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WASHINGTON, Pa. - Washington & Jefferson College Head Football Coach Mike Sirianni enters the 2010 season second on the NCAA's all-divisions active coaches win list. The list includes all coaches with at least five seasons at four-year colleges (regardless of division). Sirianni moves up one spot from last year when he was third. Larry Kehres of Mount Union College leads the list with a .925 winning percentage in 24 years on the Purple Raiders' sideline. He has amassed a 289-33-3 overall record. Sirianni, a former player and assistant coach under Kehres, is second with a 70-12 overall record (.854) in seven years. He joins Kehres and Mary Hardin-Baylor's Pete Fredenburg as the only Division III coaches to lead their teams to appearances in the last six NCAA playoffs. Florida's Urban Meyer is third with a 96-18 record (.842) and is followed by UNLV's Bobby Hauck (.825, 80-17, formerly of Montana) and Wittenberg's Joe Fincham (.808, 126-30). Notables also among the top 25 active coaches include Oklahoma's Bob Stoops (8th, .801), Georgia's Mark Richt (16th, .769) and W&J Athletic Hall of Famer and current coach at nearby California (Pa.) John Luckhardt (24, .757, 205-65-2 in 24 seasons). Sirianni, the 31st head coach in W&J football history, is second behind Luckhardt on the school's all-time win list. His teams have won nine or more games in each of his seven seasons and his 2004 and 2008 squads advanced to the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Brian Dawson '03 is 16th in NCAA Division III history with 10,257 career passing yards, while Chris Edwards '06 holds the all-divisions record for consecutive completions after connecting on 29 straight pass attempts versus Hanover and Allegheny during the 2005 season. During the 11 years since Sirianni has been a member of the W&J football coaching staff (7 - head coach, 4 - offensive coordinator), the Presidents have passed for 33,991 yards (248.1 ypg) and 341 touchdowns (2.5 tpg). W&J has posted a 108-20 record (.844) since his arrival on campus. A 1994 graduate of Mount Union, Sirianni won two national championships as an assistant coach and one as a player for the Purple Raiders. He also spent time as an assistant at Ithaca and Wilkes prior to coming to W&J. 2010 NCAA Winningest Active Coaches Top 10 -- PRESIDENTS --
LATROBE, Pa. – The Presidents’ Athletic Conference held its annual Football Media Day on Wednesday at Saint Vincent College and Washington & Jefferson College was selected second behind two-time defending conference champion Thomas More College. Thomas More received 22 of a possible 30 first-place votes and 220 total points in the poll. W&J earned five first-place votes and 191 points. The TMC-W&J game has decided the PAC champion in each of the past two seasons. Thomas More won 35-29 in Kentucky two years ago and then topped the Presidents 14-7 last season at Cameron Stadium. Waynesburg was third in the poll with 154 points followed by Grove City (132), Westminster (114), Thiel (92), Bethany (87) and Saint Vincent (35). Thiel picked up the final three first-place votes, while Saint Vincent is eligible for the conference title for the first time this season after four years as a provisional member of NCAA Division III. Washington & Jefferson was represented at the media day by Head Coach Mike Sirianni and senior safety Nathan Harmotto (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell). Sirianni brings a 72-10 record (.854) into his eighth season on the W&J sidelines. Harmotto was the team’s second-leading tackler last fall and owns 121 career stops and five interceptions in 28 games. W&J opens the season at Delaware Valley (Sept. 11, 1:00 pm, Doylestown, Pa.) as a part of the “PAC-MAC Challenge Series”. The Aggies, who won a first round game in last year’s NCAA playoffs, are ranked seventh in a pair of preseason publications. The Presidents have been ranked as high as No. 13 in the preseason polls. -- PRESIDENTS -- Over 130 players will report to Cameron Stadium for Washington & Jefferson’s eighth preseason camp under Head Coach Mike Sirianni. With a pair of Top 20 opponents during the first three weeks of the season, Sirianni is leaving little doubt that this training camp will be the most important of his tenure. “We must have a good camp and that falls on my shoulders,” said Sirianni, who owns a 70-12 record as a head coach. “We have to improve in many areas from our spring drills. We also need to prepare for a great team in week one which makes these upcoming three weeks so important.” W&J opens its schedule on Sept. 11 at Delaware Valley, a consensus preseason top 10 team. The Presidents face Bethany a week later for the home opener and then travel to Kentucky for a battle with Thomas More on Sept. 25. The Saints have defeated Washington & Jefferson in each of the last two seasons. Both losses were by seven points or less, but the balance of power in the PAC has shifted in TMC’s direction. “Our program is determined to win a national championship and we are proud of what we have accomplished in the NCAA playoffs (two NCAA quarterfinal appearances under Sirianni: 2004 and 2008), added Sirianni. “But, before we even focus on that goal, we need to take care of business in the conference, something we haven’t done since 2007. Thomas More established itself as the team to beat in the conference. They earned the championship the last two years, but we are determined to bring that trophy back to our campus.” Despite coming up just short in the last two conference races, the Presidents have still compiled 26 consecutive winning seasons. W&J joins Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor as the only programs to make six-straight appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Washington & Jefferson, which has racked up nearly 34,000 yards and 341 touchdowns through the air during Sirianni’s 11 years with the program, will rely on a steady defense which has improved each year under third-year Defensive Coordinator Matt Caponi. The Presidents boasted the nation’s 10th-best scoring defense a year ago (13.8 ppg) and limited opponents to 271.9 yards per game (24th of 235 teams). “Coach Caponi deserves a lot of credit for turning this defense into one of the nation’s best units,” said Sirianni. “He has put us in position to win games. We didn’t play well on offense last year, but we won nine games because of what our defense was able to accomplish. We had the nation’s sack leader and despite that loss, we feel our defense can be even better this year.” Leading that charge will be senior safeties Craig Sedunov and Nathan Harmotto. Sedunov compiled 77 tackles last fall and added five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. With 228 career tackles, he is on pace to become just the fourth defender in school history to reach 300 stops. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Harmotto is a talented athlete who recorded 64 tackles and four interceptions. He plays a linebacker-safety hybrid role in the defense and is counted on to provide big plays. “Craig loves football and with improvement in some techniques, he could be an All-America player for us,” noted Sirianni. “Nathan is a versatile, all-region player. He switches positions and can become a leader for this team. It is nice to have veteran guys in our secondary, because our alignment requires them to make a majority of our tackles.” Sirianni is also excited about returning starting cornerbacks, senior Mike Trunzo and junior Josh Buckley, in addition to junior safety Matthew Gal. Underclassmen Jimmy Thompson, Nathan Melhorn, Larry Cekella, Pat Fening, Jake Wilson as well as senior Jim Kuntz provide the Presidents with plenty of talent in the secondary. Sophomore Ian Hennessy will serve as Harmotto’s backup in the linebacker/safety role. “Mike and Josh are top-notch corners on the outside, but they know they are going to be pushed by these young guys,” said the eighth-year head coach. “We have a lot of talent in our sophomore and junior classes, especially in the secondary. Matt (Gal) stepped up and played well last year. He was given an opportunity and he proved he can be a full-time player. I expect some of these younger players to make that same jump.” Seniors Nick Resnik and Zach Pugliese and juniors Neil Sorice and Mitch Rose return at the linebacker spots. Sorice posted 54 tackles last season and the coaching staff feels he can emerge into a game-changing player. Pugliese (48 tackles) and Resnik (37) are steadying forces in Caponi’s 4-2-5 scheme. The biggest holes to be filled are on the defensive line where all four starters from the final game of 2009 were lost to graduation, including Jacob Bloomhuff and his 26.5 career sacks. Senior Alex Patterson (17 tackles, 1 sack) has the most experience, while junior Frank Gigler and sophomores Gavin Donathan and Andy McGill have shown the ability to attack the quarterback. Juniors Phil Dern and Darrick Dominick and sophomores Andrew Booth and Justin Conley will have opportunities during camp to earn playing time. “When you lose quality veterans, you always have a concern,” said Sirianni. “Our goal is to stop the run, first and foremost. We did that very well, except for one game last year. We can’t afford letdowns.” One of the most dramatic improvements came in the kicking game. Senior Joe Kelly will once again handle the punting and placekicking duties after an all-region season. He averaged 38.7 yards on 46 punts and made 48-of-49 