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WashU Falls Short in SAA Opener at No. 19 Centre 34-24

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Danville, Ky., Sept. 19, 2015 – The Washington University in St. Louis football team was limited to three points in the second half as the Bears suffered a 34-24 loss at No. 19 Centre College in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) opener for both teams Saturday at Farris Stadium in Danville, Ky.

Centre improved to 3-0 (1-0 SAA) with the win, while WashU fell to 1-1 (0-1 SAA).

Junior quarterback J.J. Tomlin was 35-of-57 through the air for 301 yards with a touchdown, while junior wide receiver Hank Childs caught a career-high 13 passes for 109 yards.  The 57 passes attempted by Tomlin was a school record. WashU's offense totaled 456 yards of total offense, but turned the ball over two times.

WashU's defense allowed a season-high 590 yards of total offense, including 353 yards on the ground.

Senior defensive back Quincy Marting made a career-high 14 stops and recorded his Division III leading third interception of the year, while sophomore DB Nick Doctors added a career-high 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble return. Senior DB Dylan Petre added a career-high 10 stops, while sophomore defensive lineman Garris Goe added a season-high eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

A seven-yard touchdown strike from Tomlin to senior wide receiver Matt McCareins tied the contest at 7-7 with 10:12 left in the first quarter. Centre scored twice to bump the lead to 21-7, but a pair of touchdowns by senior running back Cody Ratermann tied the score at 21-21 with 5:03 left before half.

Centre bounced right back to take the lead for good with 1:29 to play before half after Nolan Coulter scored from 24 yards out. Coulter finished the day with 141 yards rushing on 19 carries, while Amoh Kumengisa had 150 yards on 17 carries.

WashU's offense punted on four of its seven possessions in the second half, coming away with just three points on a 20-yard field goal by senior Alex Hallwachs with 2:19 left in the third quarter.

Trailing 34-24 with less than three minutes to play, WashU drove down to the Centre three-yard line. After a no gain by Ratermann on the first play, Centre forced three incomplete passes to seal the win.

Junior running back Austin Smestad ran for 87 yards on 11 carries, while Ratermann picked up 66 yards on 16 carries. The Bears had success running the football against Centre, totaling 155 yards on 30 attempts (5.2 average).

WashU returns home to host Birmingham Southern College Saturday, Sept. 26, at 1 p.m.

BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with Centre 10-9-1, but the Colonels have won the last two meetings … The Bears have lost seven-straight road games dating back to 2013 … Senior right guard Ben Lake made his 23rd-straight start, while Marting was in the starting lineup for the 21st-straight contest.

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
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Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
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