CMU pulls away in second half for 24-3 win over Yellow Jackets
Carnegie Mellon scored 21 points in the second half to pull away for a 24-3 victory over visiting Waynesburg University in PAC football action on Saturday night.
The Yellow Jackets (1-4, 1-5) took a 3-0 lead when Eric Townsend II’s interception was followed by a 16-play, 61-yard drive capped by Mike Ryhal’s 32-yard field goal late in the first quarter.
The Tartans (4-1, 5-1) tied it on Josh Lyons’ 26-yard field goal midway through the second quarter and the score remained that way at halftime.
CMU finally surged in front on Luke Bikulege’s 6-yard touchdown with 9:41 left in the third quarter, and Thomas Polutchko’s 17-yard interception return for a score six minutes later made it 17-3.
Bikulege added a 15-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
The Tartans rushed 275 yards, led by Bikulege with 93. Chris Haas followed with 75 yards and JD Dayhuff added 69. Waynesburg limited CMU to just 21 passing yards.
The Yellow Jackets’ VaShon Graham made a game-high 11 tackles, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Bret Hicks made nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks.
Carnegie Mellon’s defense held the Yellow Jackets to just 122 yards on offense.
Justin Flack gained 21 yards on seven carries to top WU’s ground game, and caught three passes for 14 yards. Mason Schrenker completed 12 of 20 passes for 91 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked four times.
Dozhay Crumb was Schrenker’s favorite target with six receptions for 53 yards.
Waynesburg will be back at John F. Wiley Stadium this Saturday against Grove City at 1:30 p.m. for the first of three consecutive home games.