The Washington & Jefferson College football team scored on four quick drives in the second quarter on its way to a 35-18 win over Hobart College in the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl Saturday afternoon. The Presidents end the season with a 9-2 record, while the Statesmen are 7-4.
W&J carried a slim 7-6 lead into the second quarter, but in the second frame, the Presidents scored touchdowns on quick drives—2 plays, 3 plays, 2 plays, and 6 plays—to carry a 35-12 lead into halftime. Hobart produced the only points of the second half, a TD pass from wide receiver Benjamin Farrell to quarterback David Krewson, but it proved too little too late.
FIRST QUARTER
- Washington & Jefferson put together an 11-play, 88-yard drive on the game’s opening possession. Quarterback Jacob Pugh completed a 5-yard pass to Anthony Rosati for the touchdown. The extra point gave the home team a 7-0 lead.
- Hobart’s first drive stalled out short of midfield, but the Statesmen defense got the visitors on the board. Linebacker Anthony Romanopicked off Pugh and ran it back 27 yards for a TD. It was his second pick-six of the season. The extra point was no good.
TURNING POINT
- On the first play of the second quarter, Hobart failed to convert on a fourth-and-2 play at the W&J 44.
- When the Presidents’ offense took over, Pugh completed his first down pass for 18 yards. On second down, he hit John Peduzzi for 38 yards and a touchdown.
- Krewson was intercepted on Hobart’s ensuing possession and Zach Cernuto scored on a 32-yard run making it a 21-6 game with 11 minutes left until halftime.
- The Presidents’ defense forced the Statesmen to punt and blocked the kick to give the ball back to the offense at the Hobart 4. Pugh made it 28-6 with a 7-yard completion to Peduzzi.
A BRIEF REPRIEVE
- The Statesmen answered the Presidents’ fourth TD with a brilliant special teams play. Rayshawn Boswell fielded the kickoff at his own 6. He got great blocking that opened a lane on the left side of the field. Boswell had to break one tackle and used his speed to outrace the cover unit for his third career kickoff return for a touchdown. The two-point try was no good, leaving the home team a 16-point lead.
ONE MORE BEFORE HALFTIME
- W&J tacked on another touchdown before halftime, needing just six plays to go 76 yards. Cernuto finished it off with a 1-yard dive.
FINAL SCORE
- A turnover by the Presidents led to the final touchdown of the game. W&J mishandled a punt that Jordon Walker recovered at the Presidents’ 41. Hobart got an 11-yard rush from Boswell on first down and later a 19-yard completion from Krewson to wide receiver Alex LaBella to reach the red zone.
- Facing second and goal from the 8, Krewson handed off to Tim Denham Jr., who ran left on an apparent sweep but instead pitched to Farrell who was running back to the right. Krewson had slipped out of the backfield and was wide-open on the right side at the 3. He pulled in Farrell’s pass and ran untouched into the end zone.
STAT LEADERS
- Passing: HOB-Krewson 17-30-1, 169 yds; WJC-Pugh 13-24-1, 221 yds, 3 TD
- Rushing: HOB-Denham 17-61; WJC-Cernuto 9-73, 2 TD
- Receiving: HOB-Boswell 8-66; WJC-Peduzzi 4-102, 2TD
- Tackles: HOB-Jay McCoy 9; WJC-Justin Johns 15, 2.5 TFL
COACH’S CORNER
“Today’s game had the matchup and feeling of a first-round NCAA Playoff game. We did not execute well enough in all three phases and dug ourselves a hole in the second quarter, unfortunately. Although not the finish to the season we wanted, I appreciate the effort and resolve of our team throughout the season. We will learn and grow from today’s experience as we continue to push this program forward.” – Head Coach Kevin DeWall ’00
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].