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The Bearcat football team led early, but fell by a score of 33-9 to #17 Washington & Jefferson College on Senior Day in Latrobe in a Presidents' Athletic Conference game.

Saint Vincent received the opening kickoff and got off to a quick start, with Michael Navarro connecting with Sam Nowicki on a 15-yard pass early in the drive.  Passes to Philip Harding and Ronald Scriven Jr moved the ball into Presidents territory, then a 25-yard strike to Shandon Marsden placed the ball at the W&J 18-yard-line.  However, a tipped pass near the goal line was intercepted by Zach Royba, turning the ball over to the visitors. 

However, W&J quarterback Jacob Adams fumbled the snap on the first play from scrimmage, and recovered it in the end zone for a Saint Vincent safety, making the score 2-0.

The Bearcats received a free kick but were unable to move the ball, forced to punt just four plays later.  The resulting W&J drive gave the visitors the lead, as they covered 59 yards in just four plays.  The big gain on the drive was a 37-yard completion from Adams to Andrew Wolf, to the SVC 3.  Jordan West then carried the ball into the end zone.  The extra point attempt was blocked, making the score 6-2 with 7:47 left in the first quarter.

After another SVC punt, the Bearcats got the ball back when an Adams pass was intercepted by Caleb Collins and returned 19 yards to the W&J 40.  Saint Vincent was forced to punt again, and Christian Witchey's punt was fielded by the W&J returner at the goal line, and he was stopped by Vincent Lessard and Micah Harris at his own 2-yard-line.  After three strong plays by the defense, the Presidents were forced to punt from their own end zone, and Ben Davis came up with the block and recovery.  Saint Vincent took over just two yards from the goal line, and Mike Stasko pushed his way in for a score three plays later.  Sam Elliott's point after made the score 9-6 in favor of the Bearcats with 11:53 left in the first half.

The Presidents stormed back, with touchdown drives on their next two possessions, taking a 20-9 lead.  Late in the first half, Zavion Thompson's pass was intercepted, and the Presidents started another scoring drive.  This time, the touchdown came by way of a "Hail Mary" pass as time expired in the first half.  Adams' pass was thrown into a crowd in the end zone, and Wolf came down with the ball for the score.  The point after attempt hit the upright, and the score was 26-9 at the half.

Both teams played well on defense throughout the second half, with the lone score coming at the 5:52 mark of the third quarter, when Adams connected with Tim Swoope for an 8-yard touchdown pass.  

For the game, the Presidents outgained SVC by a 374-229 margin, but the main difference was in the ground game.  W&J rushed for 169 yards compared to just 33 for the Bearcats.  Jordan West gained 77 yards on 14 carries for W&J, while the Bearcats were led by Thompson with just 19 yards on 7 carries.

Thompson was 11-23 through the air for 139 yards, while Navarro completed 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards.  For W&J, Adams 24-35 for 205 yards.  Nowicki and Aaron Austin each had 4 receptions for SVC, while Wolf caught 12 passes for 128 yards for the visitors.

Defensively Caleb Collins had 14 tackles to go along with an interception. Micah Harris contributed 10 tackles, while Elijah Rone had 9, including 2.5 behind the line of scrimmage.

Saint Vincent is now 1-8 on the year, while W&J improves to 8-1.  The Bearcats will conclude the 2018 season on the road at Bethany College for the annual "Green Game" next Saturday, November 10.