ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Carroll's football team opened their 2024 conference season Saturday afternoon with a 35-7 loss at WashU. The Pioneers limited WashU to 128 passing yards, but the Bears gained 232 on the ground (6.4 ypc) to set the tone for the day. Carroll finished with 166 yards of total offense, including 103 on the ground.

WashU (2-0, 1-0 CCIW) broke a scoreless tie with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter when Levi Moore found Fred Ware for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Two minutes later, the Bears were in the end zone again, on a 14-yard TD pass from Grant Hajicek to John Benke. They would add another touchdown just before halftime on a one-yard TD plunge by Kenneth Hamilton, capping a 7-play, 32-yard drive.

The Bears continued to score in the second half when Brett Kerserneier intercepted a pass at Carroll's goal line, scoring on a pick-six. The Pios' lone score came with 10 and a half minutes remaining in the contest when Mikey Coleman found paydirt from three yards out to cap a five-play, 22-yard drive. One minute later, WashU would cap the scoring on a 31-yard scamper by Moore.

Marcus Johnson led Carroll (1-1, 0-1 CCIW) with 45 yards on nine carries (5.0 ypc), including a long of 28, while Coleman and Jaxon Case finished with 26 and 24 yards on the ground, respectively. Defensively, Will Campbell led the Pios with eight tackles. Carroll also recovered one fumble on the day.

WashU was led by Hamilton's 92 yards on 13 carries (7.1 ypc), while Collin Goldberg led the Bears in receiving with game-highs of seven receptions for 57 yards. The WashU defense recorded a sack, while also recovering one fumble and intercepting a pass.

After playing the role of 'road warriors' early this season, Carroll's football team will play in front of their home fans at the friendly confines of Schneider Stadium next weekend for the first time this season. That game will begin Saturday at 1 p.m. in Waukesha against 18th-ranked Wheaton (IL) College.