Sep 20, 2014 5 min read

For the first time since 1989, Washington & Jefferson will resume its series against Carnegie Mellon.

So naturally, the game has more meaning than a win or loss, but mostly to those old enough to remember the intense feelings from these games that were played a quarter century ago.

This is the Presidents’ Athletic Conference opener for both teams, and W&J will be seeking its 700th victory in program history when kickoff occurs at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Cameron Stadium.

The game also revives a dormant rivalry that burned red-hot until the Tartans bolted for the University Athletic Association.

“I wasn’t here when the last game was played so I don’t know,” said Mike Sirianni, W&J’s head coach. “I do know they are well-coached, they have physically tough kids and they have had an extra week to prepare for us.”

The Presidents got win No. 699 last week when tailback Ryan Ruffing scored five touchdowns for the second time this season in a 56-21 rout of Westminster.

Only two other NCAA Division III teams have won more games than W&J: Wittenberg with 727 and Mount Union with 729. Michigan leads all divisions with 912 victories and Notre Dame is second with 877.

“To the program, it means a lot,” said Sirianni. “It shows the longevity and the success of the program. They went to the Rose Bowl. Walk into (Henry Memorial Center) and the first thing you see is a picture of Fats Henry. It is not about the last 10 year or the last 30 years. It’s about the last 100 years.”

Ruffing enters the game as the leading scorer in the NCAA, all divisions, and has a legitimate shot at reaching the school record of 32 touchdowns, set in 1992 by Chris Babirad. The Presidents reached the Division III finals that season, falling to Wisconsin-LaCrosse, 16-12, in Bradenton, Fla.

“I could never have guessed that would happen,” said Ruffing, who also has rushed for 322 yards in two games. “I just planned on coming in and giving my best effort. My preseason goal was just to win games. I’m not sure I can (reach 32). We have so many playmakers, I don’t think I can.”

Carnegie Mellon lost its opener, 30-0, to Case Western Reserve. CMU and Case Western shed their probationary status this season and are full-fledged members in football.

Carnegie Mellon rushed for 39 yards and passed for 149 against Case.

If California University’s football team emerges from the first three games of the season with a 2-1 record, it would be quite am accomplishment.

The Vulcans easily have one of the toughest early schedules in NCAA Division II.

In the home and season opener, Cal defeated a Virginia State team that went 9-1 last season. Last week in Bloomsburg, the Vulcans lost in overtime to the defending PSAC champion. This week, they draw Shippensburg, which finished in a three-way tie for first place in the PSAC East Division a year ago.

Those three teams combined for a 29-7 record last year and are off to a 4-2 start this season.

“We’re trying to make sure fans get their money’s worth,” quipped Cal head coach Mike Kellar. “The schedule-makers didn’t make it easy for us. Virginia State, then to Bloom, then to Ship. It’s a difficult schedule.”

A rule change by the PSAC makes the crossover games count in Cal’s conference standings. So the Vulcans are in a four-way tie for last place with some good company: Indiana, the preseason favorite in the West, Edinboro and Mercyhurst.

The loss to Bloomsburg came about when quarterback James Harris had a pass tipped and intercepted one play into overtime. Braden Drexler kicked a 32-yard field to win it for Bloomsburg.

“I hope the bad feeling we had after that loss and the hunger to win stays with us,” Kellar said. “We have to move on and keep those lessons in mind.”

Despite the loss, Cal might have found its starting tailback in Terrell Roberson, a cornerback who was switched before the season. Robinson rushed for 82 yards on 11 carries last week.

“He runs so hard,” Kellar said. “We needed more depth there. We made a couple moves to stretch the backfield.”

Shippensburg has scored a combined 102 points in wins over Seton Hill and Edinboro. Tailback Blair Brooks is averaging 150 yards rushing per game, and quarterback Chris Lawshe has thrown for 461 yards and four TDs.

Kellar said Zach Hooks, an offensive lineman who transferred from Temple, must sit out this season and will have two years of eligibility remaining. Hooks attended Charleroi but is an Aliquippa graduate.

With the pieces falling into place on defense and the offense performing well, Waynesburg University is looking for its first 3-0 start since 2012, when the Yellow Jackets opened 9-0.

To do that, Waynesburg must get past an improving Geneva team that is coming off a 42-0 victory over Grove City that improved its record to 1-1.

“They are a hungry football team,” said Yellow Jackets head coach Rick Shepas. “They have had a tough start but their record is deceiving. I see them as a team that is improved and playing hard.”

Waynesburg held Saint Vincent to one touchdown in the second half in a 35-24 win last week and was credited with allowing 17 points because one touchdown came on a kickoff return. Defensive back Mike Lopuchovsky had two interceptions and three breakups.

“He is never out of position,” Shepas said. “He’s a smart player and hard worker. He made great plays on both interceptions.”

Geneva’s passing game has carried the offense with Aaron Channing throwing for 449 yards and four TDs. Lemuel Fuller has a team-high 12 catches for 131 yards.