Sophomore safety Jack Stanley and junior cornerback Izzy Mbatai celebrate after a play (Photo courtesy of Izzy Mbatai)

For the first time in 78 years, No. 8 WashU football has opened its season with seven consecutive victories. But for a brief stretch on Saturday afternoon’s matchup at Wabash College, that historic achievement appeared to be slipping away. After taking a 13-0 lead into halftime, the No. 8 Bears allowed 17 unanswered points in the third quarter and were on the brink of their first loss of the season. However, WashU responded in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns to take home a 27-17 victory.

For much of the first half, the Bears appeared poised for another comfortable victory. Senior quarterback Levi Moore opened the scoring in the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown pass to senior running back Matthew Kinoshita. Moore followed up with another pass to senior wide receiver Colin Donahue for an eight-yard score. Junior kicker Matias Adrogue nailed one extra point and had the other blocked, giving the Bears a 13-point edge. On the other side of the ball, WashU held the Wabash Little Giants scoreless through the first 30 minutes, and took a 13-0 lead heading into halftime.

But the second half told a different story. Off two interceptions from Moore and a fumbled punt return, the Little Giants capitalized on favorable field position and went on a 17-0 scoring run. For the first time this season, the Bears were at a deficit going into the fourth quarter, 17-13.

Despite the sudden shift in momentum, WashU regained its composure in the last quarter of the game. Moore connected with Donahue for a six-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead before WashU blocked a punt and set up sophomore running back Brayden Lewis for a 30-yard score, sealing the 27–17 victory.

While the offense delivered the decisive points, WashU’s defense and special teams proved equally instrumental. The Bears recorded six sacks and two interceptions while holding Wabash to just 74 rushing yards on 45 attempts. Special teams contributed two blocked kicks, including a fourth-quarter blocked punt by junior defensive lineman Ethan Venable that set up Lewis’ game-sealing touchdown. 

Lewis finished with 103 rushing yards on 16 carries, while Moore threw for 171 yards and three touchdowns despite his two interceptions.

The Bears will return home on Saturday, Oct. 31, to face Denison University during WashU’s Parent and Family Weekend, where they will have the opportunity to notch the program’s first-ever 8-0 start.