Third-Quarter Rally Lifts Washington U. to 10-7 Win At Case Western Reserve;
Cleveland, Ohio, November 3, 2012 — The Washington University in St. Louis football team limited Case Western University to 184 yards of total offense in a 10-7 victory on Saturday afternoon at Case Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
With the win Washington University secured a share of its ninth University Athletic Association (UAA) championship in school history and its first since 2004.
Washington U. wraps up 2012 regular-season play with a road game at the University of Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 10. Game time is set for Noon in the Windy City. A win at Chicago would clinch the outright UAA title for the Bears.
The Bears offense struggled in the opening half gaining just 91 yards of total offense. Junior quarterback Eric Daginella was 8-of-21 for 65 yards in the first half, as Washington U. punted on six of seven possessions. On the final drive of the half, freshman Alex Hallwachs' 41-yard field goal was wide right.
Hallwachs redeemed himself with a 25-yard field goal with 5:23 left in the third quarter to trim the advantage to 7-3. After the Washington U. defense forced a three-and-out, it took the Bears just four plays to take the lead for good.
The big play of the drive was a 64-yard pass from Daginella to sophomore wide receiver Tim Bartholomew that got the Bears' down to the Spartan one-yard line. Bartholomew finished the day four catches for a career-high 98 yards.
A botched snap by the Spartan punt team gave the Bears' first down on the five with 10:41 left in the fourth quarter. Case Western's defense came up clutch and held Washington U. to a 23-yard field goal try by Hallwachs that was blocked to keep it at 10-7.
Sophomore Zach Lonneman led the rushing attack with 42 yards on nine carries, as Washington U. was limited to 74 yards on the ground. Daginella was 16-of-40 for 196 yards and was sacked just once.
WUSTL's defense forced 10 punts and had an interception in the win, and limited Case to 86 yards on the ground and 98 yards passing. The 184 yards allowed are the lowest since Sept. 4, 2010, when the Bears allowed 134 yards in a 34-3 win at home against Knox College.
Junior linebacker Peter Lowery (11 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack) and sophomore linebacker Fade Oluokun (10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss) led the defensive effort for Washington U., who had 12 tackles for loss and four sacks in the win. Senior defensive lineman William Small added six tackles, three quarterback hurries, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Bear Notebook: Washington U. leads the all-time series with Case 18-9 … The Bears are 55-27 (.670) all-time in UAA play … Washington U. and Case Western Reserve were chosen as the co-favorites in the UAA Preseason Coaches Poll … The teams combined for 20 punts in the game (10 each) … The interception by junior defensive back Tate Byers in the second quarter was the third of his career.
