WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 3) – History was made during Saturday's 2015 Homecoming game which featured Grove City coming to John F. Wiley Stadium to face Waynesburg University. After guiding his team through 60 nail-biting minutes in front of thousands of screaming fans, 11^th-year head coach Rick Shepas took over the number-one spot on the school's all-time career coaching wins list thanks to a 35-31 triumph over the visiting Wolverines.
 
Shepas improved his overall collegiate head coaching record to 66-43, which allowed him to pass up Frank N. Wolf, who posted a 65-63-1 mark over two different stints at Waynesburg (1921-22, 1928-41). After being presented with the game ball following the win by Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee and Waynesburg Director of Athletics Larry Marshall, Shepas immediately gave the ball to Kurt Detwiler, a former Yellow Jacket player who was severely injured in a car wreck this past summer. Detwiler, who would have been a senior this year, but is unable to attend classes because of his once-life-threatening injuries, was a linebacker for the Yellow Jackets from 2012-14. He has been on the Jacket sideline supporting his teammates, despite being confined to a wheel chair following an amputation of most of his left leg.
 
The victory was Waynesburg's (2-3, 1-2) sixth-straight over Grove City (0-4, 0-2), but it did not come easily for the host team.
 
The Jackets were forced to punt to close the opening possession of the game, but an interception by junior safety Eli Hargis gave the ball right back to the offense at the GCC 36-yard-line. Five plays later, senior running back Jerry Lawman kicked off arguably his best game as a collegiate player by plunging over the goal line from three yards out for the game's opening score. The first of five successful PAT attempts by senior kicker Scott Lewis gave Waynesburg a 7-0 just 3:34 into the game.
 
The advantage was short-lived, however, as the Wolverines countered the score with a 14-play, 64-yard scoring drive that tied the game at 7-7. Momentum swung back to the Jackets on the next offensive possession, which culminated in a 21-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Jake Dougherty to junior wide receiver Kevin Barnes, Jr., with two seconds remaining in the first quarter. Another successful kick from Lewis gave Waynesburg the lead back at 14-7.
 
Things took a turn for the worse at that point, as Grove City dominated the second quarter and took a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime. The situation grew worse for the Jackets, who gave up a 15-play, 80-yard march to pay dirt to open the third quarter. Waynesburg found itself down 24-14 midway through the period and in need of a spark to avoid a disheartening defeat.
 
The Jackets took advantage of GCC popping up a short kickoff to the Waynesburg 40-yard-line and needed to go just 60 yards for a score. The Jackets successfully made the trip downfield on eight plays, the last of which was Lawman's second short touchdown run of the day. After the senior pounded his way across the goal line from two yards out, Lewis cut his team's deficit down to three points (24-21) with 5:42 showing on the third quarter clock.
 
The home team finally regained its lead in the fourth quarter. After a long punt return by Barnes set Waynesburg up at the opposing 38-yard-line, the Orange and Black put together a quick three-play scoring drive that featured Dougherty hooking up with Barnes from 27 yards out for the go-ahead score. Lewis' kick put the Jackets up 28-24 with 11:35 left to play.
 
Grove City was not ready to give up the day just yet, and was able to take the ensuing kickoff and churn out an eight-play, 65-yard scoring drive that put the visitors back up 31-28. However, Waynesburg would not be denied a homecoming victory. Ultimately, a combination of clutch plays from its young offense and three-straight big plays from the defense finally gave the game to the Jackets.
 
The two Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) rivals exchanged punts following the Wolverines' go-ahead touchdown. Waynesburg took possession of the football at midfield with 3:29 left to play in the game. After Dougherty hooked up with senior Willie Leavell for six yards on first down, Lawman strung together three carries for 17 yards to move the ball to the Grove City 27. Freshman Zach Helsel inched his team closer to the end zone with a five-yard run, before Dougherty showed poise beyond his freshman status with a 16-yard completion to tight end Daniel Davis. Two plays later, Lawman struck again, this time from four yards out for the eventual game-winning score. Lewis made an important fifth PAT that put Waynesburg ahead 35-31, forcing the Wolverines to play for six instead of a field goal.
 
The Wolverines set up for their final effort at victory at their own 32-yard-line. An inspired Waynesburg defense responded with its best series of the season to close out the triumph. Freshman defensive lineman Russell Siess and junior defensive tackle Zach Machuga notched back-to-back sacks to back GCC up to its own 26. The final play of the game brought plenty of flair with it as Hargis picked off his second pass of the game to set off a joyous celebration on the field by a relieved Jacket squad.
 
Lawman led the charge for the offense by carrying the ball 24 times for a game, season and personal collegiate-high 148 yards and three scores. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his stat sheet is that he was never tackled behind the line of scrimmage of 24 totes.
 
Dougherty completed 13-of-22 attempts for 175 yards and two scores. Davis tied for the game lead with four catches, which he converted for 47 yards. Barnes paced all players with 77 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
 
Several Waynesburg defenders put together noteworthy performances in the win. Senior linebacker Aaron Palmer notched his second-straight game with double-digit tackles. The Leesburg, Virginia, native racked up a game-high 12 tackles, eight of which were solo stops, and 1.5 of the Jackets' nine total tackles for loss. Junior defensive back Drew Glotfelty notched eight solo tackles as part of a 10-hit day, while Siess picked up two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Hargis added five total tackles, including one for loss, to go along with his two interceptions.
 
The Jackets will try to carry the momentum of their emotional win over to next week when they travel to Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. Case is currently tied for first place in the PAC with a 3-0 conference record (3-1 overall). Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.