Football huddles in their loss to No. 1 North Central College earlier this season. Their loss to North Central is the lone blemish to their season thus far. (Jessi Szafoni | Contributing Photographer)

The WashU football team defeated conference opponent Elmhurst University in a watery waylay, 17-0, on Oct. 18. 

The Bears came into their sixth game of the season on a solid two-game win streak, looking to extend their momentum against the Bluejays. Historically, this matchup has resoundingly favored the Bears, who have won all seven of their games against Elmhurst in dominant fashion. 

However, with Saturday’s game taking place in the midst of a raging thunderstorm, the course of the game was unpredictable. 

Amid the forecast, head coach Aaron Keen primed his team for a rainy day. 

“We certainly prepared during the week of practice for wet conditions,” Keen wrote in a statement to Student Life. “Our players handled the uncertainty with a positive attitude.” 

WashU began the game with the ball, but quickly fumbled it on their own 12-yard line. With Elmhurst on the brink of taking its first-ever lead against the Bears, WashU’s secondary rose to the occasion, forcing the Bluejays to turn the ball over on downs.

That was as close as Elmhurst would get. Junior quarterback Levi Moore rallied the offense, as the Bears put together a masterful 80-yard drive in less than five minutes. The drive ended with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Moore to junior wideout Makael Carter, putting the Bears up 7-0.

On its next drive, Elmhurst managed an early first down before WashU’s defense clamped down, forcing a three-and-out and another Elmhurst punt. The Bears marched right back down the field for a quick field goal from sophomore kicker Matias Adrogue to end the first quarter. 

After another quick three-and-out by the Bluejays’ offense, the Bears refused to take their foot off the gas pedal. They began their next drive in optimal field position at their own 45. Senior running back Fred Ware put together a couple of quick bursts for a first down, which Moore followed up with a 45-yard rocket to sophomore receiver Lucas Blumenthal for the Bears’ second touchdown of the game. This put the squad up 17-0 with 9:53 left in the second quarter. 

Right after WashU’s score, a lightning delay occurred, pausing the game in the middle of Elmhurst’s drive. The delay lasted several hours, prompting both teams to agree to call the game after playing out the rest of the first half. 

WashU put up 304 yards of offense in just two quarters, while holding Elmhurst to only 41 yards. Moore looked phenomenal, going 10-11 for 124 yards and two touchdowns. The running back room was also sharp for the Bears’ offense, with junior running back Matthew Kinoshita leading the team in rushing yards with 83 on 12 carries, followed by Ware’s 58 yards on eight carries. Finally, senior linebacker Brady Willmer acted as the team’s defensive anchor, tallying six crucial tackles. 

“All of our players were extremely excited to play, and their enthusiasm showed up on the field,” Keen wrote in a statement to Student Life. “We played with a great spirit and good execution.”

Through wind, rain, and lightning, the Bears once again proved why they are a program built by grit and composure. The team, now sitting at an impressive 5-1, takes its momentum on the road, where it looks to extend its win streak in a big game against No. 22 Wheaton College this coming Saturday, Oct. 25.