WAYNESBURG, Pennsylvania (Sept. 21) The Waynesburg University football team jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead in the first quarter of Saturday's Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) matchup with visiting Bethany. Unfortunately for the team and fans gathered for the home opener, the Bison responded with 41-straight points en route to a 41-17 Yellow Jacket loss.
 
After Bethany (1-2, 1-1) won the toss and elected to kick off, Waynesburg (0-3, 0-2) moved the ball effectively on its opening possession. Unfortunately, the drive stalled at the Bison 20-yard-line and the Jackets sent out senior kicker Mike Ryhal (Fredonia, Pa. / Reynolds) to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Ryhal drilled the attempt with ease, setting a new personal best in the process and giving the home team a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Jacket defense was just as potent as the offense, opening the game with a sack by senior linebacker Tyler Smith (Poland, Ohio / Poland). Two plays later, the Bison were punting the ball back to the Jackets. Junior wide receiver Howard Metzger, Jr. (Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville) nearly recorded his first punt return for a touchdown, but was drug down from behind at the Bethany two following a 55-yard return.
 
Two running plays later, the Waynesburg lead grew to 9-0 on a one-yard dive by senior quarterback Tyler Perone (Venetia, Pa. / Seton La Salle). Ryhal tacked on the PAT to extend the advantage to 10-0.
 
Things kept on going Waynesburg's way as the defense forced another punt out of the Bethany offense. Unfortunately, momentum seemed to swing the visiting team's way following a Jacket fumble. The Bison scored a touchdown on their ensuing possession and never looked back, building a 41-10 fourth-quarter advantage.
 
Powered by a combination of junior quarterback Mason Schrenker (Robinson, Pa. / Montour) and freshman running back Justin Flack (Derry, Pa. / Derry) the Jackets finally got back on the scoreboard with a  five-play, 86-yard scoring drive. Flack did most of the work by busting off a 59-yard touchdown run. Schrenker went three-for-three on the possession for 31 yards.
 
Flack led the Jacket ground attack for a second-straight game, going for 72 yards on seven carries. Sophomore Jordan Taylor (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Quaker Valley) toted the ball a game-high 19 times for 64 yards.
 
Perone completed 11-of-23 passes for 111 yards. Senior wide receiver Nick Moretti (Washington, Pa. / Trinity) set game highs in catches (four) and receiving yards (80).
 
Smith and fellow senior Vashon Graham (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Catholic) led the Orange and Black defense. Smith, the PAC's leading tackler, racked up 13 total stops, six of which were solo hits. He logged 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Graham posted nine tackles, all of the solo variety, and picked off his first pass of the season.
 
The Jackets hit the road this upcoming weekend for a PAC showdown with Geneva. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.