The Washington University football team notched their first win of the year with an impressive 27-7 victory over Westminster College on Saturday afternoon. The University dominated on both sides of the ball, outgaining the Blue Jays 445-130 in total yardage.

Senior captain WR Brad Duesing led the team with eight catches for 151 yards and two scores, including a 66-yard TD pass in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Nick Henry, who started the game, completed 10 of 16 passes for 174 yards and two touchdown passes, while junior running back DaRonne Jenkins added 104 yards to the effort and two scores of his own on the ground as the Bears offense moved the ball at will against Westminister.

“I don’t think there is a question that we improved from the first week to the second week,” head coach Larry Kindbom commented. “When you find that wide receivers and running backs are doing well, it means the line is doing well. Our offensive line is protecting well, giving time to both the pass and the run.”

The defense also played an outstanding game, holding the Blue Jays to just 29 yards rushing on 20 attempts. Sophomore Evan Mayer led the way with 6 tackles as the Bears were stingy against the run all day, preventing Webster from opening up the passing game. As a result, the defense forced four interceptions, including two by senior defensive back Joe Rizzo, and rattled the Blue Jays quarterback all day, allowing just 101 yards on 37 attempts.

“The defense improved from the first week to the second week as well,” Kindbom added. “The secondary got to the football well, and we came up with four interceptions. Once again, it starts up front with the line, which had good pass rush all game.”

The Bears got on the board first with 8:06 left in the first quarter, capitalizing off an early turnover and responded with a 14-yard TD, the first of Duesing’s two TD receptions. The Bears then took a 14-0 lead on Jenkins’ first career touchdown run, a lead the Bears would take into halftime.

Westminister responded early in the third quarter, but the Bears would answer back with the game’s biggest play, as Henry hit Duesing for a 66-yard score as time expired in the third quarter, giving the defense some extra breathing room. Jenkins would put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter with 4:44 left in the game, breaking off a 48-yard run for a score, his longest of the day. The defense would take it from there, capping an inspiring effort, allowing just 130 total yards after yielding 439 the previous week to Mount Union College.

Next Saturday, Sept. 17, the Bears take on the Wabash Little Giants in their home opener. Last week, Wabash opened up their season with a 46-6 victory against Kalamazoo College.

“This team has an outstanding defense,” Kindbom commented about Wabash. “They do a good job swarming the football, and we need to find ways to get into the end zone.”

Game time is set for 1 p.m. as the Bears try to get over .500 for the first time in this young season.

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