Oct 05, 2024
LEXINGTON, Va. - Showing off in front of the home crowd on Parents and Family Weekend, the Washington and Lee University football team kicked off Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) play with their first shutout since 2022, blanking Averett University 35-0 at Wilson Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a 24-yard return on the opening kickoff by Wilson Axley, the Generals (2-2, 1-0 ODAC) marched 71 yards down the field on 14 plays, eating up eight minutes of the first quarter before scoring for a 7-0 lead. Anthony Crawford scooped up a miscue on the one-yard line and crossed the goal line for the touchdown.
- The Generals' defense forced a turnover on downs during Averett's (2-2, 0-1 ODAC) first drive, giving the Blue and White the ball back at their own 35-yard line. Crawford then capped off an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, putting W&L up 14-0.
- On the Cougars' third drive, Jacob Lemon fumbled on 2nd and 10, and Steve Tracanna jumped on the ball, setting up the Generals on the AU 32-yard line. Crawford ran through a few tacklers and found his way into the end zone from nine yards out, giving W&L a 21-0 lead with 1:19 left in the first half.
- Averett received the ball to start the second half, but after driving to the W&L 47-yard line, Brennan Stout dropped Brock Hoffman for a one-yard loss, forcing another AU punt. The Blue and White responded with a seven-play, 90-yard drive, capped off by a three-yard touchdown run from Axley, extending the lead to 28-0.
- After another turnover on downs by Averett, Crawford found the end zone for the fourth time of the night, sprinting 35 yards to secure a 35-0 shutout win for the Generals
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals improved to 2-2 on the season, claiming their first conference win of the season. W&L recorded its first shutout since Oct. 1, 2022, when they defeated Averett 31-0 on Parents and Family Weekend.
- The Blue and White registered 410 yards of total offense on 55 plays, producing 364 yards on the ground and 46 through the air. They have rushed for over 300 yards twice this season, eclipsing the 400-yard mark once against Apprentice. All five touchdowns came on the ground, as the Generals averaged 7.3 yards per rush on 50 attempts.
- Defensively, the Generals limited a Cougars' offense that had averaged 371 yards per game to just 155 yards. They shut down Averett's rushing attack, allowing only 83 yards on the ground and 72 yards through the air.
AU GAME NOTES
- The Cougars fell to 2-2 on the season, dropping their second straight game.
- Averett's offense struggled, managing just 155 total yards after averaging 371 yards of total offense coming into Wilson Field. The team rushed 31 times for a season-low 83 yards and struggled in the passing game, completing 12 of 26 passes (46%) for 72 yards, marking their worst aerial performance of the season.
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TOP PERFORMERS
- Quarterback Louie De Luliio completed six of 15 passes for a game-high 52 yards, while sophomore Ty Collins went five-for-five for 46 yards. Collins added 39 yards on the ground on eight carries.
- Sophomore running back Anthony Crawford led the Generals' rushing attack, carrying the ball 10 times for a career-high 92 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 9.2 yards per carry. Crawford's four touchdowns rank second in program history for both rushing and total touchdowns in a single-game.
- Senior Jacob Romero added 73 yards on 10 carries, while Marcus Payne gained 65 yards on three hand offs.
- Averett's Tavien Goffigan caught four passes for a game-high 27 yards, while Ian Evans led W&L with 25 yards on two catches.
- Anthony Brunelli of Averett and first-year Brennan Stout led all players with 10 tackles. Stout added one tackle for loss and a sack in the win. Senior Jalen Todd contributed six tackles, and senior Jerzee Allentini added five stops.
- Sophomore Gabe Joyner led the secondary with two pass breakups, while Todd, Jack Johnson, Connor O'Malley, Charlie Fleming, Steve Tracanna, Allan Gushue, and J.D. Matson each broke up one pass. Alex Verni led the team with two quarterback hurries in the win.
- Michael Fernandes was five-for-five on extra point attempts, while Wilson Axley returned two kicks for 44 yards.
UP NEXT
- The Blue and White welcome Hampden-Sydney College to Wilson Field next Saturday, Oct. 12 for a 1 p.m. match up. At halftime, the Generals will honor the six inductees to the W&L Athletics Hall of Fame.