 
The win, Waynesburg's (7-1, 5-1) fourth in a row, kept it in a tie for second place in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) standings. Thiel dropped to 2-5 overall and 1-4 in conference action. The Jackets have now won nine-straight meetings with the Tomcats.
 
As previously mentioned, both teams' offenses dominated the majority of Saturday's clash. After Waynesburg won the coin toss and deferred the opening possession to the hosts, Thiel took advantage of the situation and put up seven points on the game's opening possession.
 
The Tomcats maintained their 7-0 advantage throughout most of the opening period. However, the Jacket offense got its first big play of the day as time ran out on the first quarter. After Waynesburg took possession of the football, senior Jake Forsythe ripped off a 56-yard touchdown run with no time showing on the first-quarter clock. Junior kicker Scott Lewis connected on his first extra-point attempt of the day to tie the score at 7-7.
 
The score remained tied for most of the second quarter, until senior quarterback Carter Hill hooked up with senior wide receiver Bernie Thompson on a 24-yard touchdown pass that gave Waynesburg its first lead of the day at 13-7. Lewis knocked in his second PAT try of the night with just under 2:30 to play before halftime. The scoring play capped a brief six-play, 45-yard possession that was set up by an interception from junior safety Mike Lopuchovsky.
 
Thiel tied the score up at 14-14 on the ensuing possession. However, the Waynesburg attack showcased its quick strike ability when it regained possession with just 26 seconds remaining until halftime. That was enough time for Hill to drive his team 50 yards in five plays and put the visiting team back in the lead before the third quarter. The senior signal caller completed all three of his pass attempts on the drive for 33 yards, 12 of which came on a touchdown pass to senior tight end Zac Capan with just four seconds showing on the second-quarter clock. Lewis extended the Jacket advantage to 21-14 with his third successful kick of the game.
 
The halftime break seemed to slow down the offensive momentum built up by both of Saturday's participants, as neither the Yellow Jackets or Tomcats were able to post any points in the third quarter. This was just the calm before the storm, however, as the fourth quarter provided plenty of offensive fireworks.
 
Thiel struck first with a pair of touchdowns that gave the home team a 26-21 advantage with around 10:25 left to play. Waynesburg regained the lead thanks to a 17-yard Forsythe touchdown run that ended a marathon 11-play, 92-yard possession. A failed two-point conversion gave the road team a 27-26 edge.
 
Momentum swung back to the Tomcats, who scored on a 46-yard touchdown pass to move ahead 32-27 after a missed two-point try of their own. The Jackets counterpunched with another Forsythe score, this one coming from 10 yards out on the ensuing possession. Hill hooked up with Capan for a two-point conversion that put the road squad up 35-32 with just over one minute left to play.
 
Thiel took over possession at its own 13-yard line following Lewis' kickoff and advanced the ball to its 26-yard-line. The Tomcats took a timeout as they looked to keep a last-second scoring drive alive. However, Tolliver had different plans, as he not only sacked Thiel's Ryan Radke, but forced a fumble that was recovered by the home team for an 11-yard loss.
 
Forsythe powered the Waynesburg offense with his second-straight 200-yard rushing game. The senior eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season (1,050) after pounding out a game-high 200 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. He is the first Waynesburg running back to reach the millenial mark for rushing since 2007. The Uniontown native added a 34-yard reception to complete a very productive night under the lights.
 
Hill complemented Forsythe very well with 266 yards and two scores on 18-of-27 passing. He hooked up with Thompson a team-high six times for 90 yards and a score, while fellow senior Andrew English added 89 yards receiving on five grabs.
 
Tolliver's game-clinching sack was one of two times he dragged a Thiel quarterback down in the backfield as part of a six-tackle day. Junior linebacker Aaron Palmer posted a team-high nine tackles, a sack and 2.0 tackles for loss in the win. Lopuchovsky intercepted his team-leading sixth pass.
 
Waynesburg returns home on Saturday, Nov. 1, to take on Thomas More. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.