WashU Picks Up Big Road Win Over Illinois Wesleyan

BLOOMINGTON, IL -- The Washington University football team got its quarterback back on Saturday and its offense looked in sync again.

WashU went on the road and put up nearly 400 yards of total offense and scored five touchdowns against a stout Illinois Wesleyan defense, in what proved to be a 33-23 win for the Bears.

Senior Clark Stephens was one of the leading passers in the CCIW after two games, but had to miss last week's game against No. 1-ranked North Central. This week, Stephens was back and completed 22-of-38 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns to lead the WashU offense.

Senior running back Kenvorris Campbell also had a huge day. The 5-10, 225-pounder from Eudora, Ark., rushed for a career-high 145 yards, including a career-long 80-yard dash through the heart of the IWU defense for a score, that helped give the Bears an early two-touchdown lead.

Fellow ball carrier Fred Ware had run for a 21-yard touchdown earlier for the first score of the game. IWU blocked the point-after attempt following the Campbell touchdown and returned it for a two-point score. WashU led 13-2 early in the second quarter.

From that point on, Stephens took control. He hit three separate receivers for touchdowns that helped the Bears build a 33-8 lead midway through the third.

IWU ran back the kickoff following Stephens' third touchdown toss and added a field goal late in the third to get within 10 points, but that's as close as the Titans would get, as WashU's defense held firm and kept IWU off the scoreboard the rest of the game.

WashU's Salomon Dessalines brings down IWU's Parker Roxton during the second quarter of Saturday's NCAA Division football game at Tucci Stadium in Bloomington, Ill. (Photo courtesy: IWU Athletics)

Several players on the WashU defense had big games as well. Safety Ryan Schmadtke led the Bears with 10 tackles (nine solo), while linebackers Salomon Dessalines and Joy Chane both had nine tackles.

Safety Joseph Norris had two interceptions and defensive lineman Jack Middleton had four tackles, including his third quarterback sack of the season. Middleton also forced a fumble. WashU forced four turnovers in the game.

Other offensive standouts included receiver Collin Goldberg, the CCIW leader in receptions, who had seven catches for 63 yards and a touchdown, and Makael Carter, who had five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears, who are now 3-1 on the season, will be back home next week, when they'll host Carthage at Francis Olympic Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

2024 WASHU BEARS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 7 at Rhodes College -- W 44-20
Sept. 21 vs. Carroll University* -- W 35-7
Sept. 28 at #1 North Central* -- L 49-9
Oct. 5 at Illinois Wesleyan* -- W 33-23
Oct. 12 vs. Carthage* -- 1 pm
Oct. 19 at Elmhurst* -- 1 pm
Oct. 26 vs. #24 Wheaton* -- 1 pm
Nov. 2 vs. Millikin* -- 12 pm
Nov. 9 at North Park* -- 12 pm
Nov. 16 vs. Augustana* -- 12 pm
* - denotes CCIW league game