WAUKESHA, Wis. – In a game filled with explosive plays, momentum swings, and standout individual efforts, Carroll University went toe-to-toe with one of the CCIW's top programs before falling 41-29 to Washington University on Saturday afternoon at Schneider Stadium.
The Pioneers (0-2, 0-1 CCIW) showcased grit and offensive firepower against a WashU squad that was coming off a huge shutout win in their opener. Carroll led 29-27 midway through the third quarter and held a 23-17 edge in first downs, but the Bears (2-0, 1-0 UAA) responded with two late touchdowns to escape with the win.
Carroll's offense racked up 361 total yards and controlled possession for nearly 36 minutes. Running backs Mikey Coleman and Carson Crouch combined for 164 rushing yards and three touchdowns, with Coleman scoring twice in the first quarter and finishing with 106 all-purpose yards. Quarterback Elisha Nieves threw for 184 yards on 19-of-35 passing. Reed Breckheimer and Daniel White led the receiving corps with 152 combined yards, including a 41-yard strike to White in the first quarter.
The Pioneers also made noise on special teams. Drake Emanuel returned a blocked extra point at the close of the first quarter, and kicker Matthew Swink drilled two field goals to keep Carroll within striking distance.
Defensively, Emanuel led the way with 10 tackles and two pass breakups, while Braedon Curtin added nine stops and a tackle for loss. Carroll's defense forced multiple third-down stops and held WashU to just 4.8 yards per play.
WashU quarterback Levi Moore accounted for 329 total yards and four touchdowns, as he showcased his talent throughout this game. WashU also had a 98-yard kickoff return by Makael Carter, which was an explosive play of their own. Drew Bomar also had two touchdown receptions from Moore, showcasing the Bears aerial attack as well. The Bears capitalized on a Carroll fumble deep in Pioneer territory and added a fourth-quarter touchdown to seal the win.
Despite the loss, Carroll's performance against a top-tier opponent highlighted the program's growth and potential from their opener. The Pioneers return to action next Saturday with a road trip to #18 Wheaton in Illinois, looking to build on the positives from a hard-fought home opener as they take on yet another challenging foe.