extra points. Kelly was W&J’s first All-PAC first-team punter since 1996. “Joe had an excellent year and it is nice to have a reliable leg on special teams,” added Sirianni. “We need to be more consistent on our field goal attempts and kickoffs. I expect another great year from Joe.” The 2009 offense ranked 48th in the nation in scoring, but the 31.4 points per game was the lowest average since Sirianni’s first year in 2003. W&J averaged only 3.0 yards per rushing attempt, a statistic the coaching staff is determined to change. “We need to be multi-dimensional against the best teams on our schedule and that starts with the running game,” exclaimed Sirianni. “First, we must improve our offensive line play. We need to open holes and with three returning starters up front, I expect to see better blocking. From an overall standpoint, we need to put more emphasis on the running game. That starts on the first day of camp.” The offensive line returns three starters: seniors Paul Jefferis and Adam Zampatti and junior Gary Flavion. Senior Ed Hirsh, juniors Anthony Natale, Justin Cole, Taylor Potts and Jered Peretic and sophomores Mike Mastellino and John Tokarski will all battle for the other two starting positions. Senior Gino Rometo took over as the starting quarterback on a full-time basis late in the 2009 season after classmate Steven Shumaker suffered an injury. Rometo completed 65 percent of his pass attempts for 1,750 yards and 17 touchdowns (6 INTs). Shumaker (587 yds., 3 TD, 5 INT) provides a dual threat after adding 228 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Sirianni will also not count out playing time for three young signal callers, sophomore Andrew Cappucci and freshmen Zack Sopak and Matt Bliss. “Whoever emerges as the starting quarterback, we will have 100 percent trust in him,” noted Sirianni. “We may rotate like last year based on the opponent. There is no favorite. Gino had a solid spring and we were happy with his improvement. Steven has worked hard to return from the injury. Andrew had a great junior varsity season and our two freshmen quarterbacks are terrific players.” The winner of the quarterback battle will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, especially in the backfield. Senior Derek Taylor has rushed for 694 yards and four touchdowns and classmate Nick Puckett has improved each year in hopes for more touches this fall. The duo will be pushed by a stable of sophomores, Brian Baldrige, Tim McNerney and DeAndre Simmons. Baldrige was second on the team with seven touchdowns last year, while McNerney and Simmons sparkled on the junior varsity team. The wide receiving corps will be bolstered by the return of senior Jordan Roycroft {pictured}, junior Adam Dominick and sophomore Zach DeCicco. The trio all saw significant action last year and combined for 63 receptions and eight touchdowns. Senior Bryant Cappelletti returns after sitting out last season due to injury, while senior Andrew Tutino, juniors Brett Axner, Mike Roesch, Dreadless Stubbs and sophomores Ben Hoffer, David Bassi, Hunter Creel, Jared Jones and Bruce Maldonado all could see passes thrown in their direction. “Jordan and Zach have a chance to become superstars in this offense,” said Sirianni. “Jordan has been overshadowed in his first three years, but he is a dynamic wide receiver.” “The entire staff is ready for the upcoming camp and eager for the first month,” concluded Sirianni. “We need to be ready from the opening kickoff. All of our players and coaches are excited for the challenge.” -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. - Washington & Jefferson College received its third national preseason football ranking recently as USA Today Sports Weekly placed the Presidents 19th in the publication's annual Division III preseason poll. Earlier this month, The Sporting News ranked the Presidents as its preseason No. 13 team, while Lindy's selected W&J as the magazine's 21st-ranked squad. Mount Union is the preseason favorite according to USA Today Sports Weekly and the Purple Raiders are followed in the Top 5 by Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wesley, St. Thomas and Linfield. Defending Presidents' Athletic Conference Champion Thomas More is ranked 12th. The Saints also earned a No. 12 ranking from Lindy's. Delaware Valley, the Presidents' season-opening opponent on Sept. 11, is eighth in the poll. Washington & Jefferson returns 38 letter winners and 12 starters from last year's team which made its sixth-straight appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs. W&J joins Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor as the only other programs to accomplish that feat. Washington & Jefferson ranks third among NCAA Division III football programs with 666 all-time victories. The Presidents have recorded 26 consecutive winning seasons, the 10th-best streak in Division III history. W&J is led by Head Coach Mike Sirianni {above}, who has guided the Presidents to a 70-12 record (.854) since taking over the program in 2003. 2010 USA Today Division III Football Top 25 -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – A pair of national college football magazines listed Washington & Jefferson College in their NCAA Division III Top 25 preseason polls. The Sporting News ranked the Presidents as the preseason No. 13 team, while Lindy’s selected W&J as its 21st-ranked squad. Defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater is the preseason No. 1 team in both polls, while Mount Union is second by both publications. The Sporting News rounds out its top five teams with Linfield (Ore.), St. John’s (Minn.) and Wesley (Del.), while Lindy’s has Wesley third followed by Linfield and Trine (Ind.). Washington & Jefferson returns 38 letter winners and 12 starters from last year’s team which made its sixth-straight appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs. W&J joins Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor as the only other programs to accomplish that feat. Senior free safety Craig Sedunov (West Newton, Pa./Yough) {above} will once again lead the defense as a Lindy’s Second Team Preseason All-America choice. Last year, the two-time All-PAC and D3football.com All-South Region defender had 77 tackles, 13 pass breakups and five interceptions. Sedunov has played 35 games for the Red & Black and has produced 228 tackles (133 solo, 7.5 for a loss), 21 pass breakups, seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Sedunov can move into the top five in career tackles at W&J with 47 stops and can become only the fourth player in history to amass 300 career tackles. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference has two teams in the preseason polls as Thomas More is 12th in Lindy’s and 21st in The Sporting News. The Saints have claimed back-to-back conference titles and will be led by Lindy’s preseason All-Americans senior defensive lineman Tyler Owens and sophomore defensive back Zach Autenreib. Autenreib also earned a spot of The Sporting News Preseason All-America squad. The Sporting News selected seven “Games To Watch” for the 2010 season and the Washington & Jefferson-Thomas More game at The Bank of Kentucky Field on Sept. 25 (1:30 pm, Crestview Hills, Ky.) was chosen. The game has decided the conference champion the past two years. W&J also opens the season at Delaware Valley (Sept. 11, 1:00 pm) as a part of the “PAC-MAC Challenge Series”. The Aggies, who won a first round game in last year’s NCAA playoffs, are ranked seventh in both preseason publications. DVC seniors Mike Long (OL) and Kyle Gesswein (LB) are both First Team Preseason All-America selections by Lindy’s. The Sporting News also placed Gesswein on its preseason All-America team. Washington & Jefferson ranks third among NCAA Division III football programs with 666 all-time victories. The Presidents have recorded 26 consecutive winning seasons, the 10th-best streak in Division III history. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. - Washington & Jefferson College released its 2010 football schedule on Thursday. The schedule is highlighted by games against a pair of 2009 NCAA Division III playoff participants during the first three weeks of the season. The "PAC-MAC Challenge Series" kicks off the Presidents' schedule on Sept. 11 against Delaware Valley (1:00 pm) in Doylestown, Pa. The Aggies posted a 10-2 record a year ago, won the Middle Atlantic Conference last year and earned a NCAA first round victory against Susquehanna 66-7. The Presidents (9-2 in 2009) open their home schedule a week later (Sept. 18) when hosting Bethany for a 7:00 pm kickoff on Hall of Fame Weekend at the college. W&J-Bethany will meet for the 87th time, the longest series in both schools' histories. W&J travels to Crestview Hills, Ky., on Sept. 25th to battle Thomas More in a game which decided the PAC Championship the last two years. The Saints won both games by a combined 13 points and became the first team to defeat W&J back-to-back times since 1998. Washington & Jefferson begins a three-game home stand on Oct. 2 with a night game versus Westminster and then hosts Saint Vincent a week later for Homecoming 2010. Frostburg State returns to the W&J schedule for the third-straight year on Oct. 16. The Presidents' lone evening road game takes place Oct. 23 at Geneva (7:00 pm) before the regular-season home schedule comes to an end the day before Halloween versus Grove City for Senior Day. Thiel (Nov. 6, 1:00 pm) and Waynesburg (Nov. 13, 1:30 pm) hosts the Presidents to close the regular-season schedule. Washington & Jefferson ranks third among NCAA Division III football programs with 666 all-time victories. The Presidents have recorded 26 consecutive winning seasons, the 10th-best streak in Division III history. W&J joins Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor as the three schools looking to make their seventh-straight appearance in the NCAA playoffs. Sept. 11 at Delaware Valley 1:00 pm -- PRESIDENTS --
