BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (Sept. 19) – Things started out well for the Waynesburg University football team when it traveled north to Geneva on Saturday night to kick off the 2015 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) schedule. After the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 17-7 first-quarter lead, the Golden Tornadoes rebounded in a big way by scoring the next 34 points in a 41-24 loss for the visitors.
 
The Waynesburg defense (1-2, 0-1) got the night off on the right foot by forcing the Tornadoes (2-1, 1-0) into a three-and-out situation on the first possession of the evening. Though the Jackets were unable to score on their first drive of the contest, their special teams came up with the first big play of the game when freshman Austin Wilson recovered a fumble during the ensuing punt return attempt by Geneva.
 
After taking over possession of the football at the Geneva 10-yard-line, the Jackets took a loss of four to set up a second-and-goal. Freshman quarterback Jake Dougherty erased the loss and more when he found junior wide receiver Tim Cooper in the end zone for the game's first points. After a successful extra point try to by senior kicker Scott Lewis, the Jackets held a 7-0 advantage three minutes into the game.
 
Geneva rebounded quickly to tie the score at 7-7 in the ensuing drive, but Waynesburg was ready with a response. Dougherty and his offensive mates put together a 10-play possession that spanned 45 yards and set up Lewis for a 36-yard field attempt. The veteran was successful on his first three-point try of the year to put his team back ahead 10-7 with just under six minutes left to play in the opening period.
 
After another standout performance from the defense forced Geneva to punt, the Jackets found the end zone for a second time following a seven-play, 45-yard possession. Dougherty hooked up with junior wide receiver Kevin Barnes, Jr. on a 33-yard scoring toss with less than two minutes to play in the first. Lewis knocked in his fifth point of the game to give the Jackets a 17-7 lead.
 
Unfortunately, the Geneva offense found its stride, thanks in large part to several long pass plays that resulted in four more touchdowns through the air, and a fifth on the ground. By the time the scoring outburst ended, the GT's held a 41-17 advantage on the Orange and Black in the fourth quarter. Dougherty ended the surge with a six-yard touchdown pass to junior James Steele, but that was as far as the comeback attempt went before the final whistle of the game sounded.
 
One bright spot in the loss was the play of Dougherty, who set personal collegiate highs in completions (24), attempts (40), yards (218) and touchdown passes (3). Saturday night also marked the first time the freshman ended a game without an interception.
 
As he has been all season, Barnes was Dougherty's favorite target on the night. The converted quarterback tied for the game lead with five catches, which he turned into 80 yards. He also reeled in his team-leading third touchdown grab of 2015. Cooper and Lawman added five catches each.
 
Lawman was also Waynesburg's leading rusher for a third-straight contest. The veteran piled up 73 yards on 16 carries.
 
Senior linebacker Jonathan Carlier led the Jacket defense with eight tackles. Junior defensive lineman Zach Machuga added seven total stops, including one tackle for loss.
 
After playing its first three games of the year on the road, Waynesburg will make its long awaited home debut on Saturday, Sept. 26, when it hosts Bethany. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.