Oberlin, Ohio, October 22, 2011 – Junior quarterback Dan Burkett threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score as the Washington University in St. Louis football team posted a 24-21 win at Oberlin College on Saturday afternoon at Savage Field in Oberlin, Ohio.
Burkett completed 14-of-24 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, and also picked up 38 yards and a touchdown score on the ground in the victory. Oberlin had a 462-300 advantage in total offense, and completed 39-of-64 passes for 458 yards. Washington U. had a 21-0 advantage entering the fourth quarter, and was outscored 21-3 in the final quarter by the Yeomen.
Washington University struggled to move the football in the opening quarter, totaling just 27 yards of total offense. Burkett was picked off on the Bears' opening drive after driving to the Oberlin 43-yard line. Washington U. broke the scoreless tie midway through the second quarter following a 46-yard touchdown pass from Burkett to seniorEaston Knott.
Oberlin picked up 212 yards of total offense in the opening half of play, but could not manage a score. The Yeomen were limited to two yards on the ground, but completed 20-of-29 passes for 210 yards. Burkett was 7-of-10 for 109 yards passing with a TD and an interception, while Knott had two receptions for 50 yards.
Washington U. took advantage of Oberlin's second turnover of the game midway through the third quarter to set up its second score of the game. Following a 44-yard interception return by freshman Ryan Bednar to the Oberlin one-yard run, Burkett scored from one-yard out after three-straight tries to punch it in.
The Bears extended the lead to 21-0 with six seconds remaining in the third quarter following a four-yard touchdown reception by junior Trevor LaBarge from Burkett.
Oberlin (2-5) found the end zone for the first tie with 14:48 left in the fourth quarter after quarterback Josh Mandel connected with Dan Wientraub for a 70-yard touchdown pass. The Yeomen made it a one-possession game following a 22-yard TD reception by Weintraub with 8:14 to play in the contest.
Junior Eric Chalifour added a 37-yard field goal with 4:15 to play to push the lead to 24-14, but Oberlin would not go away. A 59-yard kickoff return by Drew Mixter set up a six-yard touchdown pass by Mandel to Cory Kidd to cut the advantage to 24-21. Oberlin forced a punt on the ensuing Washington U. offensive possession and had one last chance to tie the game, but was stopped by the Bears on a 4th-and-12 on its own 44-yard line.
Senior linebacker Ed Ferguson led the defensive unit with a career-high 11 tackles, all solo stops.
Washington University (4-3) opens University Athletic Association (UAA) play on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Carnegie Mellon University. Kickoff is set for Noon (ET) at Gesling Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Bear Notebook: Washington U. leads the all-time series with Oberlin, 4-0 … Saturday's meeting was the second between the two teams in 63 years … Sophomore Scott O'Brien recorded his team-leading third interception of the year in the second quarter … Senior Joe Rhein made his 37th-consecutive start at center … The victory for head coach Larry Kindbom was the 169th of his career, 10th most by active NCAA Division III coaches … The Bears have won 17-straight games when scoring at least 21 points.