WashU QB Levi Moore (6) looks for someone to throw to during Saturday’s NCAA Division III football game at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo: Cedric Williams)

NCAA Football1st2nd3rd4thFinal
#15 DePauw (1-1)00131427
WashU (2-0)17710337

CLAYTON, MO — The Washington University football team made a dramatic debut in its first game as a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference on Saturday at Francis Olympic Field.

The Bears knocked off No. 15-ranked DePauw University, 37-27, to earn the program’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2018. WashU is now 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in NCAC play.

The host Bears came out storming and took a 17-0 lead in the first quarter, thanks to a series of big plays, which included a 64-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior Kellen Fraile on the game’s opening possession.

Then, after WashU forced and recovered a fumble on DePauw’s second possession, Bears’ quarterback Levi Moore hit fellow senior Makael Carter for a 25-yard touchdown on a fourth down play to play the home team up 14-0.

Kicker Matias Adrogue added a 25-yard field goal on WashU’s next possession and before the first quarter was over, the Bears were up by three scores.

WashU QB Levi Moore calls out signals before the play begins during the second quarter of the Bears’ upset win over No. 15 DePauw University on Saturday. (Photo: Cedric Williams)

The dominance continued into the second quarter, when WashU scored again, on a 1-yard run by Moore, that put the Bears up 24-0. Carter sparked that drive with a 30-yard punt return that allowed WashU to begin its series on DePauw’s 48-yard line.

DePauw’s best drive of the half came late in the quarter, when the Tigers drove from their own 15 to WashU’s 12. But on fourth down, the Bears forced an incomplete pass, which gave WashU back the ball with just over a minute left in the half.

WashU’s Makael Carter leaps to make a touchdown catch in the first quarter of the Bears’ win over No. 15 DePauw University, Saturday afternoon at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

Moore broke the game completely open early in the third quarter, when he broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run that put the Bears up 31-0.

For the game, Moore finished with 160 passing yards, the touchdown throw to Carter, and a game-high 96 rushing yards, with the two touchdown runs.

DePauw (1-1) tried to rally in the second half by scoring two touchdowns in the third quarter and two more in the fourth. But the Tigers could only get as close as 34-21, early in the fourth, before scoring their final touchdown to get within 10 points with only 21 seconds left in the game.

WashU QB Levi Moore had 256 total yards, a touchdown throw, and two touchdown runs in the Bears’ win over No. 15 DePauw University on Saturday. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

Senior Matthew Kinoshita had 70 rushing yards on 17 attempts, while sophomore Brayden Lewis had 47 rushing yards on 13 attempts.

Carter led the receivers with 52 yards on four catches with a touchdown. Senior Drew Bomar had 41 receiving yards on three catches.

Defensively, senior Spencer Snipe led the Bears with eight total tackles (5 solo, 3 assists), while sophomore Brad Shearer had five solo tackles. Senior Henry Murr had five total tackles (2 solo, 3 assists) and overall the Bears sacked DePauw quarterback Jack Kazmierczak four times and forced three turnovers.

The WashU defense forced three turnovers and notched four quarterback sacks in Saturday’s win over No. 15 DePauw University. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

WashU will look to continue its hot start to the new season, when it travels to Springfield, Ohio, next Saturday for a matchup against Wittenburg University. Kickoff is set for noon and the game will be streamed live on North Coast Network.

SCORING SUMMARY

QtrTimeScoring PlayDePAUWWASHU
1st10:58WASHU – TOUCHDOWN – Kellen Fraile 64 yd interception return (Matias Adrogue kick)07
1st07:46WASHU – TOUCHDOWN – Makael Carter 25 yd pass from Levi Moore (Matias Adrogue kick)014
1st03:20WASHU – FIELD GOAL – Matias Adrogue 25 yd field goal017
2nd11:38WASHU – TOUCHDOWN – Levi Moore 1 yd run (Matias Adrogue kick)024
3rd11:20WASHU – TOUCHDOWN – Levi Moore 61 yd run (Matias Adrogue kick)031
3rd08:16DePAUW – TOUCHDOWN – Jack Kazmierczak 16 yd pass to Evan Pitzer (Jacob Hein kick)731
3rd05:26DePAUW – TOUCHDOWN – Jack Kazmierczak 23 yd pass to Luke Dockery (2-pt conversion attempt failed)1331
3rd00:57WASHU – FIELD GOAL – Matias Adrogue 45 yd field goal1334
4th13:54DePAUW – TOUCHDOWN – Carson Johnson 2 yd run (Jack Kazmierczak 2-pt pass to Luke Dockery)2134
4th01:42WASHU – FIELD GOAL – Matias Adrogue 42 yd field goal2137
4th00:21DePAUW – TOUCHDOWN – Jack Kazmierczak 35 yd pass to Carter Foran (2-pt conversion attempt failed)2737

2026 WASHU BEARS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationResults
September 5, 2026 (Saturday)7 p.m.AwayRhodes CollegeMemphis, Tenn. / Crain FieldW, 73-0 (1-0)
September 12, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.Home#15 DePauw University*Francis Olympic FieldW, 37-27 (2-0)
September 19, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.AwayWittenberg University*Springfield, Ohio / Edwards-Maurer Field
September 26, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.AwayOberlin College*Oberlin, Ohio / Dick Bailey Field
October 3, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.HomeJohn Carroll University*Francis Olympic Field
October 17, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.AwayKenyon College*Gambier, Ohio / McBride Field
October 24, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.AwayWabash College*Crawfordsville, Ind. / Little Giant Stadium
October 31, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.HomeDenison University*Francis Olympic Field
November 7, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.AwayOhio Wesleyan University*Delaware, Ohio / Selby Stadium
November 14, 2026 (Saturday)1 p.m.HomeThe College of Wooster*Francis Olympic Field