WJPA Sports

Waynesburg University today announced the hiring of Dr. Cornelius Coleman as new Head Football Coach and Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Learning Experiences.  Dr. Coleman is a Waynesburg alum and comes to the University following two years as Duquesne’s defensive line coach.  “First and foremost, I just want to thank President Lee, Dr. Baer, and Adam Jack for the opportunity. I’m honestly speechless and am so grateful,” Dr. Coleman said in a statement. “I’ve been looking for opportunities like this for the past few years to become a head coach, share my knowledge and help young men grow academically, athletically and socially.”

Prior to his work at Duquesne, Dr. Coleman spent one season at the University of Pittsburgh, four years at Robert Morris and seven seasons at Averett University in Danville, VA.  He was a four-year letterman at Waynesburg, a career that included First Team All-PAC honors and honorable mention All-American status following his 1999 senior season, leading the Yellow Jackets in sacks and tackles for loss.

Dr. Coleman takes over for Chris Smithley who is becoming Assistant Athletic Director for Development and Alumni Relations at the University.  Smithley served four years as the Yellow Jackets’ head coach and was interim head coach in 2017.  He will have the opportunity to interact with alumni with ties to the athletic department, working closely with both Athletics and Office for Institutional Advancement.

SEATTLE (AP) – Sidney Crosby and Danton Heinen scored 25 seconds apart early in the first period, Jake Guentzel extended his point streak to 13 games with two goals and an assist, and the Pittsburgh Penguins routed the Seattle Kraken 6-1. Jeff Carter scored 1:47 into the game, Crosby followed with his fourth goal at 4:42 and Heinen scored on a wrist shot moments later to leave the expansion Kraken stunned at the early onslaught. Guentzel scored his 14th of the season late in the second period and added his 15th midway through the third. He has five goals in the past two games. Jordan Eberle scored for Seattle.

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – The Patriots have sole possession of first place in the AFC East following a 14-10 win over the second-place Bills.  Damien Harris scored on a 64-yard run in blustery conditions in which Mac Jones attempted just three passes. The Pats outgained the Bills 222 to 99 in yards rushing, with Harris delivering a season-high 111.  Defensive back Miles Bryant sealed the victory by batting down Josh Allen’s pass at the goal line with Buffalo facing fourth-and-14 at New England’s 18 with 1:55 remaining.  Bills QB Josh Allen was 15 of 30 for 145 yards and a TD. New England is 9-4 following its seventh win in a row. Buffalo is 7-5.

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is proving to be worth every penny of the mega-contract extension he signed on the eve of the regular season. Watt has 16 sacks through 12 games for Pittsburgh. That includes 3 1/2 in a 20-19 victory over Baltimore that snapped a three-game winless streak. Watt’s presence has been invaluable to the Steelers this season. Pittsburgh is 6-2 when Watt plays a full game and 0-3-1 when he is limited by injury or out of the lineup entirely. The Steelers travel to Minnesota on Thursday night.

NEW YORK (AP) – Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson are among the four finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which will be presented on Saturday. Young and Hutchinson just led their teams to conference titles and berths in the CFP semifinals.  Young broke the SEC championship game record with 421 yards passing in a victory against Georgia’s vaunted defense on Saturday. The sophomore has thrown for 4,322 yards, 43 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season.  Hutchinson has 14 sacks and helped the Wolverines end an eight-game losing streak to rival Ohio State.  Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud are the other finalists. Pickett passed for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns this year to eclipse school marks. Stroud has completed 71% of his passes for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first year as a starter.