Mike Sirianni has an impressive 68-10 record in seven years as Washington & Jefferson's football coach and he didn't compile that .872 winning percentage by leaving things to chance.

The Presidents entertain Thomas More at 1:30 p.m. today at Cameron Stadium in a battle of NCAA Division III unbeatens. Both are 7-0 overall with Thomas More 5-0 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference and W&J 3-0.

Both are nationally ranked -- W&J is No. 7 in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25; Thomas More is No. 15 -- and both likely will advance to the NCAA Division III playoffs. The winner of the game probably will win the PAC title and earn an automatic berth.

That automatic playoff spot is what Sirianni is after along with the conference championship.

"You don't want to leave it up to a committee on whether you get in the playoffs or not because you never know," Sirianni said. "Besides, we still want to win the conference. That's what we are after."

Last year, W&J was able to score against the Saints but had some problems on defense and lost, 35-29. Sirianni said his defense is better this season.

The Presidents have allowed just 71 points and are averaging 4.3 sacks per game. They have allowed an average of just 58.7 rushing yards and 220.7 total yards per game.

Containing Thomas More running back Cordario Collier, who averages 130 all-purpose yards a game, and quarterback Trevor Stellman, who ranks sixth in the nation in passing efficiency and contributes 224 yards per game, are keys for W&J.

Sirianni said the most important thing his team has to do today is run the football. The Presidents use a spread offense with just one running back and like to throw -- quarterback Gino Rometo has passed for 1,082 yards and 12 touchdowns and Craig Besong has 58 receptions for 732 yards -- but last year Thomas More recorded eight sacks against W&J.

"We've got to control their blitzes and we can do that by running the ball effectively," Sirianni said.

Sacred Heart at Robert Morris, noon, Joe Walton Stadium: The Colonials (1-6, 1-3 Northeast Conference) return to action after an off week and hope to collect their second win of the season against Sacred Heart (1-6, 1-4). The Pioneers lead the all-time series, 6-5. Robert Morris receiver Sherrod Evers has been one of the bright spots and has 29 receptions for 476 yards. His career numbers of 76 catches and 1,210 yards are both fifth on the school's all-time list.

Wagner at Duquesne, noon, Rooney Field: It's Hall of Fame weekend at Duquesne and former Dukes player Leigh Bodden, a starting cornerback for the New England Patriots, is one of the Hall inductees who will be honored at halftime. Wagner (4-3, 3-1 NEC) is averaging 35 points a game and has scored 40 or more four times this season. ... The Dukes (2-6, 1-4) have had 13 starters miss at least one game because of an injury. ... Duquesne has won the past two meetings with Wagner.

Mercyhurst at California, 3:30 p.m., Adamson Stadium: After beating Slippery Rock, 44-7, last weekend and securing a spot in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship game next weekend, California (7-2, 6-0 PSAC West) is ranked No. 20 in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll and No. 14 by D2Football.com. ... Mercyhurst (4-5, 3-3) is led by quarterback Joe Laffey, who has thrown for 1,380 yards and 11 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. ... A.J. Jackson is California's leading receiver and scorer. He has 11 touchdowns and has caught 55 passes for 807 yards. ... The Vulcans have won 48 of their past 56 games.

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