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Galesburg, Ill., September 3, 2011 – The Washington University in St. Louis football team posted a 28-10 win at Knox College in its 2011 season opener on Saturday afternoon at the Knosher Bowl in Galesburg, Ill.
Senior tight end Phill Stoecker caught six passes for 41 yards and three touchdowns in the win for the Bears. Sophomore running back John Hagemann carried the ball 14 times for a career-high 102 yards and a touchdown, as Washington U. grinded out 242 rushing yards. Junior running back Chris Castelluccio added 63 yards on nine carries for the Bears.
After a scoreless first quarter, Washington U. struck first as Hagemann scored from one yard out with 14:14 left in the second quarter to make it 7-0. The Bears took advantage of an interception by senior defensive back Marcus Shelby to set up their second score of the game. Junior quarterback Dan Burkett found Stoecker in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0.
Leading 14-3 in the third quarter, Washington University put the game out of reach with a pair of scores. Stoecker caught a three-yard touchdown pass from Burkett with 10:38 left in the third, and then junior quarterback Adam Banks found Stoecker for another three-yard score with eight seconds remaining in the quarter to make it 28-3.
Burkett was 11-of-20 for 104 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start, while Banks was efficient completing 4-of-5 passes for 40 yards and a TD. Washington University had 386 yards of total offense, but fumbled four times.
Washington U.'s defense limited Knox to 220 yards of total offense and forced two fumbles and had three interceptions. Sophomore defensive back Scott O'Brien led the defensive unit with eight tackles, including two for loss, and two interceptions. Senior linebacker Kyle Larkin added five tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
Washington University returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 10, for its home opener against Rhodes College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., at Francis Field. The game will be broadcast live on http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/wustl.portal#.
Bear Notebook: Washington University leads the all-time series with Knox College, 7-0-1 … The Bears are 18-5 in season openers under Kindbom … Senior center Joe Rhein made his 31st-consecutive start on Saturday … The 242 yards are the most in a game since November 7, 2009 against the University of Chicago (300 yards) … Washington U. was 4-for-4 in the red zone and 2-for-2 on fourth down.