2009 D3football.com All-America Teams WASHINGTON, Pa. -- D3football.com released its 2009 Division III All-America Team on Saturday and Washington & Jefferson College senior wide receiver Craig Besong (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) was selected as a third-team honoree. Besong, who also earned Second Team All-South Region laurels from the website, is the 10th Washington & Jefferson College football player honored by D3football.com since its first All-America Team was announced in 1999. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound wideout finished the season with 90 receptions for 1,064 yards and nine touchdowns. His 90 catches were the third-highest total in school history. Besong ranked 12th in the nation in receptions per game (8.2 rpg) and 33rd in receiving yards per contest (96.7 ypg). Besong caught at least one pass in all 35 games he played for the Presidents. He also ended his career with a streak of 24-straight games with three or more receptions. Besong concluded his career third on the career receiving list at W&J with 184 catches. He finished seven receptions shy of tying David Ravida’s record of 191 from 2005-2008. Besong totaled 2,369 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns. Washington & Jefferson owned an 18-1 record when Besong caught a touchdown pass. A two-time First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference selection, Besong totaled 100 or more receiving yards in a game 10 times during his career. He also notched seven or more catches 14 times. Thomas More senior linebacker Brad Steinmetz (2nd Team) and freshman defensive back Zach Autenreib (3rd Team) were the only players honored from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Washington & Jefferson posted a 9-2 record and competed in the NCAA playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. The Presidents also earned their 26th-straight winning season. With Besong as a member of the squad, W&J notched a 40-7 record and made a trip to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2008. -- PRESIDENTS -- WASHINGTON, Pa. - Four Washington & Jefferson College Presidents were selected to the 2009 ECAC Division III Football Southwest All-Star Team on Wednesday. Three of the student-athletes honored were defensive players: senior defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North) and juniors linebacker/safety Nathan Harmotto (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) {left} and free safety Craig Sedunov (West Newton, Pa./Yough). Junior punter Joe Kelly (West Grove, Pa./Chartiers Valley) was also named to the all-star squad. Bloomhuff, who was also named an AFCA All-American this week, amassed 35 tackles, 17 pass breakups and 14.5 sacks in 11 games for the 9-2 Presidents. He also forced three fumbles and intercepted one pass. He tied for first in the nation with 1.32 sacks per game. Bloomhuff's 14.5 sacks were the most by a W&J defender since Stephan Swentkowsky recorded 15.5 in 1988. Bloomhuff amassed 128 tackles (42.5 for a loss) and 26.5 sacks in 35 career games. Harmotto earned his first ECAC award after collecting his second-straight First Team All-PAC nod. He was second on the team with 64 tackles (34 solo) and four interceptions. Harmotto also compiled eight pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for a loss and one sack. During Washington & Jefferson's 56-16 victory over Thiel on Sept. 19th, Harmotto intercepted a pass and raced 43 yards for a touchdown. In 28 career games, Harmotto has produced 121 tackles (65 solo), 12 pass breakups, five interceptions and two forced fumbles. Sedunov is a two-time First Team All-PAC and Third Team D3football.com All-South Region honoree. He has been the Presidents' leading tackler in each of the past two seasons. In 2009, Sedunov recorded 77 tackles (44 solo), 13 pass breakups and five interceptions. He returned an interception 56 yards for a touchdown during a 49-7 road win at Westminster (Oct. 24th) and then picked off a pass and scored from 37 yards out two weeks later helping the Presidents earn a 49-0 triumph at Bethany (Nov. 7). Sedunov can move into the top five in career tackles at W&J with 47 stops next season. He also has a chance to become the fourth player in history to amass 300 career tackles. Sedunov has appeared in 35 games for the Red & Black and owns 228 tackles (133 solo, 7.5 for a loss), 21 pass breakups, seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Kelly developed into one of the Presidents' best special teams players in recent history by averaging 38.7 yards on 46 punts. He was chosen to the D3football.com All-South Region squad (3rd Team). Kelly also became the first W&J punter to earn First Team All-PAC honors since Brian Plichta in 1996. Over 30 percent of Kelly's punts (14-of-46) were downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Kelly also served as the Presidents' placekicker, nailing 48-of-49 attempts. His current streak of 39 consecutive made extra points is six away from tying the record held by current Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl '03. Kelly has connected on 67-of-69 extra-point attempts. The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) is the nation's largest athletic conference and only multi-divisional conference, with approximately 300 member institutions and over 122,000 student-athletes ranging across 16 states from Maine to North Carolina and westerly to Illinois. Established in 1938 with 58 charter members, the ECAC has since emerged as the nationwide leader in service. The ECAC honors more than 2,000 student-athletes during the academic year through its all-star and player of the week programs. Each week, the conference has recognized 14 football players of the week, including offensive and defensive, in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, and Division III (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest Regions). -- PRESIDENTS --
2009 AFCA Division III All-America Team WACO, Texas – Washington & Jefferson College senior defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North) was selected to the American Football Coaches Association Division III All-America Team on Tuesday afternoon. Bloomhuff is one of 25 Division III student-athletes (20 seniors, five juniors) on the All-America Team. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference had two players selected, Bloomhuff and Thomas More senior linebacker Brad Steinmetz. Bloomhuff’s selection marks the eighth consecutive season in which a President earned a spot on the AFCA team. Bobby Swallow ’09 made the 2007 and 2008 All-America squad, while Chris Teter ’06 was selected to the 2006 team. Aaron Krepps ’05 was honored in 2005, while Frank Pilato ’04 earned back-to-back laurels in 2003 and 2004. Roger Snyder ’03 was also chosen as the 2002 kick return specialist. A total of 14 Presidents have earned AFCA accolades, including Ed Kusko ’85, the first W&J honoree in 1984. Washington & Jefferson has been represented 16 times since the Division III team began in 1972. Only Mount Union (19), Augustana (19) and Wittenberg (18) have more AFCA Division III All-Americans throughout history. Bloomhuff compiled one of the top defensive statistical seasons in school history this fall. The D3football.com Second Team All-South Region choice posted 35 tackles, 17 pass breakups and 14.5 sacks in 11 games for the 9-2 Presidents. He also forced three fumbles and intercepted one pass. Bloomhuff’s 14.5 sacks were the most by a W&J defender since Stephan Swentkowsky recorded 15.5 in 1988. Bloomhuff amassed 128 tackles (42.5 for a loss) and 26.5 sacks in 35 career games. With Bloomhuff as a member of the squad, Washington & Jefferson posted a 40-7 overall record and made four appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs. In 2008, the Presidents advanced to the national quarterfinals. Bloomhuff is tied for the NCAA Division III lead with 1.32 sacks per game, joining Hampden-Sydney junior William Riggenbach. Both players are third in the nation for overall sacks, trailing Wittenberg junior Eddie Vallery (16.5) and Coe freshman Fran Weymiller (15.5). Vallery was also chosen to the AFCA All-America Team. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Bloomhuff helped the North squad record a 14-0 victory in the Division III Senior Classic on December 5th at Salem (Va.) Stadium, home of Saturday’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. -- PRESIDENTS --
