By Matt Florjancic
D3sports.com
Washington and Jefferson coach Mike Sirianni knows a thing or two about developing quarterbacks. Under his direction at Washington and Jefferson, three quarterbacks have passed for more than 8,000 yards in their careers.
One of those quarterbacks was Bobby Swallow, who graduated following last season's run to the third round of the NCAA Playoffs.
Though Swallow is gone, one of his favorite targets, Craig Besong, is back for his senior season. In the Presidents' 56-16 victory over Thiel last Saturday, Besong accounted for nine catches and 139 yards. He caught a 34-yard touchdown pass to give Washington and Jefferson a 14-0 lead over the Tomcats at one point.
Without Swallow, Besong is catching passes from junior quarterbacks Steven Shumaker and Gino Rometo.
"It's more of a balance this year," said Besong, who was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. "Bobby was just a step-back passer. With Shumaker and Rometo, they're a little bit more mobile. That creates more options on offense with Bobby's absence.
"At the end of last year, Bobby wasn't able to practice very much, so I started to work with Shu a little bit," he added. "We had that and spring ball. We were trying to do some different things. We were able to get them out of the pocket more than we were with Bobby."
The younger quarterbacks in Sirianni's system not only got to practice when Swallow was unable to go, they got be a part of the playoff run, an experience which helped the players form a bond, especially on those long road trips to Jackson, Miss., (Millsaps) and Belton, Texas (Mary Hardin-Baylor).
"We had a home game last year and it was a pretty good thing for the community," he said. "A lot of the players got to travel with us when we did get to the playoffs last year, which was good. Even though they weren't able to play, we got used to that big-game experience. As a player, that helped so much. Getting deep into the playoffs kind of takes the pressure off now that I have that experience."
While some players may consider having young quarterbacks who can extend plays with their legs a difficult adjustment to make, Besong embraces the challenges of being a wide receiver and team leader.
"We've been working on that," Besong said of the scrambling quarterbacks. "Once they're out of the pocket, if they start getting pressure, we'll break off a route and come back, find a hole in the defense and sit down in it.
"Coach encouraged me and (offensive lineman Kirk Fulton) to give more leadership because we're the only two returning seniors on the offense," he added. "He wants one of us to talk to the younger guys."
The lectures have worked for individual and team success.
On the season, Besong leads the team in catches (25), yards (333), yards per game (111.0) and touchdowns (three). Besong has also returned two punts for the Presidents and leads the PAC in receptions and yards per game.
Besong is ten catches away from fifth place on Washington and Jefferson's all-time receptions list. Last year's total of 75 catches was the third-best single-season total in school history.
"It's pretty nice," Besong said. "I didn't know I was that high, especially with the receivers we've had the past years catching all these passes. They were all good receivers and it's kind of special to be on that list."
When Besong catches a touchdown, the Presidents are 14-1. So far this season, Besong caught one touchdown against Thiel and two against Frostburg State. The Oberlin Yeomen were the only team to shut Besong out of the end zone.
The Presidents enter Saturday night's game at Grove City with a 3-0 record.
"It's cool that they look to me to score," said Besong. "They make fun of me (because) the only game that I've scored four touchdowns is the only loss we've had. I guess I've got to stay away from that number.
"We've improved the last couple weeks, on offense especially," he added. "Against Frostburg, we left some points on the board. We were able to finish some of those drives last week. As long as we continue to improve, we'll be fine. Individually, I don't know what's going to happen."
One thing that will happen for the Presidents is a rematch with the Thomas More Saints, who upset W&J last year and took home the PAC championship.
Though the game is scheduled for Halloween at Washington and Jefferson, Besong is working to accomplish one more goal before finishing his playing career.
"That game's going to be exciting," he said. "A lot of people have that game deciding the conference and there's going to be a lot of build-up for it. Because of the loss last year, it will definitely be a payback on our home soil. We've got to get that PAC title back here."
News and notes
The Ohio Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week award went to John Carroll quarterback Jeff Javorek for his efforts in a 43-29 win over Baldwin-Wallace last Saturday night. Javorek completed 30 of 51 passes for 209 yards and five touchdowns against the Yellow Jackets. He connected for scoring plays with four receivers and did not have an interception in the victory.
Kenyon running back Kyle Toot had an outstanding game in the Lords' 45-27 win over the Hiram Terriers in North Coast Athletic Conference action over the weekend. Toot carried the ball 23 times for 151 yards and three touchdowns. In addition to averaging 6.6 yards-per-rush, Toot caught three passes for 99 yards and one touchdown. Toot was the NCAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Despite a 12-7 loss to Concordia (Ill.), Olivet linebacker Chris Behnke produced good individual numbers. The junior defensive standout posted a team-high 14 tackles, including nine solo stops. He registered 3.5 tackles for loss and intercepted one pass. He was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Great Lakes Region Teams in D3football.com's Top 25 Poll
No. 1: Mount Union (OAC): No Change following 30-10 win at Ohio Northern
No. 8: Washington and Jefferson (PAC): No change after 56-16 win versus Thiel
No. 9: Ohio Northern (OAC): Down two spots following 30-10 home loss to Mount Union
No. 10: Case Western Reserve (UAA): No change following 41-6 win home win over Oberlin
No. 14: Wabash (NCAC): Down one spot after 48-10 win over Chicago
No. 18: Otterbein (OAC): Up one spot following 38-21 win over Muskingum
No. 22: Trine (MIAA): Into rankings after 40-9 win over Defiance
No. 25: Capital (OAC): Into rankings following 46-32 win over Heidelberg
Others Receiving Votes: Thomas More (PAC)
Games of the Week
No. 9 Ohio Northern (1-1, 0-1 OAC) at Otterbein (2-0, 1-0) Saturday, Sept. 26, 1:30: The Ohio Northern Polar Bears are in rebound mode after losing to Mount Union 30-10. The Polar Bears entered halftime tied at ten, but watched the Purple Raiders score 20 unanswered points to secure another OAC win.
ONU will need to find a way of neutralizing Otterbein quarterback Jack Rafferty. Rafferty completed 16 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Cardinals' victory over Muskingum last weekend.
Trine (2-0) at Franklin (0-1), Saturday, Sept. 26, 1:30: The Trine Thunder are looking to avoid a loss after moving into the Top 25 this week. The Thunder had a big win over Defiance and now face a Franklin squad who lost 49-19 against Butler.