Presidents suffocate Titans!

Tagged under: Game Photos, Gameday Hub, News, Pennsylvania Colleges

Greg Ricupero | October 8, 2022

President’s Athletic Conference

Washington & Jefferson Presidents(4-1, 2-1) @ Westminster Titans (2-2) (1-1)

The W & J Presidents moved to 3 and 1 in the conference with a hard fought 17-14 victory in New Wilmington, Pa. It was not the best performance by either team. The game featured 19 punts and 7 turnovers.

The first half saw some really ugly offensive football. The only two things of note , both happening in the last two minutes were the Titan’s losing starting quarterback Cole Konieczka for the game with an ankle injury and sophomore Brice Butler’s 77 yard pick six. The wind was gusting all day and effect the kicking and passing games greatly. On Butler’s pick I was taken pictures of the intended receiver unfortunately for the Presidents and me the pass was about twenty yards from the intended receiver. Butler was wide open and raced down the sideline for the only score of the first half. The extra point appeared to be wide left but was signal good and the Titans led 7-0 at the half.

The third quarter was a replay of the first half except the Titans struggled even more with freshman backup quarterback Tyler McGowan. W & J sophomore receiver John Peduzzi broke off a 43 yard Gronk-like reception to get the Presidents in the red zone as the fourth quarter started. It was the first time all day that either team got in the red zone. But the Westminster came up big with a third down interception. The Titans however would return the favor a few plays later. That’s when First team All-PAC John O’Rourke took over. O’Rourke would score the first of two touchdowns to tie the game. O’Rourke took the pass from quarterback Jacob Pugh and bounced and bulled his way into the end zone. W & J got the ball back again . This time they drew up a flea flicker. Receiver Peduzzi hit a wide open O’Rourke who pounded his way into the end zone. The Presidents than recover the kickoff. A few plays later, ex-Bishop Guilfoyle kicker Deven Wyandt made it a ten point game with less than four and a half to play. The Titans would finally put together a drive against the prevention defense of W & J. Tyler McGowan hit Ryan Gomes to cut the lead to three with just over a minute to go. The Presidents however recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock. The Presidents had a 17-14 victory.

W&J    0- 0- 0-17=17

West.  0- 7- 0-  7=14

West-Brice Butler 77 interception return xp Aidan Johnston 1:33 (0-7)

W&J-John O’Rourke 8 pass from Jacob Pugh xp Deven Wyandt 12:44 (7-7)

W&J-J.  O’Rourke 24 pass from John Peduzzi xp Wyandt 7:58 (14-7)

W&J-Wyandt FG 27 4:27 (17-7)

West- Ryan Gomes 7 pass from Tyler McGowan xp Johnston 1:23 (17-14)

Key Players

W & J

Deven Wyandt 8 punts 4 Inside 20 /1 TB on kickoff /2 xp and game winning FG

John O’Rourke 5 receptions 58 yds 2 TDs

John Peduzzi 2 receptions 55 yds /1 for 1 passing 24 yds TD

Alex Keith 9 tackles 8 solo 4.5 TFL 2.5 sacks

Westminster

Ryan Gomes 24 rushes 48 yds / 2 receptions 21 yds 1 TD

Brice Butler 1 Int 77 yds TD/ 2 punt returns 13 yds/ 3 tackles 2 solo

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