By Joe Tuscano, Staff writer

jtuscano@observer-reporter.com

It's a good thing Waynesburg University has a bye week. It might take that long to add up all the good things Robert Heller has done for the program in just two games.

Heller, a Ringgold graduate and one of the more talented runners to come out of the WPIAL two seasons ago, has found a home with the Yellow Jackets and nothing has slowed him down.

The 5-9, 190-pound freshman has been sensational in the Yellow Jackets' two victories, 28-10 over Musskingum in the opener and 45-35 over Wooster last Saturday.

Heller, the Observer-Reporter's Athlete of the Year in 2006, set Waynesburg single-game rushing records against Wooster for his 277 yards and 46 carries. His five rushing touchdowns tied a school mark.

Heller has 507 rushing yards, a 6.5-yard average per carry and is on pace for more than 2,500 yards rushing. Heller is the leading rusher in all college divisions.

"He's everything we thought he would be and more," said Waynesburg head coach Rick Shepas. "He sure takes a lot of pressure off our quarterback. He puts a lot of life in our offensive line because they know if they finish their blocks, big things can happen."

"My goals are to rush for 2,000 yards and be the leading rusher in the country," said Heller. "You always want to set your goals high. I didn't really expect that many yards in the first couple of games."

Heller's path to Waynesburg was forged by Shepas' dogged recruiting efforts. Heller could have played in Division II or higher but was impressed with Waynesburg.

"After talking with Coach Shepas, it made my decision easy," Heller said. "He's one of the best coaches I've talk to."

Heller feels some schools passed on him because he attended prep school last season.

"In the back of my mind, I think I got overlooked," he said. "I'm here and I want to stay here."

That's good news for the Yellow Jackets, bad news for their opponents.

"I coached at Massillon and there were a lot of blue-chip players there," Shepas said. "He rates right up there with the guys I've had."

Hanover at

Wash & Jeff

It's understandable that there were kinks to work out in a season-opening 28-20 victory over Geneva. What was surprising for W&J was where and how the leaks sprung from.

W&J's secondary nearly allowed the Golden Tornadoes to rally in the fourth quarter. A dropped pass by Brian Dvorsak in the end zone with 30 seconds to play dashed Geneva's hopes of tying the game.

W&J's secondary also had three pass interference penalties early in the game.

"Those are aggressive mistakes and I'll take that," said W&J head coach Mike Sirianni. "I'm worried about that dropped pass play. (Dvorsak) got behind the secondary. That's what worries me."

Sirianni wants a better effort from the offensive line and will work tackle Kirk Fulton into the rotation.

One unusual wrinkle Sirianni put in on special teams was an odd alignment for punts. The linemen take large splits, and instead of having one man in the backfield to protect the punter, Sirianni uses three.

The wide splits make it nearly impossible for an outside rusher to block a punt. The three men guarding punter Zach Zebrasky make it extremely difficult to break through the middle.

"A lot of teams use it," Sirianni said. "LSU uses it. Zach can still throw from that if we want."

This will be the final meeting between W&J and Hanover. The Panthers' head coach Wayne Perry is retiring at the end of the season after 26 seasons, which so far has produced a 172-83-2 record.

California at Cheyney

California University enters the game against Cheyney in a unique position. The Vulcans are ranked 15th in two major NCAA Division II polls and that spot is believed to be the highest in the program's history.

The Vulcans jumped four spots up the poll after an impressive 31-13 victory over Bloomsburg. It was the first victory over Bloomsburg since 1984, a span of four games in the series.

Cal has not struggled against Cheyney, winning the last 12 meetings and not allowing the Wolves to reach double figures since a 68-12 victory in 2001.

Cheyney is coming off an 80-14 thumping against Indiana.

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