LEXINGTON, Va. - The Washington and Lee University football team will wrap up their 2024 campaign in Salem, Va. on Saturday as they take on Wilkes University in the second Cape Henry Bowl at 1 p.m. at Salem Stadium.
Game Information:
When: Saturday, November 23rd, 2024
Where: Salem, Va.
Stadium: Salem Stadium
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Gameday Forecast:
Gameday Links: Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
Series History:
The Generals and Colonels will face each other for only the second time in program history on Saturday afternoon, marking their first match up since 2006.
In their previous meeting, Wilkes jumped out to an early 21-0 lead in the first quarter and cruised to a 42-0 victory in the first round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. Wilkes amassed 387 yards of total offense, including a game-high 284 yards on the ground. Meanwhile, W&L was held to 141 total yards, with 169 through the air and -28 on the ground.
Scouting the Colonels:
The Colonels posted a 7-3 record this season, including a 5-1 mark in Landmark play, finishing second in the conference and securing a top seed in the Chesapeake Challenge. After starting the season 1-2, Wilkes won four consecutive games before falling to then-No. 7 Susquehanna, 48-21. They closed out the regular season with decisive victories over Catholic (40-15) and Moravian (47-28).
In the win against Moravian, the Colonels recorded 440 yards of total offense, including 320 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. Despite their offensive success, Wilkes allowed 343 yards of total offense, including 316 passing yards, but limited Moravian to just 27 rushing yards. Quarterback Xaviar Powell completed 9 of 19 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown while adding 153 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Elijah Jules led the rushing attack with 159 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Defensively, Leroy Marshall tallied seven solo tackles and an interception, while Angel Ramos recorded a game-high two sacks. Three other Colonels contributed 2.5 tackles for loss in the win.
Wilkes is averaging 39.7 points per game and has outscored opponents 397-262 this season. Offensively, the team is producing 425.6 yards per game, showcasing a balanced attack with 211 rushing yards and 214.6 passing yards per game. The Colonels have found the end zone more frequently on the ground, scoring 29 rushing touchdowns. Powell has completed 128 of 229 passes (56%) for 1,917 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also throwing eight interceptions. The dual threat QB has also rushed for 565 yards and five touchdowns. Jules has been the team's primary rusher, carrying the ball 203 times for 1,289 yards and 20 touchdowns, the most in Division III this season. He also ranks 17th nationally in all-purpose yards, averaging 143.5 per game. Devin Higgins leads the receiving corps with 30 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, Tallen Murray leads Wilkes with 80 total tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Angel Ramos has been a standout with 14.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and one forced fumble.
Scouting the Generals:
The Blue and White are coming off a 28-21 loss to Shenandoah University on Saturday. The Generals fell behind 21-0 in the first half but mounted a strong second-half comeback, ultimately falling short when a failed onside kick sealed the win for the Hornets. Ty Collins completed 5 of 10 passes (50%) for 67 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while leading the Generals' rushing attack with 77 yards on 13 carries and a rushing touchdown. Defensively, Jalen Todd paced the team with 15 tackles, including five solo stops, while Will Mahmud recorded a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss and nine total tackles.
W&L is averaging 29.2 points per game through ten contests, outscoring opponents 292-196. The Blue and White offense generates 368.2 yards per game, including an impressive 287 rushing yards per game. They have totaled 2,870 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns on the ground this season. Collins has completed 60 of 100 passes (60%) for 812 yards, eight touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding 404 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Jacob Romero leads the rushing attack with 972 yards on 180 carries and 10 touchdowns, leaving him just 28 yards shy of his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. Andrew Bland has been Collins' top receiving target, catching 16 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.69 yards per reception.
The Generals' defense has been solid, allowing just 19.6 points per game and 322.4 yards per game over ten games. The unit has recorded 15 takeaways this season, including 10 interceptions and five fumble recoveries, along with 21 sacks and 51 tackles for loss. Todd leads the defense with 115 tackles, including 34 solo stops, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Will Mahmud is having a standout senior season with a team-high 11 tackles for loss and six sacks, in addition to 61 total tackles. Connor O'Malley has a team-best three interceptions, while Charlie Fleming has two interceptions and leads the team with seven pass breakups.
National Statistical Rankings:
The Blue and White's multi-faceted rushing attack continues to be one of the best in the nation, ranking 5th after 11 weeks with an average of 287 yards per game. The offensive line has been pivotal to this success, excelling not only in facilitating the run game but also in protecting quarterback Ty Collins. They have allowed just 0.70 sacks per game, which ranks 13th in Division III this season. Additionally, the W&L offense ranks 14th in fourth-down conversions with a 69.7% success rate and 28th in tackles for loss allowed, averaging only 5.1 per game.
Individually, senior Jacob Romero ranks 38th in total rushing yards (972), 41st in rushing yards per game (97.2), and 63rd in rushing yards per carry (5.49). On the defensive side, senior Jalen Todd remains one of the nation's premier tacklers, ranking 6th in total tackles (115) and tackles per game (11.5).
Around the ODAC:
Washington and Lee and Shenandoah are the only ODAC teams in action this week as Randolph-Macon received a bye in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Yellow Jackets will take on Washington & Jefferson on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Noon in Ashland. Shenandoah will take on Moravian in the Cape Charles Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. following the W&L v. Wilkes game at 1 p.m.