WashU’s Collin Goldberg (1) celebrates with Brendan Mayo (69) following a touchdown in Saturday’s win over Millikin. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

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WashU (2-0)721142163
Millikin (0-2)0013013

Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

DECATUR, IL — The Washington University football team got its CCIW conference season off to a blazing start on Saturday, when it went on the road and defeated Millikin University, 63-13, at Hanson Stadium. It is the most points the Bears have scored since scoring 70 in 2015. WashU is now 2-0 on the year and 1-0 in conference play.

The Bears put up 586 yards of total offense and scored nine touchdowns on 14 possessions. The majority of those yards came on run plays, where the Bears totaled 371 yards on 44 carries, which came out to an average of 8.4 yards per carry.

Running backs Kenneth Hamilton and Kenvorris Campbell both had big days. Hamilton led all rushers with 133 yards on 14 carries, and Campbell followed with 116 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

Fellow RB Fred Ware also had a nice day. He had 79 yards on three carries. Most of which came on a 73-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Through the air, WashU put up 215 yards and five touchdowns, led by quarterback Matt Rush’s 133 yards. He and backup Clark Stephens both threw two touchdown passes.

Defensively, the Bears held the Big Blue to 288 total yards and negative-8 yards rushing. WashU also forced four turnovers, which included an interception and three fumble recoveries.

WashU scored its first touchdown on its first possession and remained in control throughout. But the big scoring outburst didn’t happen until the middle part of the game, when the Bears scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and two more in the third.

The Bears led 35-0 before the Big Blue made its first score midway through the third.

WashU closed the game with three scores in the fourth quarter, which included Stephens’s touchdown throws (both to Makael Carter), and third-string QB Connor DeChiro’s first career touchdown pass.

After beginning the new season with two straight road games, the Bears will host their home opener next Saturday, September 23, against Carthage.

Kickoff that day at Francis Olympic Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Scoring Summary

QtrTimeScoring PlayWASHUMIL
1st09:37WASHU – Moore, Levi 3 yd run (Kolb, Kollin kick), 8 plays, 58 yards, TOP 03:1570
2nd14:14WASHU – Goldberg, Collin 14 yd pass from Rush, Matt (Muchnick, Ross kick) 3 plays, 19 yards, TOP 01:06140
2nd12:08WASHU – Ware, Fred 73 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 1 plays, 73 yards, TOP 00:11210
2nd07:33WASHU – Campbell, Kenvorris 28 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:03280
3rd13:26WASHU – Moore, Levi 0 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 4 plays, 60 yards, TOP 01:26350
3rd08:04MIL – Hocq, Carter 1 yd run (PAT no good), 11 plays, 70 yards, TOP 05:16356
3rd03:05WASHU – Goldberg, Collin 20 yd pass from Rush, Matt (Muchnick, Ross kick) 5 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:19426
3rd00:00MIL – Miller, Chord 55 yd pass from Hocq, Carter (Ramirez, David kick) 4 plays, 64 yards, TOP 01:134213
4th12:05WASHU – Carter, Makael 46 yd pass from Stephens, Clark (Muchnick, Ross kick) 6 plays, 66 yards, TOP 02:474913
4th11:06WASHU – Carter, Makael 11 yd pass from Stephens, Clark (Muchnick, Ross kick) 1 plays, 11 yards, TOP 00:045613
4th09:17WASHU – Trost, Taidhgin 16 yd pass from Dechiro, Connor (Muchnick, Ross kick) 3 plays, 5 yards, TOP 00:586313

2023 WashU Bears Football Schedule

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
September 23, 20231 p.m.HomeCarthage CollegeFrancis Olympic Field
September 30, 20231 p.m.HomeNorth Park UniversityFrancis Olympic Field
October 7, 20231 p.m.AwayIllinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, Ill.
October 14, 20231 p.m.HomeAugustana CollegeFrancis Olympic Field
October 21, 20231 p.m.AwayNorth Central CollegeNaperville, Ill.
October 28, 20231 p.m.HomeElmhurst UniversityFrancis Olympic Field
November 4, 20231 p.m.AwayWheaton CollegeWheaton, Ill.
November 11, 202312 p.m.HomeCarroll UniversityFrancis Olympic Field