Bears are 4-1 on the season and 3-1 in CCIW league play, after last week’s 65-16 win over Carthage. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor
ELMHURST, IL — Fresh off of laying 65 points on Carthage last week, the Washington University football team will be back in action on Saturday, when it heads to just outside of Chicago to take on Elmhurst University.
The Bears are 4-1 on the season, having won their last two, and are 3-1 in CCIW conference play, which is tied for second place with North Park and No. 24-ranked Wheaton. WashU will host Wheaton at Francis Olympic Field next week.
Elmhurst was on a two-game winning streak until it got thumped, 35-21, last week against Augustana. The Bluejays have a 2-3 record and are 2-2 in the conference.
Last year, WashU beat Elmhurst 66-0, in a game in which the Bears scored nine touchdowns, including two interception returns for scores. WashU has won all five previous matchups between the two schools.
WashU RB Fred Ware had a career-high 221 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Carthage. (Photo: Primo Greenway)
Players to Watch: The Bears racked up 672 yards of total offense (465 rushing, 207 passing) in last week’s 65-16 victory.
Junior RB Fred Ware led the rushing game with a career-high 221 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns, including a 75-yard run and a 61-yard run. Ware’s effort earned him CCIW Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors this week.
Fellow RB Kenvorris Campbell had 137 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns, while QB Clark Stephens threw three touchdown passes.
Defensively, junior DB Ryan Schmadtke and freshman LB Conner Durkin each had four tackles. Senior Grant Purdy, sophomore Salomon Dessalines, junior Joseph Norris, junior Brady Willmer and Jack Middleton each had three, while Middleton also had two tackles for a loss.
The Blue Jays totaled a season-high 253 passing yards, with quarterback John Odom completing 21-for-40 passes for a pair of touchdowns and one interception. The ball was spread around amongst eight different receivers, with RJ Anderson leading with six receptions and 56 yards, while Jacob Cockrell and Keith Cohens caught both of the touchdown passes for Elmhurst.
On the defensive side of the ball, Cohens also led the Jays with nine total tackles and a sack, with Justin Harris and Malakai Correa also recording quarterback sacks in the contest. Malik Flowers also intercepted an Augie pass in the game.
Up Next: As mentioned above, WashU, which is listed in the “others receiving votes” category of this week’s D3Football.com Top 25 national poll, will host No. 24 Wheaton on Saturday. Kickoff at Francis Olympic Field is set for 1 p.m.
2024 CCIW Football Standings
Team | CCIW | CCIW Pct. | Overall | Overall Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
North Central | 4-0 | 1.000 | 5-0 | 1.000 |
North Park | 3-1 | .750 | 4-1 | .800 |
WashU | 3-1 | .750 | 4-1 | .800 |
Wheaton | 3-1 | .750 | 3-2 | .600 |
Augustana | 2-2 | .500 | 3-2 | .600 |
Elmhurst | 2-2 | .500 | 2-3 | .400 |
Illinois Wesleyan | 2-2 | .500 | 2-3 | .400 |
Carroll | 1-3 | .250 | 2-3 | .400 |
Carthage | 0-4 | .000 | 0-5 | .000 |
Millikin | 0-4 | .000 | 0-5 | .000 |
2024 WashU Bears Football Schedule
Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 19, 2024 | 1 p.m. | Away | Elmhurst University | Elmhurst, Ill. / Langhorst Field |
October 26, 2024 | 1 p.m. | Home | #24 Wheaton College | Francis Olympic Field |
November 2, 2024 | 12 p.m. | Home | Millikin University | Francis Olympic Field |
November 9, 2024 | 12 p.m. | Away | North Park University | Chicago, Ill. / Holmgren Athletic Complex |
November 16, 2024 | 12 p.m. | Home | Augustana College | Francis Olympic Field |