Bears Fall at No. 21 Case Western Reserve, 35-27, in UAA Finale 
WU-CASE WESTERN BOX
Case Western Reserve (9-0, 3-0 UAA), which broke into the top 25 poll for the first time in the modern era history this week at No. 21, snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Bears and posted it first win over Washington U. since 1991. The loss also snapped the Bears’ 18-game winning streak when reaching the 21-point plateau.
Washington U.’s offense set the tone early as junior Buck Smith connected with senior Matt Koenigknecht on a 48-yard pass on WU’s first possession getting the ball down to the Case Western 27-yard line. Four plays later, sophomore Matt Glenn scampered in from 11 yards out for his 11th touchdown of the year to make it 6-0.
Luiz Goncalves intercepted Smith on the Bears next possession, setting up a 50-yard touchdown pass from Dan Whalen to Shaun Nicely to make it 7-6. Washington U. answered right back with a 10-play, 62-yard drive, capped by an eight-yard run by Glenn, as Washington U. regained the 12-6 lead. Smith then connected with senior Scottie Guthrie for the two-point conversion to extend the lead to 14-7 with 5:29 left in the first quarter
Washington U.’s defense forced a 3rd-and-17 on its own 33-yard line, when Whalen and Nicely hooked up again for a 33-yard touchdown pass to knot the score at 14-14. Smith was again intercepted late in the second quarter, and Case Western took advantage, as Corey Chekan scored from one-yard out with 35.6 seconds left to make it 21-14 at halftime.
The Bears had a 205-186 advantage in total offense in the first half, despite scoring 14 first quarter points on the UAA’s top scoring defense (12.1 ppg).
Washington U. took the opening kickoff in the third quarter 61 yards on 14 plays to knot the score at 21-21 after a one-yard run by Glenn. Smith was 4-for-5 for 45 yards during the scoring drive. The Bears defense, which entered the game ranked third in turnovers gained, took advantage of Case Western’s first turnover to score again.
Dan Whalen fumbled on is own 43-yard line on the ensuing possession, and senior Michael Elliott dove on it for the first takeaway of the game for the Bears. Two plays later, Smith hit Koenigsknect for a 34-yard touchdown pass to regain the 27-21 lead.
Whalen connected with Nicely for a 22-yard touchdown pass, and then Brian Calderone recovered a fumble on the next play and scampered 32 yards for the TD to push the lead to 35-27 with 3:33 remaining.
Freshman Jim O’Brien picked up a career-high 97 yards on 17 carries as Washington U. pounded out 155 yards on the ground. Smith finished the day 21-of-34 for 250 yards and one touchdown. Koenigsknect was Smith’s favorite target, catching five passes for a career-high 118 yards and a touchdown.
On the final play of the game, Washington U. received a punt deep in its own territory and lateraled twice before Case Western finally brought senior Bob Pine at the Case Western 12-yard line.
Washington University (6-3, 1-2 UAA) wraps up regular season play with a road game on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m., against Greenville College. |
