Complete Game Notes (.pdf)
 
Thiel (0-4, 0-3) at Waynesburg (0-4, 0-3)
 
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 1:30 p.m.
 
Where: Waynesburg, Pa. (John F. Wiley Stadium Stadium)
 
Live Video: http://pacathletics.org/watch/default.aspx?Live=842&path=waynesburg
 
Live Stats: https://waynesburgsports.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
 
Radio: 99.5, WCYJ-FM (Waynesburg Broadcast), AM 790 WPIC (Thiel Broadcast) Online Stream
 
Series Breakdown
All-Time Series: Waynesburg 31-9-1
First Meeting: 1913 (Thiel 20-0)
Last Meeting: 2018 (Waynesburg 24-21)
 
Coming into this weekend, there are three teams from the PAC looking for its first win of 2019. One is guaranteed to pick up victory number one when Thiel comes to Waynesburg. The conference's other winless team, Saint Vincent, plays host to Geneva.
 
Conversely, Saturday's slate of games ends at 7 p.m. with a night-time battle of unbeaten, when Westminster heads to Case Western Reserve.
 
Objective number one for Waynesburg and Thiel will be to get their offenses off to good start. The Yellow Jackets are ranked ninth in the PAC with 16.2 points per game. Thiel is not only ranked 10^th in the league, but, it's 4.0 points per game average is 243^rd out of 245 D III teams. The two squads are also ninth and 10^th in the league in total offense.
 
The schedule has not helped Thiel's offense, which has faced Case Western Reserve, Washington & Jefferson and Geneva this season. Those teams rank first, third and fifth, respectively, in PAC scoring defense. Case and W&J also rank fourth and 21^st, respectively, in the nation. The Tomcats' non-conference opponent, Alfred, goes into Saturday ranked 36^th in fewest points given up in the Division III ranks.
 
Despite having to replace eight starters on defense, the Yellow Jackets have been effective against the pass early in 2019. Waynesburg boasts the number-two pass defense in the PAC, giving up just 135.0 yards per contest through the air.
 
Both Waynesburg and Thiel can hold their respective heads high when it comes to on-field discipline. The Yellow Jackets have given up the third-fewest penalty yards per game (46.0) in the PAC. The Tomcats are just slightly ahead in second place with 45.2 ypg.
 
When the Waynesburg offense has found itself inside the opposing 20-yard-line, it has typically put points on the scoreboard. The Yellow Jackets' 87.5 percent conversion rate (seven-of-eight) with six touchdowns has the team tied for sixth in the league.
 
Saturday features a matchup of the PAC's top tacklers at their respective positions. Not only does Waynesburg senior Tyler Smith (Poland, Ohio / Poland) lead all league linebackers with 50 total tackles and 12.5 tackles per game, but he paces all conference defenders in both categories. Thiel junior Trou Johnson is the top Presidents' Athletic Conference defensive back in terms of tackles. His 37 total stops are tied for fifth in the league.
 
Smith also ranks number one in the PAC with 8.0 tackles for loss.