DELAWARE, Ohio – For the first time since 2016, the Washington University in St. Louis football team has won at least a share of a conference championship. The Bears defeated Ohio Wesleyan 45-24 on Saturday to secure a share of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) title in their first season in the conference.
The Bears also continue to rewrite the record book, improving to 9-0 for the first time in program history.
WashU scored on the very first drive of the game, using just five plays to get there, including a 49-yard pass from senior quarterback
Levi Moore to senior
Drew Bomar. Ultimately, sophomore
Brayden Lewis ran in for a four-yard touchdown. Junior kicker
Matias Adrogue's extra-point was good for a 7-0 Bears' lead.
Defensively in the first quarter, senior
Brett Kersemeier recorded his third interception of the year, picking off C.J. Jackson's pass.
After WashU forced OWU to turn it over on downs to start the second quarter, the Bears went on to double their lead on the next drive.
Using an eight-play drive, Moore ran the ball for a seven-yard touchdown and Adrogue converted the extra point for a 14-0 WashU advantage.
On its final drive of the first half, Ohio Wesleyan brought it down to the 11 before Stanly Scandell kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 14-3 game.
Starting their drive with less than two minutes left, the Bears reached the 10 before Adrogue came on to kick a 27-yard field goal, sending WashU into halftime with a 17-3 lead.
Ohio Wesleyan was forced to punt after going three-and-out on the first drive of the second half. The Bears took possession, putting together a four-play scoring drive, culminating in a 28-yard touchdown from Lewis. Adrogue's kick was good, extending the Bears' lead to 24-3 with 12:13 on the clock.
After another three-and-out from OWU, WashU had an 11-play drive that resulted in a two-yard rushing touchdown for Moore. Adrogue's kick was good for a 31-3 WashU lead with 4:00 left in the third quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Ohio Wesleyan scored on a two-play drive which included a 65-yard touchdown from Jackson to Quin Schroeder. Scandell's kick was good for a 31-10 game.
On the first Bears' possession of the fourth quarter, on the first play, Lewis unleashed for a 78-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career thus far. Adrogue's kick was good, extending WashU's lead to 38-10.
In similar fashion, OWU scored on just one play of its next drive as Jordan Ghant ran for a 47-yard touchdown. Scandell's kick was good to make it 38-17.
Starting at their own 47, the Bears scored on an 11-play drive, ending with a seven-yard touchdown run by Moore. Adrogue hit the extra-point kick for a 45-17 WashU lead.
Ohio Wesleyan scored its final touchdown with 1:46 remaining. On a six-play drive, Jackson connected with Schroeder again for a 26-yard touchdown and Scandell hit the extra point to make it 45-24.
WashU had 585 yards of total offense with 214 passing and 371 rushing. OWU had 396 total yards with 269 passing and 127 rushing.
Moore was 13-for-18 for 214 yards and also had 68 rushing yards on 11 carries with three touchdowns.
Lewis had a career-high 217 yards on 23 attempts, scoring three touchdowns to lead the rushing game. Senior
Makael Carter led the receivers with 79 yards on seven catches.
Defensively, sophomore
Everett Cui had six total tackles (4 solo, 2 assists) with one tackle for loss. Senior
Spencer Snipe, first-year
Gavin Conjar, senior
Henry Murr and junior
Ethan Venable each had five total tackles.
The Bears close out the regular season at home next Saturday, November 14 against Wooster at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, WashU will recognize its 22 seniors.
-------
Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.
