Oct 19, 2018 4 min read

Somewhat overlooked in Washington & Jefferson College’s passing game is Tim Swoope.

The senior from Peters Township High School is having the best year of his career at W&J.

The 6-4 wide receiver has 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns. His biggest games came when the Presidents needed him the most. He had a career-high six catches for 91 yards in a wild 50-43 victory over Geneva Saturday. Just one week earlier, Swoope snagged five passes for 67 yards in a crucial 44-36 victory over Case Western Reserve.

“I just go out there and do my job,” Swoope said. “I do what I can do out there.”

Swoope has developed a good relationship with junior quarterback Jacob Adams and the two should continue that connection when the 11th-ranked Presidents travel to Westminster for another critical matchup in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. W&J is 7-0 overall, 6-0 in the conference. The Titans enter the game with a 4-3 record, 4-2 in the PAC.

Last season, Jesse Zubik got the majority of looks during an 84-catch season. With Zubik gone, Andrew Wolf has emerged as the deep threat and Swoope carved out his spot with underneath routes. Adams has found Swoope on a number of sideline patterns, many setting up or obtaining first downs.

“When they double team Andrew, that means the ball gets spread around more,” Swoope said. “We all work hard to get open.”

In limited action last season, Swoope had five receptions but head coach Mike Sirianni asked for more this year.

“He started for us as a sophomore, so we knew he could be good,” said Sirianni. “He’s having a good year. He’s doing what a senior should do – play their best.”

Westminster has a strong defense and a struggling offense. Augustus Necastro is completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,028 yards and seven touchdown. He’s been intercepted five times in 150 attempts.

“They are by far the most athletic team in our conference,” Sirianni said. “They have playmakers all over the field. Big and strong. They would like nothing more than to ruin our season.”

Adams, meanwhile, has thrown for 2,174 yards and 26 touchdowns. Tailback Jordan West needs 113 yards to reach 1,000 rushing for the season.

Kickoff is 1 p.m.

California at Mercyhurst

Kickoff: Noon, Saturday

Fresh from a gut punch administered by Gannon in the form of a 29-15 loss, California has entered must-win mode for the remainder of the season.

That includes this week’s game at Mercyhurst. If Cal wins its final three conference games, then knocks of the East Division winner, the Vulcans would have to hope the selection committee has enough respect for them to be selected for the NCAA Division II playoffs.

There are no automatic bids.

It’s possible for Cal to win the West Division and the State Game and have the team it beat in the latter game still be selected over the Vulcans (3-1, 4-3).

Head coach Gary Dunn has to get a better defensive effort. Cal was gouged for 500 total yards, 333 on the ground, by Gannon. Marcus Jones rushed for 276 of those yards.

Mercyhurst is coming off a 34-33 loss to Seton Hill. The Lakers are 2-5, 1-3 in the conference.

Waynesburg at Saint Vincent

Kickoff: 1 p.m., Saturday

After a disappointing performance in a loss at Grove City that snapped a three-game winning streak, Waynesburg can right the ship against Saint Vincent.

The Yellow Jackets (3-4, 3-3) gave up pass plays of 66 and 68 yards, and 234 rushing yards, at Grove City. Tyler Perone completed fewer than half of his passes, did not throw a touchdown and was intercepted three times.

Saint Vincent (1-5, 1-4) is coming off a 37-7 loss to Case Western Reserve. The Bearcats have a minus-7 turnover ratio.