2009 D3football.com All-South Region Teams WASHINGTON, Pa. – Four Washington & Jefferson College Presidents were named to the 2009 D3football.com All-South Region Team on Thursday. Senior wide receiver Craig Besong (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) and senior defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff (Gross Pointe, Mich./North) were second-team selections, while junior safety Craig Sedunov (West Newton, Pa./Yough) and junior punter Joe Kelly (West Grove, Pa./Chartiers Valley) received third-team laurels. Besong, who was also a second-team selection in 2008, finished the season with 90 receptions, the second-best total in school history. Besong also totaled 184 career catches which is third on the W&J all-time list. He amassed 2,483 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns in 35 career games with the Red & Black Bloomhuff finished his senior season with 35 tackles (22 solo), 17 pass breakups, 14.5 sacks and one interception. Bloomhuff also forced three fumbles. His 14.5 sacks were the most by a W&J defender since Stephan Swentkowsky recorded 15.5 sacks in 1988. Bloomhuff amassed 128 tackles (42.5 for a loss) and 26.5 sacks in 35 career games. Kelly is Washington & Jefferson’s first punter selected to a D3football.com All-South Region team since its inception in 2005. He averaged a PAC-high 38.7 yards among the conference’s starting punters and booted three kicks that went 50 or more yards. Kelly also downed 14 punts inside the 20-yard line. Sedunov, who earned third-team laurels in 2008, led the Presidents with 77 tackles (44 solo) and five interceptions this season. Two of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns. He helped the Presidents rank in the top 15 in three different national statistical categories, including NCAA Division III’s 10th-best scoring defense (13.82 ppg). Washington & Jefferson finished the 2009 season with a 9-2 overall record and made its sixth-straight appearance in the NCAA Playoffs. -- PRESIDENTS --
2009 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America Teams WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson College senior safety Mitch Erdely (Perryopolis, Pa./Geibel) was selected to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America College Division Football Team on Tuesday by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Erdely is the 25th student-athlete in Washington & Jefferson College history to earn the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA academic award. David Damico, a 1981 W&J graduate and men’s basketball standout, was the Presidents’ first CoSIDA Academic All-American in 1978. Damico was a two-time Academic All-American. Erdely is the sixth football player in school history to be selected an Academic All-American, including only the third named to the first team. Defensive lineman Raymond Cross, Jr. ’93 and offensive lineman Michael Jones ’96 are the only other W&J first-team national selections. The 6-foot-0, 180-pound safety will graduate this May after leading W&J to four consecutive NCAA Division III playoff appearances. He holds a 3.90 grade-point average and majors in accounting. Erdely was recently selected to the First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference squad. He finished as Washington & Jefferson’s third-leading tackler with 62 stops, including five for a loss. Erdely added eight pass breakups and two interceptions. He forced and recovered one fumble. A 2009 team captain, Erdely excelled on special teams throughout his 41 career games in a W&J uniform. He amassed 164 tackles (82 solo, 82 assists), including six for a loss, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also forced a pair of fumbles. Earlier this year, Erdely, a Dean’s List student, was a semifinalist for the 2009 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame William V. Campbell Trophy. The 2008 Honorable-Mention All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference performer is a three-year member of PAC Fall Academic Honor Roll. The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® College Division Football first team includes five Scholar-Athletes with 4.0 G.P.A.’s. There are two graduate students, 17 seniors and five juniors on the team. The 24 members of the first team have an average G.P.A. of 3.92. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports. For more information about the Academic All-America Teams, please visit www.cosida.com. Washington & Jefferson finished the 2009 season with a 9-2 record. The Presidents compiled a 40-7 record with Erdely as a member of the squad. Erdely is the eighth W&J student-athlete this decade to be named an All-American, including the sixth during the past two years. Senior women’s soccer player Spencer Ahrenholtz (Bridgeville, Pa./Chartiers Valley) was also selected this fall. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson College senior defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North) has been selected to participate in the inaugural Division III Football Senior Classic. Bloomhuff will suit up for the North squad. The Division III Football Senior Classic, presented by The Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL), will be held on Saturday (Dec. 5, 2:00 pm) at Salem Stadium in Salem, Va., the site of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The game will showcase 90 of the nation’s top Division III student-athletes, representing the 238 NCAA Division III football sponsoring schools. Bloomhuff, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound defensive end, finished the regular season tied for the NCAA Division III lead with 14.5 sacks. He remains tied with Hampden-Sydney junior William Riggenbach for the national lead in sacks per game (1.32). Bloomhuff finished his senior season with 45 tackles (22 solo), 17 pass breakups, 14.5 sacks and one interception. Bloomhuff also forced three fumbles. Following the season, he earned his second-straight appearance on the First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference squad. His play helped the W&J defense rank eighth in the nation in sacks (3.27 spg) and 10th in scoring defense (13.8 ppg). Bloomhuff’s 14.5 sacks were the most by a W&J defender since Stephan Swentkowsky recorded 15.5 sacks in 1988. Bloomhuff amassed 128 tackles (42.5 for a loss) and 26.5 sacks in 35 career games. With Bloomhuff as a member of the squad, Washington & Jefferson posted a 40-7 overall record and made four appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs. In 2008, the Presidents advanced to the national quarterfinals. Waynesburg kick returner Scott Cree is the only other player from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference scheduled to participate. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson College seniors Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North) and Craig Besong (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) {right} highlighted seven Presidents named to the 2009 All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference First Team on Monday. A total of 16 Presidents were honored on the three teams. Bloomhuff and Besong are repeat first-team selections and were joined on the 2009 first team by seniors offensive lineman Kirk Fulton (South Park, Pa./South Park) and defensive back Mitch Erdely (Perryopolis, Pa./Geibel) and juniors linebacker/safety Nathan Harmotto (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell), free safety Craig Sedunov (West Newton, Pa./Yough) and punter Joe Kelly (West Grove, Pa./Chartiers Valley). Senior defensive tackle Brandon Bovina (Mingo Junction, Ohio/Indian Creek), junior offensive tackle Adam Zampatti (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) and sophomore guard Gary Flavion (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) were W&J’s second-team honorees. Seniors running back Terrence McAllister (Wellsburg, W.Va./Brooke) and kick returner Joe Mucho (Bentleyville, Pa./Bentworth), junior wide receiver Jordan Roycroft (Butler, Pa./Butler) and sophomores linebacker Neil Sorice (Youngstown, Ohio/Canfield) and cornerback Josh Buckley (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) earned honorable-mention recognition. Bloomhuff, a three-time All-PAC selection, enters the NCAA playoffs tied for the national lead in sacks with 14.5. He has posted the most sacks by a W&J defender since 1988, when Stephan Swentkowsky recorded 15.5 sacks. Bloomhuff, who owns 26.5 career sacks, has also added 34 tackles, 15 pass breakups and three forced fumbles this fall. Besong’s 83 receptions this year are the third-most in a single season by a W&J receiver. He has totaled his second 1,000-yard season (1,006) and has caught nine touchdown passes. He enters Saturday’s game at Mount Union five receptions shy of passing Aaron Krepps for third on the college’s career reception list. Fulton made the all-conference team for the third time after earning second-team honors last year and honorable-mention laurels in 2007. He has helped W&J average 388.4 yards and 34.5 points per game. Zampatti and Flavion were honored by the conference for the first times in their careers. Sedunov, Erdely and Harmotto combined for form one of the nation’s top secondary units. The trio helped the Presidents rank in the top 10 in five different national statistical categories, including Division III’s fifth-best scoring defense (9.7 ppg). Sedunov and Harmotto were first-team selections last year, while Erdely was an honorable-mention choice. Sedunov, who also landed on the honorable-mention squad as a freshman, leads the Presidents with 66 tackles and five interceptions. He has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Harmotto is second on the squad with 57 tackles and four interceptions, while Erdely, an Academic All-District selection, has racked up 56 tackles and picked off a pair of passes. Kelly is Washington & Jefferson’s first punter selected to the first team since Brian Plichta in 1996. He averages a PAC-high 38.8 yards among the conference’s starting punters and booted three kicks that went 50 or more yards. Kelly also downed 13 punts inside the 20-yard line. Bovina earned his first all-conference award after grabbing 16 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss this season. He has one sack and scored his first career touchdown after falling on a fumble late in the fourth quarter at Saint Vincent to seal the win. -- PRESIDENTS --
