Wash-Jeff Downs John Carroll to Open Season

Colton Jones completed 32-of-45 passes for a career-best 359 yards and two touchdowns, Zach Cernuto scored on a pair of short runs and Tyler Sabo returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown as Washington & Jefferson College opened its season with a 35-26 win over John Carroll. Cernuto’s 1-yard sneak opened the scoring with just over four minutes left in the opening quarter. Evan McVay answered with a one-yard run to tie the game less than four minutes later.  The Presidents put the next three scores on the board with Samuel Vessah’s 22-yard reception and Sabo’s Pick 6 coming before intermission. Cernuto’s second touchdown, a 2-yard run came with nine minutes left in the third.  John Carroll put two quick scores on the board to pull within 28-20. Tyler Mintz caught a 45 yard TD pass from Joe Collins late in the third. Tadas Tatarunas snatched an apparent interception at the goal line for an 18-yard touchdown. Jones connected with Justin Huss on an 8-yard swing pass to put the Presidents up 35-20. The Blue Streaks scored on Collins’ third TD pass of the game, a 14-yard connection with Brennan Fugh with just 2:12 remaining. But John Carroll failed on the two-point conversion and the Presidents recovered the on-side kickoff and ran out the clock.  Anthony Rosati led the Presidents receiving corps with seven receptions for 96 yards. Ian Hansen, John Peduzzi and Justin Huss each had at least five catches.  The W&J defense grabbed four takeaways and sacked Collins five times in the game. The Presidents travel to St. Vincent College next week.