With an opportunity to end a 13-season playoff drought, the Washington University football team had its season on the line against the University of Chicago on a windy Saturday afternoon at Francis Field.

A strong sense of confidence and pride could be felt at Francis Field Saturday as the Washington University football team put on a performance that head coach Larry Kindbom described as “impressive and thrilling.” Behind a resurgent offense and another solid defensive effort, the Bears roared past Case Western Reserve University, 29-0.

In a nail-biter in Conway, Ark., on Saturday, the Washington University football team survived a last-second Hail Mary attempt by Hendrix College for a 45-41 victory. With three seconds left, Hendrix completed a pass to the Bears’ one-yard line, but the Red and Green stopped the Warriors short of the end zone. With a three-game win streak and a record of 4-2, Wash.

Hibernation ended for the Washington University football team’s offense, which awakened from its season-long slump to put up 316 total yards and four touchdowns at Francis Field on Saturday, leading the Bears to a 31-14 victory over Centre College. The Red and Green improved to 2-2 on the season.

Karma seemed to favor the Washington University football team with second chances on Saturday at Francis Field in a 10-7 victory over Rhodes College. With a tied score of 7-7 at the end of the fourth quarter, the Red and Green found themselves in a close game against Rhodes for the second year in a row.

The sweet taste of revenge seemed so close for the Washington University football team early in the fourth quarter Saturday at No. 9 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. But in 10 minutes, the Bears’ visions of an upset were shattered by 17 unanswered Whitewater points, leading to a 17-7 loss in the season opener. A year ago, Wash. U. suffered a 34-0 to the then-No.

The Washington University football team was staring at a bleak 1-4 record halfway through the season, but coach Larry Kindbom remained confident in his team, and the Bears focused on improving each week, knowing they could still finish the season on a high note. On Saturday, Wash. U.’s focus and perseverance paid off against Case Western Reserve University.

Hoping to make their last home game of 2012 memorable, the Washington University football team brought the heat against Carnegie Mellon University this weekend, making the game into a physical showdown and holding a tight 9-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.