Staff writer

jmontecalvo@observer-reporter.com

WAYNESBURG - You've probably heard of teams having a bend-but-don't-break defense. It's a common phrase used for football teams that tend to give up yardage, but don't allow opponents to score.

After Saturday's performance, Waynesburg University might want to consider calling its defense a bend-then-make-a-big-play unit.

The Yellow Jackets gave ground on several drives to Presidents' Athletic Conference foe Thiel, especially in the second half. But Waynesburg's defense came up with five interceptions - three in the final 30 minutes - and several key stops to preserve a 25-20 win over the Tomcats at Wiley Stadium.

The victory keeps Waynesburg undefeated with a 4-0 record in the PAC and a 7-0 overall mark. It also sets up next Saturday's home game against Washington & Jefferson (3-0, 7-0) that should determine the PAC champion.

"Our secondary, and the adjustments they're making for each other with Dylan (August) getting hurt, was really good," Yellow Jackets head coach Rick Shepas said. "Thiel did a good job with some line stunts, but we've been working at it. There are still a lot of ways we can get better, and that's good to say at this point in the season."

It would be difficult for standout freshman running back Robert Heller, a Ringgold graduate, to get much better. He broke two school records during the game and finished with 135 yards on 32 carries. With those totals, accumulated in only seven games, Heller now holds the Waynesburg single-season records for rushing yards (1,305) and attempts (238). But he credited the Yellow Jackets' defense with the win.

"I want to see a better defense than ours. All the credit goes to them," said Heller, whose score from one yard out capped Waynesburg's opening drive and pulled him to within one TD of Don Herrmann's 39-year-old school record for touchdowns in a season.

The first of Waynesburg's interceptions set up Heller's score. On the play, free safety Stefon Strothers came on a blitz and forced a floating throw from Thiel quarterback Marc LaScola that ended up in the hands of defensive back Ryan Krull.

The Yellow Jackets' next interception came with four minutes left in the first quarter. LaScola, again under pressure from Strothers, had his pass go through a receiver's hands and to cornerback Jaques Newberry, who returned it 20 yards for a score and a 12-0 Waynesburg lead.

Waynesburg yielded only 66 total yards in the first half and jumped out to a 25-7 lead at the break. The Jackets gave up 185 yards and two touchdowns - a three-yard run by Dan Hess and a 14-yard pass from LaScola to John Adams - in the second half, but that's also when the Yellow Jackets made some of the most important plays of the game.

Strothers had two interceptions and linebacker Brendon Steele came away with another, and defensive tackle LaDrekus Burford made a key tackle for a five-yard loss. Each stopped Thiel drives.

"We stay together and that's what they teach us," Strothers said. "We play as a collective whole and we're just one out there."

Defensive end Mike Czerwien, who led the nation averaging 1.9 sacks per game entering the contest, had three in five plays during a second-half series. D.J. DeWitt also had three sacks and Dan Andreassi led Waynesburg with 14 tackles.

The No. 25-ranked Yellow Jackets got help from their special teams as well.

Waynesburg High School graduate Scott Cree returned a punt 75 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Cree also recovered Thiel's onside kick after the Tomcats (1-4, 2-6) pulled to within five with one minute left in the game.

"I'm really excited for Scott Cree," Shepas said. "He's been pressing and now he's relaxed. I thought he played his best game."

Fullback Aaron Davis added a 63-yard touchdown run in the first half that gave Waynesburg an 18-0 lead. Davis ran away from two Thiel defensive backs and dragged one the final few yards into the end zone.

"Big plays come back and haunt you," Thiel coach Jack Leipheimer said. "I thought we contained (Heller) fairly well. He's a heck of a back."

The records are important to Heller, who entered the game leading the nation in rushing, but he's focused on the upcoming game.

"It's better to break records when you're on a winning team. This is the first 7-0 team I've been on," Heller said. "I'm looking forward to next week."

Notes

Heller has 19 touchdowns. ... Ryan Abels previously held Waynesburg's single-season rushing record with 1,299 yards in 2005. ... Strothers and Steele are Canon-McMillan graduates. ... Thiel was without running back Steve Minton, who suffered a season-ending spinal injury last week. ... LaScola is a converted wide receiver. He was the Tomcats' top pass catcher before moving to quarterback after Willie Bova went down with an injury three weeks ago.

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