WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Sept. 5) – The Waynesburg University football team kicked off the 2026 season on Saturday with a home non-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) game against Capital. The Comets built up a 21-0 halftime lead and never looked back on their way to a 35-12 win.
Saturday's game was the first for new Yellow Jacket (0-1) coach
Larry Wilson.
The Jacket defense did a great job of keeping the host squad within striking distance of victory throughout the first half. However, a botched snap on a Waynesburg punt attempt with 1:49 remaining in the second quarter allowed Capital (1-0) to pounce on a loose football in the endzone to make the score 14-0.
Waynesburg fought back into the game by putting together a 10-play, 80-yard drive to open the third quarter. Sophomore running back
Landon Cawley (Huntingtown, Md. / Huntingtown) capped the drive by pounding in a one-yard touchdown run cut the home team's deficit down to 21-6 with 9:39 remaining in the period.
Unfortunately, the Comets answered right back on the ensuing possession with their fourth score of the day to build a 28-6 advantage. Capital concluded its scoring midway through the final quarter, before senior running back
Carson Shriver (Fairview, W.Va. / Clay-Battelle) put the finishing touches on Waynesburg's best drive of the day with his first touchdown of the season. Shriver's five-yard plunge across the goal line put the finishing touches on an 11-play, 89-yard march down the field.
Freshman quarterback
Dominic Hickman (Huntingtown, Md. / Huntingtown) showed what he can do from behind center by completing all six of his pass attempts on the drive for 76 yards.
Hickman went 7-of-8 on the afternoon for 78 yards. Junior
Luke Hudson (Morgantown, W.Va. / University) got the start and hit on 10-of-20 tries for 85 yards.
Junior
Isaiah Fields (Cumberland, Md. / Allegany) posted game highs in catches (8) and receiving yards (84). Senior
Zayne Cawley (Huntingtown, Md. / Huntingtown) recorded a contest-best 86 yards rushing on nine carries.
The Waynesburg defense was led by senior
Tyler Curry (Manningtown, W.Va. / North Marion), who racked up a game-high 2.5 tackles for loss and added a forced fumble as part of an eight-tackle performance. Sophomore
Antonio Cipoletti (Amity, Pa. / Trinity) paced all game participants with nine total tackles. He added a pass breakup to a productive afternoon.
The Jackets are back in action at John F. Wiley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, when they welcome Ursinus to town for another non-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
