Nov 17, 2025 5 min read

By Jack Sacco

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

It’s not easy to play quarterback for the Washington & Jefferson football program.

A complex offensive system and rich history of successful passers gives the position a certain mystique.

It can be especially tough being the successor to one of the program’s greats at the position.

After winning the starting quarterback job ahead of the current season, senior Kellan Stahl was faced with following one of those greats.

Jacob Pugh took the reins as the Presidents’ quarterback in the middle of the 2022 season. In his two-and-a-half seasons leading the offense, Pugh put together numbers that stand among the best in W&J history.

Meanwhile, Stahl, a graduate of Richland High School in Johnstown, stood pat, getting work as the junior varsity quarterback his freshman season, then serving as Pugh’s backup the following two years. In an era of college football in which players transfer to play immediately, Stahl decided to learn and develop in a program that would get the best out of him.

“For a young man to stick in the program for three years knowing for the last two that he wasn’t going to be the starter and just believed in the program and stayed with it, it’s pretty special,” said W&J head coach Mike Sirianni.

“I learned a lot in the time when I was waiting and I’m glad I did,” Stahl said. “I grew up a lot during all of it.”

Stahl has taken his opportunity and soared, breaking an NCAA Division III record, winning games, and giving the Presidents another name to add to its list of great quarterbacks. The senior has led W&J to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship and a spot in the Division III playoffs. The Presidents (8-2) will play at Susquehanna (8-2) in the first round Saturday.

Stahl’s opportunity was earned, not given. There was a true open competition at quarterback in the spring, when Stahl found himself excited to compete.

“It was awesome. If I was handed the job, I would feel worse now compared to earning it,” Stahl said of the competition.

With Stahl winning the starting job, it left Sirianni with an easier transition.

It helped Sirianni that Pugh and Stahl had a positive relationship.

“We had a great connection. We were close friends as quarterbacks, which is something you don’t always see,” said Pugh, who now serves as an intern assistant coach with the defensive backs.

“He helped me with all the in-game stuff, the little tells, reads, when to throw it quicker, when to wait,” Stahl said.

That transition took time, as Stahl was not flawless from the jump. The senior lost his first two games as a starter and had ups and downs. Through two games, Stahl had 619 passing yards and five total touchdowns but turned the ball over four times.

“He didn’t play terrible in those first two games. He made some mistakes, but the more he’s played the better he’s gotten,” Sirianni said.

Still searching for his first win in the third game, Stahl was tasked to take on an elite defense in then-nationally ranked Grove City. His response was a virtuoso performance, completing 28 of 41 passes for 337 yards and two scores, with a third touchdown coming on the ground. He was given his first of three PAC Player of the Week awards after W&J’s 34-14 win.

Sirianni attributes the quick turnaround to Stahl’s positive attitude. “He is so even keeled. I don’t think he feels pressure,” Sirianni said.

Since the dominant performance at Grove City, it has been smooth sailing for Stahl and the Presidents. W&J won each PAC game by double digits. This included a 56-0 win over Waynesburg in Week Eight where Stahl broke the D-III single-game completion percentage record, completing 27 of 28 passes (.964 percent) for 408 yards and five touchdowns. He also put up six passing scores on Geneva.

“There were times when the flow-state was entered, but the receivers just got open and I hit them,” Stahl said of the Waynesburg game.

Life is made easier for Stahl by John Peduzzi and Jacob Macosko, who form one of the best receiving tandems in the country. In 2024, the duo became the first in program history to have more than 1,000 yards each in the same season and are within striking distance to repeat the accomplishment.

In the early part of the season, Stahl was not always on the same page with his dynamic duo but has found the connection.

“It took a couple weeks to figure out, but now we’ve got it down and we have that timing,” Peduzzi said.

Stahl has completed 216 of 311 passes for 2,977 yards with 25 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

As the postseason looms, Stahl can focus on leading his team to something bigger. The senior who waited patiently for his moment has some advice for those who do not get the chance right away.

“Just wait it out,” he said. “You’ll get your opportunity, and whenever it’s your turn take full advantage of it. You’re doing it for you and you’re doing it for the people who have always supported you, and at the same time take no prisoners.”