Oct 19, 2024
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Washington and Lee University football team picked up their third-straight win after defeating Guilford College, 40-23, on Saturday evening at the Armfield Athletic Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After receiving the opening kickoff, Guilford (3-3, 0-3 ODAC) marched down the field to the W&L seven-yard line. Brennan Stout came flying off the edge on 3rd and 4, bringing down Caleb Robles for a six yard loss. Adriano De Castro would knock down a 30-yard field goal to give the Quakers a 3-0 lead.
- On the Generals (4-2, 3-0 ODAC) opening drive, they marched 67-yards on 12-plays which was capped off by Jacob Romero three yard rushing touchdown but a missed extra point only gave the Blue and White a 6-3 lead.
- The Quakers had another long possession on their second drive, going 66-yards on 17-plays to put them up 9-6 after a missed extra point. Running Back Malik Woodard broke away from tacklers and found the endzone for a one-yard touchdown rush.
- Andrew Bland had one-on-one coverage on 4th and 2 on W&L's next drive, leaping over the defender to make an acrobatic grab and finding his way into the endzone for a 34-yard touchdown pass from Ty Collins.
- After receiving the ball to start the second half, Romero took a hand off and sprinted 50-yards down to the Guilford five yard line before punching it in from 5-yards out to put the Blue and White up 20-9.
- Guilford capped off a ten-play, 43-yard drive with Robles connecting with AJ Merriman for a 12-yard score to cut the deficit to four.
- The Generals' defense came up big on the Quakers' next drive, forcing a punt. Wilson Axleyreceived John Abernathy's punt and took it 33-yards to the endzone to give the Generals a 27-16 lead, the first punt return touchdown since Stuart Sitterson '09 scored on a punt return against Randolph-Macon in 2005.
- On the Generals second drive of the fourth quarter, Ty Collins took off on a designed run, sprinting 43-yards into the endzone to give the Blue and White a 34-16 lead with 7:15 remaining in the game.
- Robles rolled right on Guilford's next drive and overthrew his intended target, Jack Johnsonwas there to pick the pass off and return it 37-yards to the GC ten yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Burke Cigelske walked into the endzone untouched from ten yards out to give the Generals a 24 point lead.
- Guilford capped off the scoring on their last drive of the game, Robles connected with Jay Daniels for a 20-yard score to bring the score to 40-23.
W&L GAME NOTES
- The Generals move to 4-2 on the season with an undefeated record in conference play, winning their third straight game. W&L has now won five consecutive games against Guilford, improving to 23-14 in the all-time series.
- The Blue and White recorded 338 yards of total offense, averaging eight yards per play. The rushing attack played a pivotal role in the win, as W&L rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry on 35 attempts.
- The Generals' defense had one takeaway, intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter, while also registering four sacks—tying their season-high. The special teams unit contributed to the scoring with a 37-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter.
GC GAME NOTES
- The Quakers fell to 3-3, dropping their third straight game and starting the conference slate 0-3.
- Despite the loss, Guilford recorded a game-high 393 yards of total offense, including 244 passing yards. The Quakers scored twice through the air and added one touchdown on the ground.
- Guilford dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 42 minutes and converting 50% (9-of-18) of their third-down attempts. The Quakers were also efficient in the red zone, scoring on all four trips.
TOP PERFORMERS
- Caleb Robles of Guilford went 25-for-35 for 244 yards and two touchdowns in the loss, while also rushing for a team-high 67 yards. Ty Collins completed four of six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, adding a career-high 83 yards on the ground with one score.
- Jacob Romero led all rushers with 120 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards per carry. Andrew Bland caught a 34-yard touchdown pass, while Josh Garciahauled in a 42-yard reception.
- Jalen Todd spearheaded the defensive efforts with a career-high 22 tackles, including two sacks and two tackles for loss, marking back-to-back weeks with career-high performances. Brennan Stout recorded his fourth consecutive double-digit tackle game, adding 12 stops with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Charlie Fleming (8), Malik Hardy (6), Gabe Joyner (6), Fritz Nottebohm (5), and Daymon Lujan (4) also posted career-highs in tackles during the win.
- Wilson Axley contributed on special teams with four returns for 94 yards, including a 43-yard punt return for a touchdown.
UP NEXT
- The Generals are on the road for the second straight week, taking on Ferrum College at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.