WashU QB Levi Moore tries to wrestle away from a Rhodes defender in Saturday’s NCAA Division III football game at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo: Ellie Parker)

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Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor

CLAYTON, MO — Washington University quarterback Levi Moore threw for a touchdown and ran for three others to lead the Bears to a 49-0 win over visiting Rhodes College, in an NCAA Division III football game, Saturday night at Francis Olympic Field.

It was the first night game at WashU since 2018 and in front of a nearly full house crowd of 2,189, WashU dominated the Lynx from start to finish.

WashU outgained Rhodes 435 total yards to just 122. The Bears had 26 first downs and only allowed nine, which allowed the home team to build a 42-0 halftime lead.

WashU WR Makael Carter caught four passes for 81 yards and scored a touchdown in the Bears’ season-opening win over Rhode College on Saturday. (Photo: Ellie Parker)

Senior running back Fred Ware, who finished the day with a game-high 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns, got the scoring started, when he rumbled into the end zone from 8 yards out to put the Bears on the board.

Moore scored WashU’s next two touchdowns — on a 10-yard run and a 1-yard run — later in the first to help the Bears build a 21-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, Moore hit fellow junior Makael Carter for a 4-yard touchdown. Moore then followed with one of the big plays of the day, when he scampered 35 yards for his third touchdown of the day that made the score 35-0.

Ware helped WashU close out the first half, with a 16-yard run that gave the Bears a six-touchdown lead going into halftime.

The final score of the day came early in the third quarter, when sophomore backup QB Alexander Singh hit freshman receiver Avery Lazard for a 34-yard touchdown that was the first touchdown for both players in their college careers.

The Bears (1-0) will be off next week, but will return to action on Saturday, September 20, when they’ll be on the road for their CCIW conference opener against Carroll University.

WashU’s next home game will come on September 27, when the Bears will host No. 1-ranked and defending national champion North Central. Kickoff at that at Francis Olympic is set for 1 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

QtrTimeScoring PlayRHODESWASHU
1st08:18WASHU – Ware, Fred 8 yd run (Adrogue, Matias kick), 8 plays, 60 yards, TOP 00:0007
1st02:52WASHU – Moore, Levi 10 yd run (Adrogue, Matias kick), 5 plays, 25 yards, TOP 00:31014
1st00:04WASHU – Moore, Levi 1 yd run (Adrogue, Matias kick), 3 plays, 40 yards, TOP 01:14021
2nd12:16WASHU – Carter, Makael 4 yd pass from Moore, Levi (Adrogue, Matias kick) 6 plays, 51 yards, TOP 02:34028
2nd07:38WASHU – Moore, Levi 35 yd run (Adrogue, Matias kick), 5 plays, 67 yards, TOP 01:46035
2nd02:42WASHU – Ware, Fred 16 yd run (Adrogue, Matias kick), 7 plays, 71 yards, TOP 03:19042
3rd11:10WASHU – Lazard, Avery 34 yd pass from Singh, Alexander (Adrogue, Matias kick) 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:42049

WASHU BEARS 2025 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationResults
September 67 pmHomeRhodes CollegeFrancis Olympic FieldW 49-0 (1-0)
September 20 1 pmAwayCarroll UniversityWaukesha, Wis. / Schneider Stadium
September 271 pmHome#1 North Central Francis Olympic Field
October 46 pmHomeIllinois WesleyanFrancis Olympic Field
October 11 1 pmAwayCarthageKenosha, Wis. / Keller Field
October 181 pmHomeElmhurstFrancis Olympic Field
October 251 pmAwayWheatonWheaton, Ill. / McCully Stadium
November 11 p.m.AwayMillikinDecatur, Ill. / Lindsay Field
November 8 12 pmHomeNorth ParkFrancis Olympic Field
November 1512 p.m.AwayAugustanaRock Island, Ill. / Lindberg Stadium