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Record-performance has Swallow soaring
jtuscano@observer-reporter.com
He tied a record with six touchdown passes, completed 20 of 25 throws for 307 yards, and led Washington & Jefferson to a 50-14 victory over Hanover last week.
Just think what Bobby Swallow could have done if had played more than 30 minutes.
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"We took what they were giving us and they were giving us the pass," said Swallow, who was named the PAC Offensive Player of the Week. "That's the type of game that just sort of unfolds in front of you. It's like in baseball, when the baseball looks as big as beach balls when you're at bat."
The early part of football games have been Swallow's strength. In his college career, he's completed 69 of 85 passes for 1,014 of his 2,584 career yards. Swallow has thrown nearly half of his 30 touchdown passes in the first quarter.
Swallow's performance against Hanover put his name with those of Chris Edwards and Brian Dawson in the record book. Dawson tossed six touchdowns against Randolph-Macon in a 53-21 regular-season victory in 2000. Edwards' six came in a 56-0 victory over Bethany in 2004.
"When I came here, their names were something I thought about," said Swallow. "I know how good they are. Being in the record book with them is an honor. And for what they did in the NCAA, it's an even greater honor."
It's been a good season for Swallow, who has completed 72 percent of his 50 passes for 562 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is third in Division III in passing efficiency (232.4 ypg), 13th in passing yards (281.0) and 24th in total offense (284.5).
Swallow will have an opportunity to improve on those numbers Saturday night, when Oberlin (0-2) visits W&J in the final game before the PAC opponents arrive.
"We have to put them away quickly," Swallow said. "We can't allow them to hang around."
Waynesburg
at Grove City
When Waynesburg University's football team takes the field against Grove City Saturday, the Yellow Jackets will make history, win or lose. So will the Wolverines.
That's because these two teams will be playing in the first night home game in Grove City's history. Newly installed lights at Robert E. Thorn Field make it possible.
Waynesburg also made the same type of history in 1929, when the Yellow Jackets played Duquesne in the first night game in Pittsburgh history. Waynesburg's first home night game was against Randolph-Macon in 1949 and the Jackets last played a night game at Marietta in 1998.
Grove City is coming off an impressive 23-16 victory over Thomas More after dropping its first two games of the season, 17-13 to Dickinson and 16-6 to Carnegie-Mellon. Andrew DiDonato, a sophomore from South Fayette, quarterbacks the Wolverines. He has completed 63 of 108 passes for 590 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.
Sure to be in the spotlight against Grove City is Robert Heller, whose two-week rushing total of 507 yards led the NCAA in all divisions. Heller will be rested because the Yellow Jackets are coming off a bye week.
Linebacker Brendon Steele leads the Yellow Jackets with 17 tackles, one more than defensive end Mike Czerwien.
Local Division I player updates
Andy Miller, a 6-6, 253-pound freshman from Trinity, has been moved from tight end to offensive line by Ohio State. ... Elliott Bates, a graduate of Chartiers-Houston, is a second-team left guard for Akron. He is a 6-4, 295-pound sophomore. ... Mark Faldowski, a Trinity graduate, is a junior defensive tackle at Army. The 6-3, 245-pounder lettered last season. ... Travis Thomas, a Washington graduate, has played in all three of Notre Dame games. The tailback has struggled with the rest of the offense, rushing 14 times for 18 yards.