Mount Union Release/Ticket Information WASHINGTON, Pa. - The Washington & Jefferson College football team has earned an at-large bid to the 2009 NCAA Division III playoffs and the Presidents will travel to Alliance, Ohio, to meet defending national champion Mount Union College. The Presidents (9-1) and No. 1 ranked Purple Raiders (10-0) will play a first-round contest Saturday (Nov. 21) at Mount Union Stadium. Kickoff is slated for noon. Washington & Jefferson, ranked 13th in the latest AFCA Top 25 poll, is making its 21st appearance in the NCAA Division III playoffs. W&J owns a 21-20 record in postseason play and advanced to last year's quarterfinal round. The Presidents are in the NCAA playoffs for the sixth-straight year, joining Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor as the only schools to accomplish the feat. Mount Union has made the playoffs every year since 1992 and owns 21 all-time appearances. Mount Union has won 10 NCAA Division III national championships, including six since 2000. The Purple Raiders defeated Wisconsin-Whitewater 31-26 to claim last year's title. MUC won its 18th consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Championship and earned the league's automatic bid. The winner of the W&J-MUC game takes on the Montclair State-Maine Maritime winner. The other first round matchups in W&J's bracket include Albright at Alfred and Susquehanna at Delaware Valley. Washington & Jefferson and Mount Union have met four times throughout history and W&J has won all four contests. The two schools have not met on the gridiron since a 14-0 Presidents' home victory in 1941. The last meeting in Alliance, Ohio, occurred in 1940, a 13-0 W&J win. W&J Head Coach Mike Sirianni is a Mount Union graduate. He won a national title as a player in 1993 and also helped the 1996 and 1997 Purple Raiders claim NCAA championships as an assistant coach. W&J Defensive Coordinator Matt Caponi and Assistant Coach Justen Stickley are also Mount Union graduates. Presidents'Athletic Conference champion Thomas More hosts Depauw in an opening-round game at The Bank of Kentucky Field. The PAC has two teams in the field for the third time in the past five seasons. -- PRESIDENTS -- W&J’S SEDUNOV NAMED TO D3FOOTBALL.COM NATIONAL TEAM (11/11)
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson junior free safety Craig Sedunov (West Newton, Pa./Yough) was named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week on Wednesday. Sedunov helped 13th-ranked W&J (8-1, 4-1 PAC) shutout Bethany last week in West Virginia by a 49-0 margin. Sedunov had six tackles and two interceptions in the contest. The W&J defense held the Bison to 299 total yards, including only 58 on 32 rushing attempts. Sedunov returned his first interception 37 yards to the end zone with 47 seconds left in the second quarter for a 28-0 Presidents’ halftime lead. His 11-yard return on the second interception led to Washington & Jefferson’s sixth touchdown. On the season, Sedunov leads the Presidents with 56 tackles (19th in PAC) and four interceptions (4th in PAC). He has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Sedunov will make his 34th appearance in a W&J uniform Saturday versus Waynesburg. He has amassed 207 career tackles (7.5 for a loss) and six interceptions. The 6-foot-0, 190-pounder has also recovered four fumbles over the past three seasons. The Washington & Jefferson defense has not allowed an opponent to amass 300 yards in a game this season (231.2 ypg). The Presidents rank in the top 10 nationally in five different statistical categories: total defense (6th), sacks (7th, 3.4 spg), pass efficiency defense (7th, 85.8), scoring defense (8th, 9.4 ppg) and rushing defense (9th, 67.8 ypg). Washington & Jefferson and Waynesburg meet in the 37th “PAC Backyard Brawl” Saturday at Cameron Stadium (1:30 pm). The Presidents have won 33 of the previous 36 meetings and own a five-game winning streak over the Yellow Jackets. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson College junior free safety Craig Sedunov (Herminie, Pa./Yough) was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon by the conference office. Sedunov led the Presidents (7-0, 3-0 PAC) with nine total tackles, while also returning an interception 56 yards for a touchdown in W&J’s 49-7 victory at Westminster on Saturday. He currently leads the team with 44 total tackles and is second on the squad with two interceptions. The Presidents, ranked sixth by the AFCA and 11th by D3football.com, face their toughest test of the year on Saturday afternoon when Thomas More, ranked 13th by the AFCA and 20th by D3Football.com, travels to Cameron Stadium for a 1:30 pm kickoff. A Saints’ win would give TMC its second-straight conference title. The Presidents could clinch the PAC title and automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs with a win over the Saints and one victory in their final two games (at Bethany – Nov. 7; Waynesburg – Nov. 14). -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Washington & Jefferson College senior defensive tackle Brandon Bovina (Mingo Junction, Ohio/Indian Creek) is this week’s Presidents’ Athletic Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week. In addition, Bovina was selected as the ECAC Division III South Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Bovina helped W&J become the 20th team in school history to start a season with a 6-0 record (2-0 PAC) Saturday following a 21-7 victory at Saint Vincent. Bovina collected five tackles, including one for a loss, and sealed the victory by recovering a fumble in the end zone with 2:45 remaining. The fumble recovery was his first career touchdown. The 6-foot-1, 270-pounder has 10 tackles on the season, including 3.5 stops for a loss, and one sack. He has also forced one fumble, while adding two pass breakups/deflections. In 34 career games, the three-year letterwinner has amassed 52 tackles (24 solo). A total of 12.5 of those tackles have come behind the line of scrimmage. He has three fumble recoveries and 2.5 sacks, while forcing a pair of fumbles. Bovina has led the W&J defense which is atop the PAC in scoring defense (10.7 ppg), total defense (220.2 ypg), pass defense (162.7 ypg), rush defense (57.5 ypg), pass defense efficiency rating (89.4), sacks (24) and red-zone defense (4 stops in 12 chances). The seventh-ranked Presidents' last two games against Geneva and Saint Vincent have not counted towards PAC standings due to their NCAA provisional status, but W&J starts its stretch of four-straight conference contests to end the season on Saturday. Washington & Jefferson travels to New Wilmington, Pa., for a 1:30 pm kickoff with the Westminster Titans. -- PRESIDENTS -- W&J FOOTBALL RANKED IN THREE DIFFERENT POLLS (10/13)
WASHINGTON, Pa. -- The Washington & Jefferson College football team is ranked in three different polls as it prepares for the second half of its 2009 season. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 poll has W&J (5-0, 2-0 PAC) as its No. 7 team for the second-straight week. W&J dipped one spot to No. 9 in this week’s D3football.com Top 25 poll. The ECAC released its first Lambert Meadowlands Division III Football Poll presented by FieldTurf Tarkett on Tuesday and W&J is the No. 2 ranked squad behind Wesley (5-0). To be eligible for the Lambert Meadowlands Award, a school must be located in the East or play at least half of its schedule against eligible Lambert teams. The territory includes New York, New Jersey, New England and Pennsylvania, while teams in the bordering states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and the District of Columbia qualify if at least half of their schedule features eligible teams. Teams in Eastern-based football conferences, regardless of location, qualify if at least half their schedule is against Lambert eligible teams. The top five teams in the AFCA and D3football.com national rankings are the same. Mount Union leads both polls and is followed by Wisconsin-Whitewater, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Wheaton (Ill.) and Wesley. Thomas More is the only other Presidents’ Athletic Conference school in all three polls. The AFCA poll lists TMC at No. 17, while D3football.com projects the Saints as the No. 21 team in the nation. Thomas More is also fifth in the Lambert Meadowlands poll. W&J and Thomas More (5-0, 3-0 PAC) will square off at Cameron Stadium on October 31st (1:30 pm) in a rematch of last year’s 35-29 Saints’ victory which determined the conference championship. Washington & Jefferson is looking to become the 20th team in school history to start a season with six consecutive wins on Saturday when it travels to Saint Vincent’s Chuck Noll Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm. W&J has relied on its defense through the first half of the season. The Presidents lead the PAC in six different defensive statistical categories and rank third in NCAA Division III in total defense (205.2 ypg), rushing defense (47.8 ypg) and sacks (4.4 spg). -- PRESIDENTS -- WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson senior defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North) earned conference, regional and national player of the week awards over the past three days. On Monday, Bloomhuff was selected as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Football Defensive Player of the Week. Yesterday, D3football.com named Bloomhuff to its National Division III Team of the Week. His final award came Wednesday as he was chosen as the ECAC Division III Southwest Defensive Player of the Week. The awards rolled in following Bloomhuff’s career day Saturday in which he led No. 7 W&J to a 31-10 victory over previously undefeated Geneva. The 6-foot-3, 245-pounder recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks which resulted in a loss of 20 yards for the Golden Tornadoes. He finished the game with eight total tackles. Bloomhuff helped the W&J defense limit Geneva to 136 total yards, including 12 in the second half. The Golden Tornadoes averaged only 2.5 yards per play and W&J garnered seven sacks. On the season, Bloomhuff is tied for fifth in NCAA Division III with eight sacks. He has 17 total tackles, including seven for a loss (T89th in nation). He is six sacks shy of tying Matt Szczpinski (1994), Erik Franklin (1994) and Mark Kern (1987) for the fourth-highest, single-season sack total in the 118-year history of W&J football. Bloomhuff has played in 29 career games for the Red & Black and owns 110 career tackles. He also has posted 35 tackles for a loss and 20 sacks. Stephan Swentkowsky (1988-90) holds the Presidents’ all-time record with 43 career sacks. The Washington & Jefferson defense has proved to be one of the nation’s best during the first five weeks as the unit is ranked fifth in the country in total defense (205.2 ypg). W&J also ranks third in sacks (4.4 spg), seventh in rushing defense (47.8 ypg), 10th in pass efficiency defense (86.16) and 12th in scoring defense (11.4 ppg). W&J (5-0) is idle this Saturday, but hits the road on Oct. 17th, traveling to Saint Vincent for a 1:00 pm kickoff. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson senior safety Mitch Erdely (Perryopolis, Pa./Geibel) is a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy), endowed by HealthSouth. Erdely is also one of 134 candidates from all NCAA and NAIA playing divisions for the 2009 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29th. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2009 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Campbell Trophy winner, who will have his scholarship increased to $25,000, will be announced live at the NFF’s Annual Awards Dinner on December 8th at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of $277,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening. Erdely, a senior captain, holds down a 3.90 grade-point average as an accounting major. A Dean’s List student and a three-year member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Fall Honor Roll, Erdely has played 34 games in a W&J uniform and has gathered 121 career tackles. Erdely also has collected seven career pass breakups, three interceptions, three tackles for a loss and one fumble recovery. Last year, he was third on the squad with 76 tackles, including a career-high 14 stops at Mary Hardin-Baylor in the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. Erdely has 35 career tackles in the NCAA playoffs. This season, Erdely is third on the team with 26 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Washington & Jefferson owns a 35-5 record since Erdely’s arrival on campus and has made three-straight trips to the NCAA playoffs. Erdely is also a part of two Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship teams. A total of 34 student-athletes from NCAA Division III are in contention for the prestigious award. Among the Division I FBS nominees are Tim Tebow of Florida and Colt McCoy of Texas. “On the heels of our recent announcement to rename our top scholar-athlete award in honor of Bill Campbell, we are incredibly proud to select the next winner from this remarkable group of semifinalists,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (1997 Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “As one of the nation’s most influential business leaders, Bill Campbell is a powerful example of football’s unique ability to build leadership qualities in our young people. The semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy have already built track records that place them squarely in his footsteps.” In 2005, Washington & Jefferson quarterback Chris Edwards was one of 16 finalists for the award and received the NFF post-graduate scholarship. -- PRESIDENTS -- WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson senior wide receiver Craig Besong (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) was selected as the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. In addition, D3football.com named Besong to its National Team of the Week for week three on Tuesday. Besong led eighth-ranked Washington & Jefferson to a 56-16 rout of Thiel on Saturday at Cameron Stadium by grabbing nine passes for 159 yards and one touchdown. His 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter upped W&J’s lead to 14-0. Besong, a 2008 D3football.com Second Team All-South Region performer, leads the PAC in receptions (8.3) and receiving yards (111.0) per game. He has caught at least eight passes in all three games and has posted two 100-yard receiving days. Besong is also tied for fourth in the conference with three touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has amassed 119 career receptions for 1,752 yards and 24 touchdowns. He will pass Tom McCafferty ’07 for fifth place on the all-time reception list with nine more catches. Besong has caught at least one pass in all 27 games he has played in a W&J uniform. He has also notched three or more receptions in 16 consecutive contests. W&J travels to Grove City on Saturday for a 7:00 pm showdown with the Wolverines. The Presidents, who have defeated GCC 10 consecutive times, can become the 36th team in school history to start a season 4-0 with a win. -- PRESIDENTS -- WASHINGTON, Pa. – The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) released its first Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll on Tuesday and Washington & Jefferson is the seventh-ranked team. The Presidents (3-0, 1-0 PAC), who are ranked 8th by D3football.com, received 700 points in the poll. Mount Union is ranked first with 39 first-place votes and 999 points. Wisconsin-Whitewater (947 pts., 1 first-place vote) is second, while Mary-Hardin Baylor, Wheaton (Ill.), Wesley, St. John’s, W&J, Cortland State, Wabash and Case Western Reserve round out the top ten teams. The Presidents’ Athletic Conference has two teams ranked in the poll as defending league champion Thomas More is 24th with 109 points. W&J and TMC meet Oct. 31st at Cameron Stadium during Hall of Fame Weekend at the college. Washington & Jefferson has earned victories over Oberlin (35-9), Frostburg State (34-12) and Thiel (56-16) in 2009. The Presidents own the nation’s 13th-ranked total defense (219.3 ypg) and have not allowed an opponent to amass more than 12 first downs. W&J also possesses the country’s 13th-ranked scoring offense at 41.7 points per game. Washington & Jefferson leads the PAC in nine different statistical categories. W&J and Grove City (1-2, 1-0 PAC) meet Saturday evening (7:00 pm) in a crucial PAC game at Robert E. Thorn Field in Grove City, Pa. The Presidents and Wolverines (40.7 ppg) own the top two scoring offenses in the conference. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson College junior kicker/punter Joe Kelly (West Grove, Pa./Chartiers Valley) was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Football Special Teams Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. Kelly was 5-for-5 on extra-point attempts in the Presidents 35-9 victory over Oberlin in the home opener on Saturday night. He also averaged 40.0 yards on four punts, including two inside the 20-yard line. The junior attempted six kickoffs for the Red & Black in the 29-point victory, averaging 58.7 yards per kick. The Presidents, ranked 10th by D3football.com, travel to Frostburg State (0-1) for a 7:00 pm Saturday night contest at Bobcat Stadium. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Washington & Jefferson Head Football Coach Mike Sirianni announced the 2009 team captains on Sunday at the team’s annual intrasquad scrimmage. Seniors Craig Besong (Baden, Pa./Ambridge), Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North), Brandon Bovina (Mingo Junction, Ohio/Indian Creek), Mitch Erdely (Perryopolis, Pa./Geibel) and Kirk Fulton (South Park, Pa./South Park) {left} were chosen as the squad’s captains by their teammates. Besong returns as one of the nation’s top wide receivers after amassing 75 catches for 1,186 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. He was an ECAC All-Star as well as a D3football.com Second Team All-South Region selection. Bloomhuff, another ECAC All-Star, teams with Bovina as a solid duo on the Presidents’ defensive line. Bloomhuff is one of the PAC’s top pass rushers. He garnered 51 tackles last season, including team-high totals of 14.5 stops for a loss and 7.5 sacks. Bovina has battled injuries throughout his career, but racked up 24 tackles last year, including seven behind the line of scrimmage (1 sack). Erdely, an Honorable-Mention All-PAC defensive back last year, also excels on the Presidents’ special teams units. He was the team’s third-leading tackler (76), while also notching four pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. Fulton is a two-time All-PAC selection who will anchor the offensive line from his left tackle position. He helped W&J set a school record last year with 6,118 total yards. Sirianni leads Washington & Jefferson into the 2009 season opener on Saturday, Sept. 5, versus Oberlin under the lights at Cameron Stadium (7:00 pm). W&J holds a 5-1 record in season openers under Sirianni and an 83-32-2 mark (.718) all time in season-opening contests. Since 1984, W&J is 21-3-1 during season openers, including a 12-2 mark when playing at home. -- PRESIDENTS --
