WashU RB Kenneth Hamilton tries to elude an Augustana defender during Saturday’s NCAA Division III football game at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo courtesy: WashU Athletics)
| NCAA Football | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augustana (4-6, 3-6) | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| WashU (8-2, 7-2) | 10 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor
CLAYTON, MO — The Washington University football team finished off a fine 2024 regular season by defeating Augustana College, 45-24, Saturday afternoon at Francis Olympic Field.
The Bears finished the season with an 8-2 overall record and a third-place 7-2 mark in CCIW play.
Prior to the game, WashU honored its 18 seniors and two graduate students, who were all playing their last game at Francis Olympic Field.
The game itself was a back and forth affair with both teams’ offenses dominating the action. The teams combined for nearly 800 yards of total offense.
WashU finished with 481 total yards, while Augustana had 305. The Augies did most of their damage in the first half, while the Bears seemed able to move the ball throughout the entire game.
The high scoring first half finished with WashU ahead 24-17 at the break. Augustana tied the game early in the third quarter, but WashU responded by scoring three straight touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to retake the lead and put the game away.
QB Levi Moore had a big day for the Bears. The sophomore threw for 214 yards and two touchdown passes, and rushed for 94 yards and another touchdown to lead the WashU offense.
RB Fred Ware led all rushers with 95 yards and two touchdown runs– one late in the third quarter and another late in the fourth — that helped put the game away for the Bears.
Moore scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 9-yard run midway through the third.
RB Fred Ware rushed for 95 yards and scored two touchdowns in WashU’s win over Augustana College on Saturday. (Photo: Primo Greenway)
Freshman DL Jack Middleton had five tackles and three quarterback sacks to lead the WashU defense.
The Bears will now wait to see if there is postseason football in their future. No. 1-ranked North Central won the CCIW and earns the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Wheaton finished second and is a likely choice to receive an at-large bid.
If that happens, WashU would then be the CCIW’s choice to play in the Culver’s Isthmus Bowl, which would be played next Saturday, November 23, at Sun Prairie Stadium in Sun Prairie, Wis. The NCAA Division III Football Selection Show is on Sunday at 4 p.m., on NCAA.com.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | AUG | WASHU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11:56 | AUG – Schlanser,Sean 26 yd pass from Crawley,Liam (Clem,Joren kick) 4 plays, 35 yards, TOP 01:42 | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | 08:28 | WASHU – Muchnick, Ross 30 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:51 | 7 | 3 |
| 1st | 06:37 | WASHU – Hajicek, Grant 69 yd pass from Moore, Levi (Muchnick, Ross kick) 2 plays, 69 yards, TOP 00:20 | 7 | 10 |
| 1st | 06:11 | AUG – DiGioia,Mike 28 yd run (Clem,Joren kick), 2 plays, 28 yards, TOP 00:14 | 14 | 10 |
| 2nd | 10:28 | WASHU – Hamilton, Kenneth 1 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 04:32 | 14 | 17 |
| 2nd | 03:00 | AUG – Clem,Joren 33 yd field goal 14 plays, 34 yards, TOP 07:20 | 17 | 17 |
| 2nd | 00:19 | WASHU – Goldberg, Collin 13 yd pass from Moore, Levi (Muchnick, Ross kick) 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 02:35 | 17 | 24 |
| 3rd | 12:56 | AUG – Ludlum,Ben 66 yd run (Clem,Joren kick), 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 01:57 | 24 | 24 |
| 3rd | 05:37 | WASHU – Moore, Levi 9 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 6 plays, 56 yards, TOP 03:00 | 24 | 31 |
| 3rd | 00:06 | WASHU – Ware, Fred 1 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 03:13 | 24 | 38 |
| 4th | 01:54 | WASHU – Ware, Fred 3 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 5 plays, 43 yards, TOP 03:07 | 24 | 45 |