Game Leaders
Team Stats
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Time of Poss.
Elmhurst, Ill., Oct. 6, 2018 – The Washington University in St. Louis football team used a strong defensive effort in a 23-10 win at Elmhurst College Saturday in Elmhurst, Ill.
WashU limited Elmhurst to 234 yards of total offense (117 rushing, 117 passing) and had six sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the win. Senior linebacker Jake Coon led the Bears with 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception, while junior linebacker Jarrod Huther had nine tackles and a tackle for loss in his first game since Sept. 15.
WashU won its third-straight game to improve to 4-1 and 3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), while Elmhurst dropped to 1-4 and 0-4 in the league.
A low scoring first quarter saw the WashU defense control the line of scrimmage, limiting the Bluejays to 50 yards of offense on 20 plays. Elmhurst had one long drive in the quarter, but was halted by an interception by Coon.
WashU took the 7-0 lead with 3:36 left in the first quarter after a one-yard touchdown run by junior running back John Fisher.
Elmhurst tied the game midway through the second quarter, but junior quarterback Johnny Davidson connected with senior wide receiver Matt Goldberg on a 36-yard post pattern for the TD to make it 14-7 with 6:37 before half.
On the ensuing possession, WashU forced a three-and-out and then sophomore Andrew Whitaker blocked a punt and then recovered the ball on the Elmhurst 15-yard line. Two plays later, Fisher scored from two yards out to make it 20-7.
WashU forced a pair of punts and limited Elmhurst to just a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter as the Bears held onto a 20-10 lead.
The Bears lone score of the second half was a 25-yard field goal by senior Charles Cocciawith 8:26 left in the fourth quarter. Coccia is now 6-for-6 in field goals this season, and leads NCAA Division III in field goal percentage.
Davidson was 21-of-35 for 216 yards and a TD, while Goldberg had six receptions for 68 yards and a TD while junior wide receiver Nick Wattsadded five catches for 64 yards. WashU was held to a season-low 287 yards of total offense.
WashU hosts No. 13-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.) on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 1 p.m.
BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU and Elmhurst met for the first time in school history … Coon's interception in the second quarter was the ninth of his career … Elmhurst has not scored in the first quarter this season … WashU is off to a 4-1 start for the third time since 2007 … Davidson moved into seventh in school history in passing yards (3,511) … Sophomore Nick Cione had six punt returns for 75 yards.