LATROBE, Pa. - Defending Presidents' Athletic Conference champion Thomas More was selected to repeat in 2009 on Wednesday at the PAC Football Media Day at Saint Vincent College's Rogers Center. The Saints, who finished the 2008 season with an 8-3 record, including a 6-0 mark in the PAC, received 18 of a possible 28 first-place votes. TMC earned 200 points in the poll. Washington & Jefferson collected nine first-place votes and 191 total points. W&J posted an 11-2 overall record last season and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Presidents are ranked 14th nationally in the preseason D3football.com Top 25 Poll. Grove City held down the No. 3 spot in the poll with 115 points, while Waynesburg (86), Westminster (82), Bethany (67) and Thiel (43) closed the preseason predictions. The Tomcats also earned one first-place vote. Head Coach Mike Sirianni leads his Presidents into the 2009 season opener on Saturday, Sept. 5th as W&J hosts Oberlin at 7:00 pm at Cameron Stadium. The game will mark the first on Washington & Jefferson's brand-new Real Grass artificial turf surface. -- PRESIDENTS -- 2009 WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW (8/6) Washington & Jefferson Head Coach Mike Sirianni was playing little league baseball the last time the Presidents finished a season with fewer wins than losses. W&J has recorded 25 consecutive winning seasons and Sirianni has been a part of the last 10, including six as a head coach. Under his leadership, W&J has produced the top five receivers and two of the top five rushing leaders in school history as well as three quarterbacks who have passed for more than 8,000 yards. W&J has proven that tradition and history, in addition to solid recruiting, can produce a nationally-ranked program year after year. “Every year, our seniors pass something down to our underclassmen and, most importantly, it is confidence,” said Sirianni, who enters 2009 with a 61-10 record, second among all active NCAA football coaches in all divisions. “Programs like ours don’t rebuild. We have good players who wait their turn to be in the spotlight. That is why we put so much emphasis on our junior varsity program. This group of seniors is even more focused. They have a chip on their shoulders and are ready to prove they weren’t just along for the ride the last three years.” That chip developed following the graduation of one of the most successful classes in W&J history. Record-setting quarterback Bobby Swallow, all-time leading receiver David Ravida, two of the nation’s top interior linemen (Matt Houy and Dave Bucar) and the second career leading tackler David Gitlitz headlined a group which led W&J to the NCAA quarterfinals. With the loss of 11 senior starters, some feel W&J could be in a rebuilding mode; however, don’t count Sirianni among them. “We hear the talk and our young men don’t like that,” he added. “Offensively, we are going to be more balanced. We want to attack the perimeter more often. During our playoff success, we have learned that championships are won on defense and by running the football effectively. We have 16 players back who have started at least one game on defense.” The Presidents’ defense will be asked to shoulder the load at the beginning of the season as the offense matures with new skilled position players. W&J’s offense has garnered most of the headlines under Sirianni, but the defensive play improved last season under Defensive Coordinator Matt Caponi’s 4-2-5 formation. W&J finished the 2008 season ranked seventh in Division III in pass efficiency defense (162.8) and 50th in sacks (2.4 spg) and total defense (298.4 ypg). “This is the second year under this system and we expect to improve in all areas,” said the 37-year old head coach. “Our defense doesn’t have to completely carry us early, but we need them to play well from the first snap on Sept. 5th. Our defense won us the game at Millsaps in the second round of the playoffs and that was our biggest win since 1995.” The defense returns eight starters, including D3football.com All-Region junior safety Craig Sedunov and ECAC All-Star senior defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff. Sedunov led the team with 110 tackles a year ago, while adding six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Bloomhuff has been the leading pass rusher since 2007 and enters his final season with 12 career sacks. The defensive line will be bolstered by its depth as 10 players are expected to see significant action. Seniors Ryan Breen, Chad Boskat, Brandon Bovina, Cory Denious and Ricky Morris are all experienced performers, while juniors Alex Patterson and Nathan Terry and sophomores Phil Dern and Frank Gigler are talented players who will push the senior-laden group. “Jacob is a dominant player who can get even better and turn into a leader for this defense,” noted Sirianni. “Brandon returned from an injury last year and played well. We need to get tougher inside and I believe some of our younger guys can really help us in that area.” Sirianni is also ecstatic about the returnees in the secondary, a position he feels his players rank at the top of Division III. Seniors Mitch Erdely, Mike Pohlot and Nate Bucklew and junior Nathan Harmotto team with Sedunov at the safety positions, while junior Michael Trunzo returns as a starter at cornerback. Josh Buckley and Matthew Gal are athletic sophomores who will compete for the other starting job, while Larry Cekella and Dan McGinley are highly-touted freshmen who could see immediate action at Cameron Stadium. “We are going to be tremendous in the secondary with four of our five starters back,” said Sirianni. “This is the best secondary we have had in my years at W&J. Mitch doesn’t get as much notoriety as some of our other guys, but he is a great football player. I expect big things from all of these players.” The middle of the defense will experience change as Gitlitz and John Fahey graduated. Gitlitz collected 318 tackles and was a four-year starter, but Sirianni feels that junior Zach Pugliese is ready to fill in after garnering 45 tackles in his first two seasons. Pugliese started as a freshman, but lost time last year after the Presidents changed the look of the defense. Juniors Nick Resnik, Sal Ruggeri and Jon Pugh and sophomores Neil Sorice and Mitch Rose will battle for the remaining playing time. “Most of these guys have started games for us and we are confident they can step in and play,” said Sirianni. “We need to find a spot on the field for Neil and Mitch also had a great freshmen year. Pugh proved to be an top-notch special teams player and will his role will expand .” The Presidents’ offense returns only three starters and will have its fourth season-opening starting quarterback in Sirianni’s 11th year. Brian Dawson, Chris Edwards and Bobby Swallow have taken more than 98 percent of the snaps over the last decade and the question remains who will be the next signal caller. Sirianni’s ability to groom young quarterbacks can not be questioned as Washington & Jefferson has thrown for 31,626 yards and 320 touchdowns under his guidance. Juniors Steven Shumaker and Gino Rometo and sophomore Taylor Hockman will vie for the starting position. Shumaker was Swallow’s backup last year and completed 13-of-18 passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns. He is also a threat to run the football as he averaged 8.8 yards per attempt. Rometo transferred from Division II Clarion after serving as the Golden Eagles’ starter a year ago, while Hockman is another dual threat. “It is going to be tough to replace Bobby, because he was such a great leader,” added Sirianni. “However, he didn’t take one snap at practice the last five weeks of 2008 because of an injury and Steven gained a ton of experience from those practices. We have the First Team All-PAC quarterback eight of the last 10 years and feel comfortable with these young players.” One player who will help the quarterback is senior wide receiver Craig Besong. Besong, a D3football.com All-South Region choice, compiled one of the top receiving seasons in school history with 75 receptions for 1,186 yards and 16 touchdowns. He racked up four 100-yard games, including a 213-yard performance at Geneva. “In a conference of great wide receivers, Craig is the best,” said Sirianni. “He is a big, physical receiver who causes matchup problems. He played great in the playoffs. Although we lost David Ravida, there is a lot of talent in this position on our squad.” Junior Jordan Roycroft’s role will increase after catching four passes a year ago, while senior Joe Mucho will be more involved in the passing game in addition to his duties on kickoff returns. Sophomore Dreadless Stubbs steadily improved throughout the season and freshman transfer Zach DeCicco is another young player that Sirianni believes can make an