WashU’s Makael Carter breaks free on a kickoff return during Saturday’s NCAA Division III football game against Wheaton. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
| NCAA Division III Football | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #25 Wheaton (5-2, 5-1) | 0 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 27 |
| WashU (5-2 , 4-2) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor
CLAYTON, MO — The Washington University football team scored 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s huge CCIW league game against No. 25 Wheaton College, but it wasn’t enough, as the visiting Thunder defeated the Bears, 27-20.
Wheaton dominated the action through the first three quarters and led 27-3 going into the fourth, but WashU scored a pair of clutch touchdowns and kicked a field goal with 22 seconds left to pull within one score.
The Bears then tried an onside kick to try to get the ball back and have one last chance to possibly tie the game. But Wheaton recovered the kick and ran out the clock to win the game.
Both teams are now 5-2 on the season, but Wheaton is now 5-1 in conference play, while WashU fell to 4-2. The win will probably lock up second place for Wheaton in the CCIW this season and depending on how the Thunder finishes its final three games might earn the club a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs.
WashU has a strong shot at finishing the season with a winning record for the sixth straight season (there was no play in 2020 due to Covid), but the Bears will probably not make the playoffs this year.
WashU’s TJ Houston (97) smashes the Wheaton quarterback during the second quarter of Saturday’s NCAA Division III football game at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
Things began well for WashU. The Bears drove down the field and kicked a field goal to take a 3-0 lead on their first drive. Then, the WashU defense intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble to keep the high-powered Wheaton offense off the scoreboard.
But things changed early in the second quarter, when Wheaton blocked a WashU punt and recovered it on the WashU 7-yard line. Four plays later, Wheaton quarterback Mark Forcucci found teammate Davis Reeves for a 4-yard touchdown that gave the Thunder a 7-3 lead.
Wheaton added to its lead late in the half, when Forcucci ran for a 3-yard touchdown that put the Thunder up 14-3 heading into halftime.
The onslaught continued in the third quarter. WashU quarterback Levi Moore fumbled and it was recovered by Wheaton. On the next play, Forcucci hit leading receiver Ben Bonga for a 32-yard touchdown that put the Thunder up 21-3.
Wheaton scored its final touchdown with 7 seconds left in the third quarter on a 7-yard run by backup running back Deuce Scott.
The Thunder had firm control of the game, but the Bears wouldn’t relent.
The first big play came early in the fourth, when senior running back Kenvorris Campbell broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run that, along with a two-point conversion run by Taidhgin Trost cut WashU’s deficit to 27-11.
Later in the fourth, Moore found speedy wideout Makael Carter for a 24-yard touchdown that made the score 27-17.
The Bears got the ball back again and kicked a 20-yard field goal to pull within a touchdown. But the Thunder recovered the onside kick and that was the end of the game.
Moore finished with 23 completions on 38 passes for 219 yards, with the one touchdown, an interception, and the lost fumble. Campbell led the Bears with 87 rushing yards and the touchdown. Carter caught four passes for 87 yards and his touchdown.
The WashU Bears are 5-2 with three games left in the season. (Photo: Cedric Williams)
WashU will be home again next week. This time, the Bears will host Millikin University in a matchup that will kickoff at Francis Olympic Field at 12 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | WHE | WAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 08:03 | WAS – Muchnick,Ross 23 yd field goal 11 plays, 45 yards, TOP 05:25 | 0 | 3 |
| 2nd | 09:42 | WHE – Reeves,Davis 4 yd pass from Forcucci,Mark (Jesch,Mateo kick) 4 plays, 7 yards, TOP 01:19 | 7 | 3 |
| 2nd | 01:02 | WHE – Forcucci,Mark 3 yd run (Jesch,Mateo kick), 11 plays, 91 yards, TOP 05:23 | 14 | 3 |
| 3rd | 08:09 | WHE – Bonga,Ben 32 yd pass from Forcucci,Mark (Jesch,Mateo kick) 1 plays, 32 yards, TOP 00:09 | 21 | 3 |
| 3rd | 00:07 | WHE – Scott,Deuce 7 yd run (PAT blocked), 5 plays, 57 yards, TOP 01:42 | 27 | 3 |
| 4th | 13:18 | WAS – Campbell,Kenvorris 58 yd run (Trost,Taidhgin 2-pt rush), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:42 | 27 | 11 |
| 4th | 04:53 | WAS – Carter,Makael 24 yd pass from Moore,Levi (2-pt attempt failed) 8 plays, 64 yards, TOP 03:38 | 27 | 17 |
| 4th | 00:22 | WAS – Muchnick,Ross 20 yd field goal 13 plays, 77 yards, TOP 02:31 | 27 | 20 |
2024 WashU Bears Football Schedule
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2, 2024 | 12 p.m. | Home | Millikin University | Francis Olympic Field |
| November 9, 2024 | 12 p.m. | Away | North Park University | Chicago, Ill. / Holmgren Athletic Complex |
| November 16, 2024 | 12 p.m. | Home | Augustana College | Francis Olympic Field |