The 2-0 WashU Bears will host defending D3 national champion and current No. 1-ranked North Central College on Saturday. (Photo: Ellie Parker)

WashU Football – Gameday Info
Game No. 3 — #1 North Central Cardinals (2-0) at WashU Bears (2-0)
Date/Time – September 27, 2025 – 1 pm
Location – Francis Olympic Field — Clayton, MO
Watch — WashU Sports Network
Listen — WashU Student Radio/KWUR 90.3 FM
Live Stats — Sidearm Stats

Steven Millbrook
Special to the Editor

CLAYTON, MO — The unbeaten Washington University Bears will host the defending NCAA Division III national champion and current No. 1-ranked North Central College Cardinals in a CCIW conference game on Saturday.

The Bears have looked fantastic in their two wins — a 49-0 drubbing of Rhodes College in the season opener and a 41-29 comeback win over Carroll University last week — but this week’s matchup will almost certainly be the team’s toughest of the season.

North Central will come to town having won 44 straight CCIW games and owning a 10-1 series edge in its matchups against WashU.

NCC has won the last seven meetings and holds a perfect 6-0 record in games played in St. Louis.

In its two games, the Bears have been one of the most balanced teams in the country. WashU has scored 12 touchdowns — six through the air and six on the ground — and it has thrown for 426 yards and rushed for 400. But the Bears will be tested by what may be the best defense in the country on Saturday.

North Central has only allowed 14 points in its two games and are coming off a 62-0 shutout over Carthage last week.

WashU QB Levi Moore threw four touchdown passes in the Bears’ win over Carroll University last week. (Photo: Ellie Parker)

In last year’s meeting, NCC pummeled Washu 49-9. The Cardinals racked up 563 yards of total offense while limiting the Bears to just 145.

Quarterback Luke Lehnen led the charge, completing 9 of 14 passes for 192 yards and adding a team-high 70 rushing yards on only six carries. Calvin Lavery also contributed through the air, going 11-for-15 for 126 yards. Jack Rummell and Thomas Skokna each eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark for the first time in their careers, with Rummell hauling in six catches for 123 yards and Skokna adding seven receptions for 102 yards.

Defensively, Brayden Garrigan paced the Cardinals with eight tackles, including two for loss. John Sullivan added 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to round out a dominant performance.

Players to Watch: Quarterback Levi Moore has thrown five touchdown passes for 351 yards, connecting with four different receivers. Makael Carter leads the receiving corps with 167 yards on eight catches, followed by Drew Bowmar with 98 yards on five receptions.

Moore also leads the ground game, rushing for 177 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Fred Ware has added 119 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries.

Defensively, WashU has forced three turnovers. Ethan Venable and Wiley Flores lead the team in sacks with one apiece, while Joy Chane has recorded a team-high 15 total tackles. Chane and Ryan Schmadtke have each notched an interception.

Up Next: WashU will be home again next Saturday. The Bears will host Illinois Wesleyan in a game that will kick off at 1 p.m.

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 Field
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