The WashU Bears are 5-0 and set to host a big home game, Saturday against Augustana. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

WashU Football – Gameday Info
Game No. 6 – Augustana Vikings (4-1) at WashU Bears (5-0)
Date/Time – October 14, 2023 – 1 pm
Location – Francis Olympic Field — Clayton, MO
Broadcast – WashU Sports Network
Live Stats – WashU Sidearm Stats

Steven Millbrook
Staff Writer

CLAYTON, MO — The red-hot Washington University Bears will be back on the field for their biggest game so far of 2023 on Saturday, when they’ll host Augustana College at Francis Olympic Field.

This will be a CCIW conference showdown between two of the league’s best teams. WashU will come in with a 5-0 overall record and a 4-0 mark in league play, while Augustana will enter at 4-1, with a 3-1 record in league games.

The Bears are coming off a 38-10 win last week at Illinois Wesleyan. That was the team’s fifth straight win to begin the 2023 season, and in those wins, WashU has scored at least 38 points each time out.

Their offense ranks as the second-best in the CCIW in scoring, behind No. 1-ranked North Central, at 44.8 points per game. The Bears also average 446.4 yards per game, which is fourth best in the conference.

Augustana’s offense has been almost just as good. The Vikings are third in scoring (44.4 ppg) and fifth in yards (400.8).

Both teams’ defenses are pretty good too. WashU has the CCIW’s No. 1 ranked D, which allows just 12.8 ppg, while Augustana sits at third (19.2 ppg).

Players to Watch: Both quarterbacks are strong standouts for both clubs. WashU’s Matt Rush, a two-time all-CCIW performer, leads the league in QB efficiency (186.8), while passing for 1,132 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Augustana’s Cole Bhardwaj has 889 passing yards and 10 touchdown throws of his own.

The running back comparison between the two teams is where things get interesting.

WashU likes to use a trio of ball carriers in its run game. Juniors Kenneth Hamilton and Kenvorris Campbell, and sophomore Fred Ware have combined for 891 yards and seven touchdowns and each averages more than six yards per carry.

Augustana prefers to use one running back and that player is senior Tyler Rivelli, who ranks third in the CCIW with 541 rushing yards and seven touchdowns of his own.

Up Next: Win or lose on Saturday, WashU will face its toughest challenge next week, when it goes on the road to face No. 1-ranked and defending national champion North Central. The Cardinals have won 20 games in a row, with their last loss coming in the 2021 D3 national championship game against Mary Hardin-Baylor.

2023 WashU Bears Football Schedule

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
October 14, 20231 p.m.HomeAugustana CollegeFrancis Olympic Field
October 21, 20231 p.m.Away#1 North Central CollegeNaperville, Ill.
October 28, 20231 p.m.HomeElmhurst UniversityFrancis Olympic Field
November 4, 20231 p.m.Away#13 Wheaton CollegeWheaton, Ill.
November 11, 202312 p.m.HomeCarroll UniversityFrancis Olympic Field