Weekend College Top 10: Defense dominant for No. 21 W&J football

Every Monday, the Tribune-Review will highlight 10 top area college performances from the weekend:

1. No. 21 W&J football edges No. 18 Wittenberg

Mike Williams (Langley) forced a fumble that Nick Getz returned 52 yards for a touchdown with 9 minutes, 53 seconds left to help the Presidents win their opener 16-8.

Williams had 10 tackles and two sacks.

Josh Burns (Moon) scored W&J’s other touchdown on a 21-yard pass from Jacob Adams. The play came after Max Garda (Burrell) forced a fumble in Wittenberg territory.

Tyler Sabo (Hopewell) had two interceptions: one deep in his own territory in the third quarter and the other to seal the game in the fourth quarter.

Football: @WJFootball moves up six spots to #15 in this week’s updated Top 25 poll. #PrezPride #d3fb #pacfb @PAC_Athletics @wjcollege https://t.co/RV8CXWYY8V

— Washington & Jefferson Athletics (@wjathletics) September 9, 2019

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2. Westminster football ties NCAA interception record

The Titans returned four interceptions for touchdowns in their season-opening 66-7 victory over Capital on Thursday, tying the all-divisions NCAA mark.

Aaron Pierce had pick-sixes on consecutive drives in the second quarter, returning one 97 yards and the other 50 yards.

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Westminster (PA) tied the @NCAADIII record with a quartet of interceptions returned for TDs last night against Capital!!!pic.twitter.com/oeZlgzJ7Kk

— NCAA Stats (@NCAAStats) September 6, 2019

Vincent Giles brought an interception back 40 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, and Jarred Kohl’s 45-yard interception return tied the record.

The 66 points also tied a team record for Westminster.

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3. No. 10 Slippery Rock makes it looks easy in opener

The Rock scored a touchdown on all seven possessions of the first half en route to a 62-37 victory at Wayne State on Thursday in Detroit.

FB: Roland Rivers III escapes pressure, hits Jermaine Wynn Jr. in stride and you aren’t catching him. 78 yard TD on the 2nd play of the 2nd half. Rock leads Wayne State 56-14. SRU has scored a TD on every offensive possession tonight. pic.twitter.com/VtJxr3sDht

— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) September 6, 2019

Roland Rivers III went 23 of 30 and set career bests with 405 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran for 67 yards and a touchdown. Jake Chapla (Plum) made eight extra points to give him 166 all-time, breaking Slippery Rock’s record of 161.

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4. No. 10 Pitt volleyball continues perfect start

The Panthers swept Duquesne to win the inaugural ChampYinz Invitational on Saturday, improving to 6-0 this season. Pitt has yet to lose a set, and the six sweeps to open the season marks the best streak to start a year since doing it in eight matches in 1978.

Hear from ChampYinz Invite MVP @kaylund9 after No. 10 Pitt's tournament sweep! ?#H2P pic.twitter.com/vsadbXadMc

— Pitt Volleyball (@Pitt_VB) September 8, 2019

All-tournament selection Layne Van Buskirk led Pitt with eight kills, and tournament MVP Kayla Lund, Chinaza Ndee and Zoi Faki recorded seven kills apiece.

Duquesne dropped to 2-4.

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5. IUP sophomore soccer player breaks record

Sophomore Mahogany Willis tied the single-game school record with four goals and added an assist for a school-record nine points in the Crimson Hawks’ 5-0 victory over Glenville State on Saturday.

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6. Apollo-Ridge graduate Brown shines in IUP’s win

Sophomore Duane Brown caught a 47-yard touchdown on the team’s second play and added a 2-yard rushing TD to lead the Crimson Hawks past New Haven, 24-13, in their season opener Saturday.

1-0 is a great way to start the year. #ALLIN19 pic.twitter.com/PK1zcpSbEb

— IUP Football (@IUPfootball) September 8, 2019

IUP overcame three interceptions and a lost fumble.

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7. Clarion runs away from Shippensburg

Mylique McGriff carried 27 times for 179 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, helping the Golden Eagles end a 12-game losing streak against the Red Raiders with a 48-28 victory in their opener Saturday.

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8. Robert Morris volleyball improves to 6-0

The Colonials beat Valparaiso and host Kent State to win the Golden Flashes Classic on Saturday, starting the season 6-0 for the first time in program history.

Tournament MVP Emma Granger had 16 kills and nine blocks in the 20-25, 29-27, 25-19, 25-23 win over Valparaiso, and Alyssa Hudak and Maria Alfano recorded 10 kills apiece.

In the 25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20 defeat of Kent State, Granger and Hudak finished with 13 kills apiece.

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9. Cal (Pa.) football dominant in opener

Lamont McPhatter II (New Castle) and Julian Cox (New Castle) scored defensive touchdowns as the Vulcans forced seven turnovers and rolled past Saint Anselm (N.H.), 59-13, on Friday.

Highlights of tonights season opening win for Cal U at St. Anselm 59-13 pic.twitter.com/0nwKGfk7Ig

— CUTV (@CUTV_PA) September 7, 2019

Cal limited the Hawks to minus-7 rushing yards.

Noah Mitchell threw for 239 yards and three touchdowns, including a 79-yarder to Tyson Hill (Valley).

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10. Grove City’s balanced attack leads to win

Josh Ehst threw for a career-high 363 yards — the fourth-most in school history — and four touchdowns as the Wolverines downed Juniata, 49-28, on Saturday.

Grove City finished with 605 yards. Cody Gustafson had seven catches for 181 yards and two TDs, and Cameron Drake (Central Valley) caught four passes for 163 yards and two TDs.

Wesley Schools ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns, going over 4,000 yards for his career. Backup quarterback Cameron Roth ran for 108 yards.