The Case Western Reserve University Spartans put up historical numbers on offense Saturday afternoon to lead the team to a 66-33 win over the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets. The explosive offense reached the end zone nine times at John F. Wiley Stadium, which ranked second in CWRU history right behind a 70-point showing versus Oberlin in 1998. Additionally, the Spartans’ 575 yards on offense were the most in team history in almost four years.

It was a quick start for the men in blue and white, forcing a three-and-out on the opening drive before marching down the field on a drive that took just six plays and 2:27 off the clock. Third-year running back Antonio Orsini finished off the possession with a one-yard run into the endzone for the team’s first points of the game. 

Only six seconds into the second quarter, Waynesburg seemed poised to tie the game when Yellow Jackets quarterback Tyler Raines threw a dart to wide receiver Trenton Kerns for the 18-yard touchdown. However, Spartans’ cornerback Colin Schuster was able to block the extra point, making it a 7-6 game.

On the following possession, the Spartans’ offense hit its stride with explosiveness. Fourth-year quarterback Drew Saxton found third-year wide receiver Lucas DeCaro over the middle for a 69-yard slant route to the endzone, extending the Spartan lead to 14-6.

The Spartans added another touchdown with 10:17 left in the first half on a seven-play, 59-yard drive which resulted in Saxton’s second touchdown pass of the day, this time to third-year wide receiver Aidan Cain. 

Waynesburg found their offensive groove and responded to the Spartans’ run with a touchdown on the next possession, cutting the score to 21-13. 

The subsequent possessions represented a turning point in the ballgame: before you knew it, a one-possession game had transformed into a three-possession game. Orsini got his second touchdown of the game by bouncing to the outside for another one-yard score. After getting the ball back on a quick three-and-out, the Spartans marched 75 yards in 1:21. Saxton capped off the run with his third touchdown of the afternoon, throwing a 24-yard bullet to third-year wide receiver Michael Wojkowski. 

CWRU’s commanding 35-13 lead continued to grow after the halftime break. Saxton and Wojkowski connected for a 59-yard touchdown about a minute into the third quarter. After a successful one-point kick attempt from second-year Brett Callow, the Spartans held a dominating 42-13 lead that effectively put the game out of reach for Waynesburg. 

The Yellow Jackets managed to score on the next possession, cutting the Spartan lead to 22 points, but it didn’t matter. CWRU added an 80-yard pass from a red-hot Saxton to fourth-year wide receiver Colt Morgan. 

After trading touchdowns in the final possessions of the fourth quarter, the Spartans officially claimed victory with a final score of 66-33. 

A slew of records were broken at all three phases of the game. On offense, receivers DeCaro and Wojtkowski recorded over 100 yards for the first time in their college careers. Morgan came close to this milestone after notching 90 yards. 

Defensively, first-year linebacker Nate Cikalo led the team with 12 tackles and also added two tackles for a loss and a sack. Second-year defensive end Kaden Tong led the team with two sacks while second-year linebacker Alex Lindberg picked up an interception. 

Next Saturday night, the Spartans will play for their third straight win in their home opener at DiSanto Field against the 0-1 Westminster Titans.