WashU Football Game Preview: Bears Host Home Opener On Saturday

CLAYTON, MO — The Washington University football team will play its highly anticipated 2024 home opener, Saturday at Francis Olympic Field, when the Bears will host Carroll University at 1 p.m. The game will be the CCIW conference opener for both clubs.

WashU is coming off a thrilling 44-20 win in its season opener on September 7 against Rhodes College. In that game, the Bears trailed 13-10 at halftime, but outscored the host Lynx 34-7 in the second half to pull out the win. WashU put up 431 total yards and used its powerful offense to control the flow of the game.

Carroll has also had two weeks off since its season opener, a 28-16 road win over Wisconsin-Stout on September 5. The Pioneers trailed briefly, 10-7, late in the second quarter, but scored two touchdowns just before halftime to go ahead 21-10.

Carroll was able to hold the lead the rest of the way and earn its first win over a WIAC team since 1978. It was also Carroll head coach Mike Budziszewski’s fourth straight win (with no defeats) since taking over the program last season.

Players to Watch: The WashU offense is led by senior quarterback Clark Stephens, who went 26-for-37 and threw for 289 yards and a touchdown in the opener. WashU’s other quarterback, sophomore Levi Moore, had two rushing touchdowns in the game as well.

Running backs Kenvorris Campbell and Kenneth Hamilton both had good days as well. Hamilton had 13 carries for 59 yards, while Campbell led the Bears with 75 yards on just five carries and two touchdowns. It was his 61-yard scamper late in the fourth that put the game away for WashU.

The biggest star of the day in the season opener was probably senior wide receiver Collin Goldberg, who put up career-highs with 13 catches for 158 yards in the game. Speedy sophomore Makael Carter caught a touchdown pass and had a 55-yard kickoff return.

On defense, the Bears were led by senior linebacker Grant Purdy and sophomore safety Kellen Fraile, who tied for the team-high with six tackles each. D-linemen T.J. Houston and Jack Middleton both had quarterbacks, and sophomore linebacker Spencer Snipe had his first career interception.

Carroll did most of its damage with its passing game. Junior quarterback Caden Pendleton threw for 212 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Pioneers.

Junior tight end Reed Breckheimer had five catches for 61 yards, while fellow junior wideout Santiago Rios had four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Another junior, 6-6 receiver Cameron Evans caught just two passes, but both were for touchdowns, including what proved to be the game-winner in the second quarter.

Up Next: The Bears will face their most likely toughest test of the season next week, when they’ll travel to Naperville, Ill., to take on No. 1-ranked North Central, which is already 1-0 this season, after having played in the NCAA Division III national championship game four years in a row.

The Cardinals won the national championship in 2019 and 2022, and defeated WashU 49-3 last season.

2024 WASHU BEARS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 at Rhodes College -- W 44-20
Sept. 21 vs. Carroll University -- 1 pm
Sept. 28 at #1 North Central -- 12 pm
Oct. 5 at Illinois Wesleyan -- 1 pm
Oct. 12 vs. Carthage -- 1 pm
Oct. 19 at Elmhurst -- 1 pm
Oct. 26 vs. #18 Wheaton -- 1 pm
Nov. 2 vs. Millikin -- 12 pm
Nov. 9 at North Park -- 12 pm
Nov. 16 vs. Augustana -- 12 pm