immediate impact. Sirianni also feels that 2009 could be a breakout year for junior running back Derek Taylor. Taylor has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons, including a sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 294 yards and two scores, while also catching nine passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Terrence McAllister is a veteran tailback who has rushed for 458 yards and three career touchdowns, while senior Jacob McBride, junior Nick Puckett and sophomore Joe Winters will also have an opportunity to carry the football. Freshmen Brian Baldrige, Ian Hennessy and Tim McNerney all bring impressive high school careers to campus. “We are going to be a true spread offense this year,” added Sirianni. “None of these players have to be the every down back. They all have experience and have performed in key situations. We are very excited about our freshmen running backs. They are enormously talented.” The loss of Houy and Bucar on the offensive line will be offset by the return of the starting tackles senior Kirk Fulton and junior Adam Zampatti. Seniors Pat Denecke and Matt Montenero are versatile players who performed well in the NCAA playoffs and a host of players will have a chance to earn a starting position in August. Senior Jacob Hornick, juniors Paul Jefferis, Ed Hirsh, Mark Pleiss and Kane Danison, sophomores Anthony Natale, Gary Flavion, Justin Cole and Jared Peretic and freshmen Mike Mastellino and Tim Yaksick provide the Presidents with plenty of depth up front. “We lost two great leaders, but for the first time in my years here, I think we have 10-15 guys who can really play,” noted Sirianni. “I like our depth at this position. Pat really stepped up in the playoffs. Paul is probably the strongest player on our team. Again, this is another position where freshmen could come right in and see playing time early on and that doesn’t happen too often at Washington & Jefferson.” Junior Joe Kelly took over the placekicking duties late in the year and made 19-of-20 extra-point attempts. He will be pushed by freshmen Matthew Jaynes and Colin Kracinovsky. Zack Zebrasky will not be the Presidents’ punter for the first time in four years and a candidate to fill his spot will be determined during preseason camp. “We have a lot of great players in our freshman class and there are a few more opportunities to play than usual,” said Sirianni. “Some of our freshmen turned down scholarships to play here. A lot of these young men are state champions and know what it takes to win football games.” The deep run in last year’s postseason capped another memorable year for W&J; however, reclaiming the PAC Championship is the focus for this senior group. “Thomas More is definitely the favorite,” concluded Sirianni. “They beat us and then didn’t get a favorable draw in the playoffs so they will be ready to defend their championship. I believe we are going to benefit from the extra weeks of practice during the NCAA playoffs last year. I am excited for this preseason camp to begin because I believe we have a special group.” -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – D3football.com released its seventh annual NCAA Division III Preseason Top 25 poll on Tuesday and Washington & Jefferson was ranked No. 14 by the website. D3football.com is in its 11th year covering Division III football. The website’s Top 25 poll is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country. The preseason top 25 mention is the third for the Presidents this summer as The Sporting News listed the Presidents as its preseason No. 13 team, while Lindy’s College Football Preview placed W&J as the No. 17 team in its Top 25 poll. Mount Union is the No. 1 team in D3football.com’s poll with 23 first-place votes and 623 points. Wisconsin-Whitewater (two first-place votes) is second with 602 points followed by Mary Hardin-Baylor (560), North Central (497) and Hardin-Simmons (459) in the top five. W&J garnered 219 points. The Presidents were the preseason No. 13 team last year by D3football.com, their highest ever preseason ranking by the website. W&J was 11th in the final 2008 D3football.com poll. The only other team from the Presidents’ Athletic Conference to garner a vote in the preseason poll is defending league champion Thomas More. The Saints received six votes and were listed among the other 28 teams which picked up at least one vote. Washington & Jefferson returns 11 starters (3 offense, 8 defense) from last year’s 11-2 squad which advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs. Seventh-year Head Coach Mike Sirianni (61-10, .859) returns 46 letter winners to preseason camp which starts August 14th, but will have to replace Bobby Swallow, the most accurate quarterback in NCAA Division III history. Sirianni enters the 2009 season with the second-best active winning percentage among all NCAA football coaches with at least five years of experience. Mount Union’s Larry Kehres (275-21-3, .925) leads the way followed by Sirianni, Southern Cal’s Pete Carroll (88-15, .854), St. Norbert’s Jim Purtill (91-16, .851) and Florida’s Urban Meyer (83-17, .830). The Presidents, who have compiled 25 consecutive winning seasons, open the 2009 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 5th when hosting Oberlin at 7:00 pm at Cameron Stadium. Washington & Jefferson has competed in 20 of the last 24 NCAA Division III playoffs, including five-straight bids under Sirianni. -- PRESIDENTS --
WASHINGTON, Pa. – Two national college football publications have ranked Washington & Jefferson College in their 2009 Division III Top 25 preseason polls. The Sporting News listed the Presidents as its preseason No. 13 team, while Lindy’s placed W&J as the No. 17 team in its Top 25 poll. The Sporting News selects Wisconsin-Whitewater as its preseason No. 1 team and Mount Union, St. John’s (Minn.), Mary Hardin-Baylor and Delaware Valley round out the top five. Mount Union tops the Lindy’s poll, while Wisconsin-Whitewater, North Central, Delaware Valley and Monmouth follow. Washington & Jefferson returns 11 starters (3 offense, 8 defense) from last year’s 11-2 squad which advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs. Seventh-year Head Coach Mike Sirianni (61-10, .859) returns 46 letter winners to preseason camp in the fall, but will have to replace Bobby Swallow, the most accurate quarterback in NCAA Division III history. Senior 6-foot-3 wide receiver Craig Besong (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) {right} is the team’s top offensive threat. Besong racked up 75 receptions (3rd in W&J history) for 1,186 yards and 16 touchdowns during his breakout junior season. With 34 receptions in 2009, Besong will move into the top five pass catchers in W&J history. The Presidents return a healthy nucleus on defense, including senior ECAC All-Star defensive end Jacob Bloomhuff (Grosse Pointe, Mich./North). Bloomhuff owns 12 career sacks, including 7.5 last season. Junior All-Region free safety Craig Sedunov (West Newton, Pa./Yough) led the Presidents in tackles (110) and pass breakups (6) a year ago. Sirianni enters the 2009 season with the second-best active winning percentage among all NCAA football coaches with at least five years of experience. Mount Union’s Larry Kehres (275-21-3, .925) leads the way followed by Sirianni, Southern Cal’s Pete Carroll (88-15, .854), St. Norbert’s Jim Purtill (91-16, .851) and Florida’s Urban Meyer (83-17, .830). The Presidents, who have compiled 25 consecutive winning seasons, open the 2009 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 5th when hosting Oberlin at 7:00 pm at Cameron Stadium. Washington & Jefferson has competed in 20 of the last 24 NCAA Division III playoffs, including five-straight under Sirianni. -- PRESIDENTS -- |
W&J'S SIRIANNI BEGINS 2010 SEASON SECOND AMONG ACTIVE NCAA FOOTBALL COACHES (8/23)
W&J PICKED TO FINISH SECOND IN PAC PRESEASON POLL (8/4)
2010 WASH. & JEFF. SEASON PREVIEW (8/4)
USA TODAY SPORTS WEEKLY RANKS W&J 19TH IN PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLL (6/22)
W&J FOOTBALL RANKED BY A PAIR OF PRESEASON NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS (6/1)
CRAIG BESONG NAMED D3FOOTBALL.COM ALL-AMERICAN (12/21)
FOUR PRESIDENTS SELECTED AS ECAC FOOTBALL ALL-STARS (12/17)
JACOB BLOOMHUFF NAMED AFCA ALL-AMERICAN (12/15)
W&J LANDS FOUR ON ALL-SOUTH REGION FOOTBALL TEAM (12/11)
MITCH ERDELY SELECTED TO ESPN ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM (11/24)
JACOB BLOOMHUFF TO PARTICIPATE IN FOOTBALL ALL-STAR CLASSIC (12/1)
SEVEN PRESIDENTS NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-PAC FOOTBALL (11/16)
W&J EARNS NCAA BID; PRESIDENTS HEAD TO DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPION MOUNT UNION (11/15)
SEDUNOV NAMED PAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (10/26)
W&J’S BOVINA EARNS TWO WEEKLY FOOTBALL AWARDS (10/19)
W&J’S JACOB BLOOMHUFF EARNS TRIO OF WEEKLY AWARDS (10/7)
W&J’S CRAIG BESONG EARNS NATIONAL ATTENTION AND CONFERENCE WEEKLY AWARD (9/22)
W&J RANKED 7TH IN FIRST AFCA DIVISION III COACHES POLL (9/22)
W&J’S JOE KELLY NAMED PAC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK (9/8)
W&J FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES 2009 TEAM CAPTAINS (8/24)
THOMAS MORE THE TOP CHOICE AT 2009 PAC FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY (8/5)
W&J RANKED 14TH IN PRESEASON D3FOOTBALL.COM POLL (8/4)
NATIONAL MAGAZINES RANK W&J FOOTBALL IN TOP 25 (6/3)
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