/seasons/2017/contrib/20170923sswzmp

Second-Half Rally Falls Short for WashU at Wartburg

More news about: Washington U.

Waverly, Iowa, Sept. 23, 2017 – The Washington University in St. Louis football team battled back from a 21-point second quarter deficit but fell short in a 30-20 loss at Wartburg College Saturday in Waverly, Iowa. 

Wartburg remained undefeated at 3-0 with the win, while WashU fell to 1-3. The Bears are off to a 1-3 start for the first time since 2014.

WashU limited Wartburg to a season-low 389 yards of total offense, including 185 in the second half. Junior linebacker Jake Coon made a season-high 12 tackles, and had two tackles for loss.

Sophomore quarterback Johnny Davidson was 28-of-52 for a career-high 379 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off three times. The Bears totaled 394 yards of offense in the second half.

Senior wide receiver Marcus Ramspott tied a career-high with 10 catches for 110 yards, while junior wide receiver Alex Fehlinger had two catches for 103 yards and a TD. Fehlinger hauled in his first career touchdown, a 73-yarder, midway through the fourth quarter.

Wartburg jumped out to a 21-0 second quarter lead as WashU managed just 74 yards of total offense in the opening half. Sophomore running back Seth Kutter scored from one-yard out with 27 seconds left in the second quarter to trim the lead to 21-7.

Senior kicker Dan Kalvaitis booted a pair of field goals – 34 and 39 yards – in the third quarter to cut the lead to 21-13.

Wartburg took a 24-13 lead into the fourth quarter, and sealed the victory after JoJo McNair intercepted Davidson and returned it 80 yards for the touchdown.

Sophomore linebacker Jarrod Huther returned from an injury to make 11 tackles, while senior defensive back Andrew Ralph added tied a season-high nine tackles and had two sacks.

WashU hosts No. 5-ranked North Central College (3-0) on Saturday, Sept, 30, at 1 p.m. This marks the Bears' fourth home game in the month of September.

BEAR NOTEBOOK: The teams met for the first time in school history … Wartburg had a 38:58-21:02 advantage in time of possession … Sophomore running back John Fisher ran for a career-high 57 yards on eight carries … WashU had its five-game regular-season road winning streak snapped … The Knights have won 18 of their last 19 home games.

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