Cedar Rapids, Iowa, September 21, 2013 – No. 20 ranked Coe College limited Washington University in St. Louis to six first downs and 124 yards of total offense as the Kohawks posted a 10-0 win Saturday afternoon at Clark Field in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Coe, who entered the contest tops in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) in scoring defense (14.5 ppg), forced eight punts in the game and allowed the Bears inside the 20-yard line just one once. The Kohawks also had a pair of interceptions in the win and a 42:17-17:43 advantage in time of possession.
Senior defensive back Andrew Skalman led the Bears defensive unit with a career-high 10 tackles and a pair of interceptions, while senior defensive back Tate Byers added a season-high 10 stops and four pass break-ups. Senior Nelson Nwumeh made a career-high 10 tackles from his defensive end position for the third-straight game and leads the team with 30 tackles.
Washington U.'s defense allowed 424 yards of total offense on 94 plays, and forced thee turnovers in the loss. The 94 plays for Coe on offense were the second most in school history.
A scoreless first quarter saw the Washington U. defense limit the Coe offense to 82 yards on 21 plays and forced a turnover on downs and an interception. The Kohawks drove into WUSTL territory on both of its possessions in the opening quarter, but a 12-yard sack by junior linebacker Matt Goad on the opening possession and an interception by Skalman halted the second drive.
Coe drove down to the Bears 13-yard line on its next possession, but a botched snap resulted in a 22-yard loss after senior defensive linemanSeth Wight jumped on the ball for a fumble recovery.
With the Washington U. offense struggling to move the ball, Coe took advantage of a tired WUSTL defense for the lone touchdown of the game. A three-yard run by Gage Mohs capped a 10-play, 95-yard drive as the Kohawks got the on the scoreboard first to make it 7-0 with 5:52 left before half. The big play of the drive was a 45-yard screen pass from Josh Rekers to Mohs, which got Coe to the WUSTL 17-yard line.
Skalman made another big play just before halftime, which kept the score a seven-point game heading into the locker room. He picked off Rekers at the two-yard line and brought the ball out 14 yards to halt the drive. Skalman was thrown at most of the first half, making six tackles and had two interceptions.
Washington U. was limited to 88 yards total offense in the first half on 24 plays, and was held to four first downs. Coe had 276 yards of total offense in the opening half, but were hampered by three turnovers. The Kohawks also had a 21:27-8:33 advantage in time of possession.
Coe (3-0) pushed the lead to 10-0 with a 27-yard field goal by Wes Anderson with 8:07 left in the third quarter. With the offense continuing to struggle to move the ball, junior Alex Hodakowski replaced Daginella at quarterback late in the third quarter. Hodakowski saw action in one series and completed a pass for eight yards. Freshman QB J.J. Tomlinsaw his first action in the fourth quarter completing 2-of-7 passes for 13 yards and an interception.
Junior running back Zach Lonneman was the lone bright spot on offense running for 57 yards on 16 carries. Daginella was 5-of-19 for 40 yards and was picked off in the loss.
Washington U. (1-2) returns home to take on Centre College Saturday, Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. At halftime, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton will introduce current student-athletes as well as former letterwinners at halftime celebrating the 2012-13 athletics season. Wrighton will also honor 2013 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Shelby Jordanduring a halftime ceremony.
Bear Notebook: Washington U. and Coe met for the second time in school history … Sophomore punter Alec Stanke averaged 40.4 yards per punt and had a career-long of 61 … Coe was 9-of-22 on third down and 3-of-6 on fourth down.