Conway, Ark., October 12, 2013 – The Washington University in St. Louis football team stopped Hendrix College one-yard short of a game-wining touchdown as the Bears held on for a 45-41 victory at Hendrix College Saturday at Young-Wise Memorial Stadium in Conway, Ark.
Washington U. took the 45-41 lead with 51 seconds left after senior quarterback Eric Daginella found freshman wide receiver Zach Strittmatter open for a 17-yard touchdown pass. On the ensuing drive, freshman quarterback Tanner Frye led the Warriors down to the WUSTL 35-yard line with 3.4 seconds left before a Hendrix timeout.
Frye's Hail Mary attempt was brought down at the WUSTL one-yard line by freshman Spencer Smith, but senior defensive back Andrew Skalman tackled Smith a yard short of the end zone to end the game. Washington U. won its third-straight game to improve its overall record to 4-2, while Hendrix lost its second-straight contest to fall to 2-3.
Washington U. had 524 yards of total offense (309 rushing, 220 passing) in the win, its second-straight game with over 500 yards of total offense. Daginella was 19-of-32 for 220 yards and a TD, and also ran for a career-best 83 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns. Junior running back Zach Lonneman added a career-best 142 yards on 22 carries and a TD. Lonneman, who has ran for 100 or more yards in two-straight games, leads the UAA with 554 yards rushing (92.3 ypg).
Washington U. jumped ahead 10-7 after the first quarter following a five-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Cody Ratermann and a 31-yard field goal by sophomore Alex Hallwachs.
Washington U. held onto a 24-21 lead with 1:29 to play before halftime after a two-yard TD run by Lonneman and a one-yard TD run by Daginella. Hendrix starting QB Seth Peters led the Warriors down the field 42 yards in eight plays to set up a 30-yard field goal by Steve Crenshaw as time expired to tie the score at 24-24 at half.
One-yard TD runs by Daginella and Ratermann in the third quarter gave the Bears the 38-31 lead, but the lead with not stand. Crenshaw connected on a 21-yard field goal to trim the advantage to 38-34, and then Tanner Frye scored from four-yards out with 4:56 to play to put Hendrix up 41-38.
Senior defensive back Tate Byers led the Washington U. defensive unit with eight tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss and a forced fumble, while junior defensive back Ryan Bednar and senior defensive lineman Nelson Nwumeh added seven tackles each.
Peters, who entered the game with an NCAA Division III-best 16 touchdown passes, was 19-of-25 for 232 yards and a TD. Frye came in off the bench and was 7-of-9 for 84 yards. Dayton Winn led the ground attack with 99 yards on 20 carries and a pair of touchdowns, while Travus McMahon had 92 yards receiving and a TD. Caleb Shannon led the Hendrix defensive unit with 16 tackles.
Washington University has a bye week before returning to action Saturday, Oct. 26, at Macalester College. Game time is set for Noon in St. Paul, Minn. The Scots have a 2-3 overall record after a 56-17 loss to Carleton College Saturday.
Bear Notebook: This was the first meeting between the two teams … Washington U. has won 23-straight games dating back to the 2007 season when scoring 21 or more points … Head coach Larry Kindbompicked up the 180th win of his career, sixth most by an active NCAA Division III coach … The Bears are 4-2 for the first time since 2010 … There was a combined three punts in the contest … The Bears entered the day allowing just 55 points in four games, and ranked 14th in NCAA Division III in scoring defense (11.0 p/g) … Washington U. was 10-of-15 on third downs and 7-of-8 in the red zone... Freshman Dylan Newcomb led the Bears with 176 all-purpose yards, including career-long 58-yard kickoff return.