WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Oct. 19) – Things didn't start well for the Waynesburg University football team during Saturday's home Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game against Grove City. After falling behind 21-0 in the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets picked themselves up and played right with the Wolverines in the second half. Unfortunately, too much damage was already done, as GCC left John F. Wiley Stadium with a 42-24 win.
 
The potent Grove City (5-2, 4-2) offense, which entered the game ranked fourth in the conference in scoring, built a 21-0 advantage over its first three drives. Waynesburg (1-6, 1-5) started turning things around on its final drive of the first half. The Jackets slowly and methodically matriculated down the field to the visiting six-yard-line. Unfortunately, they couldn't cover the final six yards to pay dirt, but were able to get three points off the right foot of senior kicker Mike Ryhal (Fredonia, Pa. / Reynolds). The 23-yard field goal capped a 13-play drive that covered 61 yards.
 
The Jacket defense ended the half on a high note by forcing Grove City's first punt of the day. Waynesburg was once again able to move the football, but ended the second quarter at the GCC 26.
 
The Jacket defense carried its momentum from the late stop into the third quarter and halted the Wolverines at the Waynesburg five-yard-line thanks to an interception from senior safety VaShon Graham (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Catholic). After Waynesburg was forced to punt the ball back to the visitors, junior James Jackson (Farrell, Pa. / Farrell) picked off another Wolverine pass.
 
Unfortunately, Grove City's defense continued to keep the Waynesburg offense out of the end zone, and with 1:31 remaining in the period, the Wolverines punched in another score to move ahead 28-3. However, the ensuing kickoff signaled the beginning of a marked turnaround for the Jacket attack.
 
Aided by a pair of personal foul penalties that put the ball at the Grove City 35, Waynesburg needed just two plays to post its first touchdown of the day. Freshman running back Justin Flack (Derry, Pa. / Derry) weaved his away through the defense for a 16-yard run that put the ball at the 19. Junior quarterback Mason Schrenker (Robinson, Pa. / Montour) then found junior wide receiver Cole Booth (Berlin, Pa. / Berlin Brothersvalley) for a 19-yard touchdown strike with just under one minute remaining in the third quarter. A Ryhal extra point made the score 28-10.
 
Grove City answered on its next drive with another touchdown that made the score 35-10 with 10:40 remaining in the contest. However, the Jacket special teams came up big on the ensuing kickoff as junior Howard Metzger, Jr. (Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville) somehow emerged from a pile along the far sideline and sprinted to the Wolverine 15-yard-line. Flack did the rest, as he darted into the end zone to make the score 25-17.
 
The Orange and Black defense made things interesting by forcing a fumble on the second play of the ensuing Wolverine possession. Graham continued his monster day by lowering the boom on the GCC ball carrier and popping the ball loose. Senior Dan Verhovsek (Johnstown, Pa. / Richland) came out of an ensuing scrum with the ball, giving possession to the offense at the visiting 34-yard-line.
 
Waynesburg cashed in on the turnover with a nine-play, 34-yard drive that pulled it to within two scores of the Wolveirines. Sophomore running back Jordan Taylor (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Quaker Valley) capped the possession with a punishing six-yard touchdown run. After Ryhal tacked on the PAT, the Orange and Black trailed by just 11 (35-24).
 
Unfortunately, GCC converted a crucial third down on its next possession on its way to the game's final touchdown that brought about the final score.
 
Though it didn't lead to victory, Graham put together one of the most impressive defensive efforts in recent Waynesburg history. Not only did he pile up a game-high 15 tackles, including a contest-best 10 solo stops, he popped two fumbles loose and picked off his second pass of the year.
 
Senior linebacker Tyler Smith (Poland, Ohio / Poland), who entered the game as the number-one tackler in the PAC, recorded 10 total stops and logged his team-best ninth tackle for loss.
 
Waynesburg's pass defense, which came into the game second in the country in yards allowed per game (99.3), outdid itself by holding Grove City, which averaged over 200 yards per game through the air, to just 45 yards. GCC quarterback Josh Ehst completed just three-of-nine passes for 45 yards and two picks.
 
Schrenker, on the other hand, had his best game as a Yellow Jacket by completing 17-of-29 passes for 184 yards, a score and no interceptions. He completed passes to seven different receivers, including senior Nick Moretti (Washington, Pa. / Trinity) who set game highs in catches (five) and yards (69).
 
The Jackets play the second of three-straight home games on Oct. 26, when they host Saint Vincent. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.