While football’s efficiency propelled the team to an 8-3 season, a competitive conference kept them out of postseason play.

Sophomore quarterback Clark Stephens recorded his first win in football’s last regular season game against Carroll.

“Against good teams, you’ve got to come away with points in those situations — and maybe [then] the game’s different at halftime,” Keen said.

The Bears beat Augustana 49-28 to go 6-0 on the season. Next weekend, they play North Central, the number 1 team in the country.

After the team’s fifth win, the wide receiver sat down with Student Life to discuss his start as a quarterback, being a veteran in a group of young receivers, and rock climbing.  

Football won 56-21 in the team’s fourth game. “If we’re doing each individual job to the best of our [abilities], we go toe-to-toe with anybody,” Johnathan Smith said.

WashU beat Millikin 54-7 in their first conference matchup of the season.

“I was impressed with the way our defense handled themselves being a little bit more inexperienced,” head coach Aaron Keen reflected. “They played some really good football, so their growth is going to be key for us progressing.” 

“And right now, our identity is a high-energy football team that loves to get out there, loves to play — but also [that] knows that you have to be smart on the field. And so that combination of, just, pure enthusiasm and straight skill — that’s going to be deadly.” 

While the Bears did not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, they performed well in their final regular season game and will face the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in the first-ever Isthmus Bowl next weekend.