The Washington University in St. Louis football team scored 24 unanswered points en route to a 24-3 win over Rhodes College on Saturday afternoon at Francis Field in St. Louis. Washington U., which improved to 4-1 for the first time since 2001, limited Rhodes to 122 yards of total offense in the second half.
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“The guys played hard today and made plays,” said Washington University head coach Larry Kindbom. “The defense played a heck of a game, while the offense was sharp. This was a nice win for us over a good football team.”
The two teams traded field goals on the first two possessions of the game. A 29-yard field goal by Chris Catalanotto put Rhodes up 3-0, but Washington U. marched down the field and knotted the game with on a career-long 37-yard field goal by senior Michael Elliott.
Washington U., which managed just 54 yards of total offense in the first quarter, marched 75 yards on eight plays midway through the second quarter for a lead it would not relinquish. Junior Buck Smith hit senior Michael Casper on a 37-yard touchdown strike to make it 10-3 with 5:11 remaining.
Washington University outgained Rhodes 169-154 in total offense in the first half, despite giving up 70 yards rushing. Smith connected on 8-of-15 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown in the opening half.
Smith then took the Bears 82 yards on 15 plays on the first possession of the third quarter. Sophomore Matt Glenn scored from one-yard out for his sixth touchdown of the year to make it 17-3. The key play of the drive was Casper’s 23-yard reception on 4th-and-14, which took the Bears down to the one-yard line.
Senior Evan Mayer got a finger on Rhodes’ punt on the ensuing possession, as Washington U. took over on the Lynx’ 37-yard line. A nine yard-reception by senior Matt Koenigsknecht brought the Bears’ to the one-yard line before Smith connected with senior Jeff Howenstein for a one-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-3 with 2:56 left in the third quarter.
Smith finished 19-of-30 in passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns, as he eclipsed 1,000 yards (1,0014) for the season. Casper had three receptions for 71 yards, including a touchdown, while junior Kyle Gray added three catches for 61 yards.
Washington U. had a 33:07-26:53 advantage in time of possession, and also a 324-256 advantage in total offense. The Bears’ defense held Rhodes to two of 14 third-down conversions, and one of four on fourth down. Mason Mosby of Rhodes had a game-high 13 tackles, while Desmond Hendricks added eight tackles and two sacks.
Washington University returns to action at home on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 1 p.m. against LaGrange College.