WR Collin Goldberg makes a leaping grab during WashU’s win over Carroll University, Saturday at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

NCAA Football1st2nd3rd4thFinal
Carroll (1-1, 0-1)00077
WashU (2-0, 1-0)1477735

CLAYTON, MO — The Washington University football team delivered a dominant performance in its 2024 home opener on Saturday. The Bears crushed visiting Carroll University, 35-7, in the CCIW league opener for both teams at Francis Olympic Field.

The WashU defense had a particularly fine day, as it held Carroll to just 163 total yards and allowed the Pioneers to convert only one of its 15 third down chances.

The Bears were led by DB Ryan Schmatke, who had a team-high eight tackles (six solo), and defensive linemen Joy Chane and Jack Middleton, who combined for six tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback sack, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble.

DB Brett Kersemeier also intercepted a pass, which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown. That play came midway through the third quarter and was the play that broke the game wide open, as it gave WashU a 28-0 lead.

Brett Kersemeier races downfield for a pick-six touchdown during WashU’s win over Carroll, Saturday at Francis Olympic Field. (Photo: Primo Greenway)

WashU scored its first three touchdowns with efficient offense. The Bears put up 360 total yards, 232 of those came from the run game, as WashU controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game.

Quarterback Levi Moore threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Fred Ware late in the first quarter to put the Bears on the board. Then, following a muffed punt by Carroll, tight end Grant Hajicek threw a reverse-pass touchdown for 14 yards to fellow tight end John Benke for a touchdown that made the score 14-0.

Then, late in the second quarter, following a Carroll fumble that was recovered by Chane, running back Kenneth Hamilton rumbled in for a 1-yard score that put the Bears up 21-0. That was also the score at halftime.

Hamilton finished with a game-high 92 rushing yards, narrowly missing his sixth career 100-yard rushing game.

Both teams scored in the fourth quarter. Carroll punched in a touchdown, following a WashU fumble, early in the fourth. And WashU put the game away with a 31-yard touchdown run by Moore on its ensuing possession.

The Bears are now 2-0 on the year and 1-0 in the CCIW. Next week, they’ll face their toughest test of the season, when they go on the road to Naperville, Ill., to take on No. 1-ranked North Central. The Cardinals are 3-0 this year, went 14-1 last year, and have been to the NCAA Division III national championship game in each of the last four seasons.

Kickoff for next Saturday’s contest at North Central is set for 12 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

QtrTimeScoring PlayCARWASHU
1st02:46WASHU – Ware, Fred 25 yd pass from Moore, Levi (Muchnick, Ross kick) 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 06:2907
1st00:25WASHU – Benke, John 14 yd pass from Hajicek, Grant (Muchnick, Ross kick) 1 plays, 14 yards, TOP 00:00014
2nd00:23WASHU – Hamilton, Kenneth 1 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 7 plays, 32 yards, TOP 03:31021
3rd08:28WASHU – Kersemeier, Brett 55 yd interception return (Muchnick, Ross kick)028
4th10:36CAR – Coleman, Mikey 3 yd run (Swink, Matthew kick), 5 plays, 22 yards, TOP 02:39728
4th09:34WASHU – Moore, Levi 31 yd run (Muchnick, Ross kick), 2 plays, 28 yards, TOP 00:51735

2024 WashU Bears Football Schedule

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
September 28, 202412 p.m.Away#1 North Central CollegeNaperville, Ill. / Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium
October 5, 20241 p.m.AwayIllinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, Ill. / Tucci Stadium
October 12, 20241 p.m.HomeCarthage CollegeFrancis Olympic Field
October 19, 20241 p.m.AwayElmhurst UniversityElmhurst, Ill. / Langhorst Field
October 26, 20241 p.m.Home#18 Wheaton CollegeFrancis Olympic Field
November 2, 202412 p.m.HomeMillikin UniversityFrancis Olympic Field
November 9, 202412 p.m.AwayNorth Park UniversityChicago, Ill. / Holmgren Athletic Complex
November 16, 202412 p.m.HomeAugustana CollegeFrancis Olympic Field