NEW CONCORD, Ohio (Sept. 7) – The Waynesburg University football team opened the 2019 schedule on the road at a very familiar opponent. For an eighth-straight season, the Yellow Jackets squared off with Muskingum to lift the lid on their respective campaigns. Unfortunately, Waynesburg was unable to end a three-game losing streak to the Muskies, who picked up a 31-20 victory.
 
The game was tight throughout the majority of the game's 60 minutes. The outcome was ultimately decided in the fourth quarter, when Muskingum (1-0) scored the only 10 points of the quarter to pull away for the victory. Over the first 45 minutes, the Jackets (0-1) never trailed by more than eight points and the two squads were tied 14-14 at halftime.
 
After the host team opened the scoring on the first drive of the game, the Waynesburg defense set up its offensive counterparts with outstanding field position. Senior linebacker Tyler Smith (Poland, Ohio / Poland) came up with a strip sack on Muskingum's second drive of the contest. Sophomore defensive lineman Zach Baughman (Franklin, Pa. / Franklin) pounced on the loose football and gave possession to his squad at the Muskies' 27 halfway through the opening period.
 
Senior quarterback Tyler Perone (Venetia, Pa. / Seton La Salle) connected with senior wide receiver Nick Moretti (Washington, Pa. / Trinity) for a 21-yard gain on the first play of the drive. That hookup was followed by a pair of runs by senior running back Chad Walker (Waldorf, Md. / Thomas Stone) that put the ball at the one-yard-line. Perone picked up the final three feet of the drive for the first Waynesburg touchdown of the year.
 
Unfortunately, the extra point attempt failed and the Orange and Black trailed 7-6 with 6:19 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Muskingum countered with its second touchdown of the game with just over seven minutes showing on the second-quarter clock. Luckily, the Jackets rediscovered their offensive momentum the next time they touched the football.
 
The Orange and Black methodically marched down the field on the ensuing possession to the tune of 11 plays that covered 75 yards. The key moment came on third-and-10 at the Waynesburg 38, when Perone took off on a 30-yard sprint that kept the ball in his team's hands. Seven plays later, Perone made another big conversion, this time plunging in from the one on fourth down to make the score 14-12. The veteran signal caller then hooked up with junior wide receiver Howard Metzger, Jr. (Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville) on a game-tying two-point conversion with just under a minute until halftime.
 
The Waynesburg defense prevented any big plays from the opposition during the final drive of the half and the two teams went to the locker room deadlocked at 14-14.
 
Unfortunately, the break may have stunted the Jacket momentum, as Waynesburg went three-and-out on its opening possession of the third. A short punt and personal foul penalty combined to give Muskingum the ball at the visiting 29. The Muskies traversed the short field in just five plays to regain the lead at 21-14.
 
Once again, Waynesburg's offense countered a touchdown with one of its own on an ensuing possession. Perone logged his third touchdown of the day, his first through the air, to end an 11-play, 65-yard drive. This time, he found Metzger from eight yards out, making the score 21-20. The Jackets decided to go for two, but failed in their attempt, allowing the Muskies to hold on to their one-point advantage.
 
Muskingum was able to drive down the field once again. However, the Jacket defense stiffened with its back to the wall and made the Red and Black settle for a field goal that extended its lead to 24-20.
 
Unfortunately, Waynesburg's offense struggled throughout the entirety of the fourth quarter and was unable to attempt one final comeback. The team's final three drives resulted in a punt followed by back-to-back interceptions that doomed the Jackets' hopes for victory.
 
It was a very up-and-down day for Perone, who scored all three of Waynesburg's touchdowns, but completed just 12-of-29 passes for 102 yards. He also rushed six times for 27 yards.
 
Walker posted a team-high 49 yards on 16 carries. Moretti and junior JuWuan Jones (Youngstown, Ohio / East) tied for the team lead with four catches each.
 
The Jacket defense was led by the senior duo of Smith and senior defensive back Dan Verhovsek (Johnstown, Pa. / Richland). Verhovsek logged a game-high 12 tackles, five of which were solo stops. Smith posted 11 tackles, including a game-seven solo hits. He also had Waynesburg's only sack and forced a fumble.
 
Waynesburg will need to put this loss behind them as they now face the opening of Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) competition next week. The Jackets travel to Westminster for a 1 p.m. showdown with the Titans.