WashU QB Levi Moore looks for someone to throw to during the Bears’ game against top-ranked North Central on Saturday. (Photo: Ellie Parker)

NCAA Football1st2nd3rd4thFinal
#1 North Central (3-0, 2-0)171071044
WashU (2-1, 1-1)770014

Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor

CLAYTON, MO — The Washington University football team suffered its first loss of the 2025 season, when it fell to No. 1-ranked and defending NCAA Division III national champion North Central College, 44-14, in a game Saturday at Francis Olympic Field.

WashU is now 2-1 on the season and 1-1 in CCIW league play. North Central is 3-0 and will almost certainly remain the top-ranked D3 team in the country, especially after its efficient performance against the Bears on Saturday.

NCC put up 427 total yards (223 passing and 204 rushing), picked up 19 first downs, and scored points in every quarter.

WashU stayed in the game through the first half, tying the score on its first possession after an NCC touchdown, then after falling behind 24-7, responding with another touchdown of its own to get back to 24-14.

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Bears would get, as NCC added two more touchdowns and two field goals to pull away later in the game.

Members of the WashU defense get set for a play during the Bears’ game against No. 1 North Central on Saturday. (Photo: Ellie Parker)

WashU quarterback Levi Moore had a tough day for the Bears. He completed just 13-of-34 passes for 156 yards, but he did throw two touchdown passes.

NCC quarterback Garret Wilson threw for 204 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a touchdown to lead the visiting Cardinals.

Defensively, linebacker Joy Chane had a game-high 10 tackles and made one of three interceptions for the Bears on the day. Teammate Ryan Schmadtke had six tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception of his own, while Salomon Dessalines had four tackles, a sack, and an interception.

WashU will be home again next weekend, when it hosts Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, October 4. Kickoff at Francis Olympic Field is set for 6 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

QtrTimeScoring PlayNCCWASHU
1st13:03NCC – Roby, Rahmareon 56 yd interception return (Ellison,Aidan kick)70
1st09:30WASHU – Blumenthal, Lucas 16 yd pass from Moore, Levi (Adrogue, Matias kick) 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 00:4877
1st07:31NCC – Skokna, Thomas 16 yd pass from Wilson, Garret (Ellison, Aidan kick) 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 01:53147
1st02:25NCC – Ellison, Aidan 49 yd field goal 7 plays, 43 yards, TOP 02:53177
2nd12:39NCC – Wilson, Garret 12 yd run (Ellison, Aidan kick), 7 plays, 81 yards, TOP 03:11247
2nd09:00WASHU – Carter, Makael 42 yd pass from Moore, Levi (Adrogue, Matias kick) 1 plays, 42 yards, TOP 00:102414
2nd00:16NCC – Ellison, Aidan 24 yd field goal 11 plays, 64 yards, TOP 01:242714
3rd05:05NCC – Allen, Sean 13 yd run (Ellison, Aidan kick), 3 plays, 68 yards, TOP 01:023414
4th05:42NCC – Ellison, Aidan 47 yd field goal, 8 plays, 41 yards, TOP 03:443714
4th01:55NCC – McNeal, Donovan 5 yd run (Ellison, Aidan kick), 4 plays, 26 yards, TOP 01:394414

WASHU BEARS 2025 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationResults
September 67 pmHomeRhodes CollegeFrancis Olympic FieldW, 49-0 (1-0)
September 20 1 pmAwayCarroll UniversityWaukesha, Wis. / Schneider StadiumW, 41-29 (2-0)
September 271 pmHome#1 North Central Francis Olympic FieldL, 44-14 (2-1)
October 46 pmHomeIllinois WesleyanFrancis Olympic Field
October 11 1 pmAwayCarthageKenosha, Wis. / Keller Field
October 181 pmHomeElmhurstFrancis Olympic Field
October 251 pmAwayWheatonWheaton, Ill. / McCully Stadium
November 11 p.m.AwayMillikinDecatur, Ill. / Lindsay Field
November 8 12 pmHomeNorth ParkFrancis Olympic Field
November 1512 p.m.AwayAugustanaRock Island, Ill. / Lindberg Stadium