Wash. U. running back Kenneth Hamilton tries to evade a couple of defenders during Saturday’s CCIW football game against North Central at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo courtesy: Wash. U. Athletics)

Team1st2nd3rd4thTotal
#1 North Central1477331
#21 Wash. U.00000

Steven Millbrook
Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Washington University football team suffered its first loss of the season, Saturday afternoon, when it was shutout 31-0, by the No. 1-ranked NCAA Division III team in the country, North Central.

The Bears came into the game averaging 52.3 points and nearly 500 yards of offense per game, but were held scoreless and to just 222 yards by the top-ranked Cardinals. North Central posted more than twice as many yards (463) as Wash. U., and cruised to its seventh straight win.

The loss dropped Wash. U. to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in CCIW play, while North Central improved to 7-0 and 6-0.

Both teams did well moving the ball in the first half. There were no three-and-outs and not many penalties.

Unfortunately for the Bears though, the Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first three possessions, while Wash. U.’s drives ended with a punt, a fumble, and an interception. North Central led 21-0 at halftime.

Then in the third quarter, when Wash. U. got the ball first, the Bears did go three-and-out, then saw their deficit increase, as North Central scored another touchdown two plays later to go up 28-0.

In all, the Cardinals scored points on five of their eight possessions, while Wash. U. went 0-for-8 on the day.

QB Matt Rush completed 13-of-20 passes for 155 yards and also gained 25 yards rushing. But he was also sacked four times and threw one interception.

On the other side, North Central’s Luke Lehnen threw for 228 yards and three touchdowns, with all three going to All-American wide receiver DeAngelo Hardy, who finished the day with nine catches for 160 yards and the three touchdowns.

Defensively, linebacker Matthew Schmal had a game-high 13 tackles (six solo), and Dalton Bingman added eight tackles, but it wasn’t nearly enough to contain the high octance North Central offense.

The Bears will be back in action next week, with a road game at Elmhurst College, on Saturday, October 29. Kickoff that day is scheduled for 1 p.m.

QtrTimeScoring PlayNCCWASH. U.
1st08:21NCC – DeAngelo Hardy 13 yd pass from Luke Lehnen (Tanner Rains kick) 12 plays, 69 yards, TOP 6:3970
1st00:38NCC – Luke Lehnen 1 yd run (Tanner Rains kick), 11 plays, 71 yards, TOP 5:30140
2nd06:12NCC – DeAngelo Hardy 28 yd pass from Luke Lehnen (Tanner Rains kick) 11 plays, 98 yards, TOP 6:33210
3rd13:05NCC – DeAngelo Hardy 47 yd pass from Luke Lehnen (Tanner Rains kick) 2 plays, 67 yards, TOP 0:42280
4th02:37NCC – Tanner Rains 24 yd field goal 10 plays, 18 yards, TOP 3:42310
Washington University Bears Upcoming 2022 Football Schedule
Sat., October 29 — at Elmhurst* — 1 pm
Sat., November 5 — vs. #11 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.