Wash. U. sophomore Josh Hartman sacks Millikin quarterback Aidan Lombardo in the end zone for a safety, during the first quarter of Saturday’s CCIW football game at Francis Olympic Field in St. Louis. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

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Wash. U.221661054

DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS, MO — In its season opener last week, the Washington University football team scored 30 points in the first quarter and cruised to a 52-7 win over Hendrix. Things didn’t go quite the same this week.

On Saturday, Wash. U. scored 36 points in a quarter… and a half, to once again coast to a 54-7 victory. This time over visiting Millikin, in the CCIW conference opener for both teams at Francis Olympic Field.

The Bears scored points in just about every fashion in the first 24 minutes of the game. They got an interception return for a score by linebacker Sam Mattecheck, a quarterback sack in the end zone for a safety, three touchdown passes by quarterback Matt Rush, and a touchdown run by tailback Kenneth Hamilton.

The only things that do didn’t go right for Wash. U. in the first half, was a missed field goal on its first possession, and a couple of missed PATs.

After Millikin scored a touchdown of its own, the Bears got another safety on a sack in the end zone, which allowed them to take a 38-7 lead into halftime.

The second half was more of the same, as Wash. U. outscored Millikin 16-0, with a couple more touchdowns and another field goal, to finish out the game.

Rush finished the day with 209 yards, on 18-of-26 passing, with those three touchdowns and an interception. Receivers Collin Goldberg and Collin Hoyhta combined for seven catches, 120 yards, and three touchdowns, as the Bears scored 50-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time in school history.

The Wash. U. defense absolutely smothered Millikin’s offense, holding the Big Blue to just 128 yards of total offense, while sacking their quarterback nine times. Sophomore Josh Hartman had three of those sacks, including one of the two in the Millikin end zone that produced a safety.

Senior linebacker Matthew Schmal had a game-high seven tackles (four solo) to also spark the Wash. U. defense.

The Bears are now 2-0 on the season, after beginning the season with two home games. They’ll be on the road next week though, with a game against Carthage College.

Wash. U.’s next home game will be in three weeks, when the Bears will host Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, October 8, at Francis Olympic Field.

QtrTimeScoring PlayMILLIKINWASH. U.
1st10:30WASH. U. – Sam Mattecheck 30 yd interception return (PAT blocked)06
1st09:34WASH. U. – QB sack in end zone for safety08
1st04:52WASH. U. – Collin Goldberg 14 yd pass from Matt Rush (Chris Vartanian kick) 10 plays, 61 yards, TOP 4:41015
1st02:58WASH. U. – Kenneth Hamilton 4 yd run (Chris Vartanian kick), 1 plays, 4 yards, TOP 0:09022
2nd11:43WASH. U. – Collin Hoyhtya 15 yd pass from Matt Rush (Chris Vartanian kick) 7 plays, 79 yards, TOP 2:24029
2nd09:48WASH. U. – Collin Goldberg 40 yd pass from Matt Rush (Chris Vartanian kick) 1 plays, 40 yards, TOP 0:09036
2nd05:26MILLIKIN – Aidan Lombardo 1 yd run (David Ramirez kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:22736
2nd01:56WASH. U. – QB sack in end zone for safety738
3rd11:42WASH. U. – Kenneth Hamilton 1 yd run (Chris Vartanian kick failed), 1 plays, 1 yards, TOP 0:00744
4th07:32WASH. U. – Zachary Ginsburg 27 yd pass from Clark Stephens (Andrew Grisack kick) 3 plays, 35 yards, TOP 0:47751
4th04:50WASH. U. – Andrew Grisack 37 yd field goal 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 1:45754
Washington University Bears Upcoming 2022 Football Schedule
Sat., September 24 — at Carthage* — 12 pm
Sat., October 1 — at North Park* — 1 pm
Sat., October 8 — vs. Illinois Wesleyan* — 1 pm
Sat., October 15 — at Augustana* — 3 pm
Sat., October 22 — vs. North Central* — 1 pm
Sat., October 29 — at Elmhurst* — 1 pm
Sat., November 5 — vs. Wheaton* — 1 pm
Sat., November 12 — at Carroll* — 12 pm
* – denotes CCIW Conference Game
All Wash. U. home football games will be played at Francis Olympic Field.