Oct 26, 2024
FERRUM, Va. - The Washington and Lee University football team rushed for a season-high 477 yards en route to a 34-0 shutout win over Ferrum College on Saturday afternoon at W.B. Adams Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After receiving the opening kickoff, the Generals (5-2, 4-0 ODAC) marched 75 yards in seven plays to open the scoring. Ty Collins connected with Evan Novak for a 40-yard strike on 2nd and 12, and Jacob Romero followed with a 21-yard touchdown run.
- The next few drives for both teams stalled due to punts and an interception, but the Blue and White capitalized on a nine-play, 84-yard drive to go up 14-0. Anthony Crawford sprinted 30-yards to the end zone for his first touchdown of the day, giving the Generals a two-score lead.
- Following a 3rd and 10 stop by Jack Johnson and Jalen Todd, the W&L offense drove 80 yards in 11 plays, with Romero scoring his second touchdown from five yards out, extending the lead to 21-0.
- In the third play of the second half, Connor O'Malley intercepted Zach Wyatt, setting up the Generals with favorable field position. However, Collins fumbled on the Ferrum 20-yard line, halting their drive.
- After forcing a punt on Ferrum's next drive, Romero scored his third rushing touchdown of the game on a one-yard run, capping off a nine-play, 90-yard drive to put the Generals up 28-0.
- W&L's next drive stretched into the fourth quarter, capped by a three-yard touchdown from Crawford at the end of a 13-play, 83-yard drive to increase the lead to 34-0.
- With 2:12 remaining, Ferrum aimed to get on the board, but Israel Rivers intercepted Brent Peja's pass and returned it 16 yards, sealing the Generals' shutout victory.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals move to 5-2 on the season with a perfect 4-0 record in conference play, winning their last four games since the bye week.
- The Blue and White amassed 563 yards of total offense in the win, including 477 rushing yards and five touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry on 69 attempts. The passing game contributed with five completions for 86 yards, averaging 17.2 yards per completion. The offense controlled possession for 41 minutes, earned 25 first downs, and scored three times in the red zone.
- Defensively, the Generals stifled the Panthers' offense, allowing only 163 total yards — 82 on the ground and 81 through the air — while also recording two interceptions and one sack.
FC GAME NOTES
- Ferrum falls to 3-4 on the season and 1-3 in conference play. The Panthers' offense struggled to gain momentum, producing a season-low 183 total yards and being held scoreless for the first time this season.
- The team managed only 82 rushing yards and 81 passing yards, hindered by six penalties and two interceptions. The Panthers were forced to punt eight times, averaging 44.2 yards per punt.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Ty Collins completed 4-of-6 passes for 79 yards with one interception in the win, adding 71 yards on the ground. Ferrum's Zach Wyatt completed 50% of his passes (10-of-20) for 81 yards with one interception.
- Jacob Romero led the Generals' rushing offense, amassing 143 yards on 19 carries and scoring three touchdowns. Anthony Crawford added a career-high 117 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns.
- Evan Novak paced the receiving corps with two catches for 71 yards, including a 40-yard grab. Andrew Bland, Ian Evans, and Aden Boyd also contributed catches for the Blue and White.
- Defensively, Jalen Todd led with eight tackles, including two solo stops, 0.5 sacks, and 0.5 tackles for loss. Uno Christopher posted a game-high 1.5 tackles for loss, while Will Mahmudand Charlie Fleming each had one. Connor O'Malley and Israel Rivers both recorded interceptions in the win.
UP NEXT
- The Generals will welcome 24th-ranked Randolph-Macon College to Wilson Field on Saturday, Nov. 2. The top two teams in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) will square off a 3 p.m. with hopes of claiming the 2024 ODAC Crown.