Senior Jacob Wright rushed for a career-high 192 yards and two scores and the Bridgewater Eagles defense came up with a number of key stops in the fourth quarter as the Eagles rolled past Washington and Lee by a 24-13 score on Homecoming Saturday at the Jopson Athletic Complex.
Both defenses started off hot as each sequence of the first quarter ended in a punt, but the senior Jordan Hartman returned a Washington and Lee punt to the Generals’ four in the final moments of the first frame to setup the go-ahead score.
After a false start on the Eagles, Wright bulled to the one yard line before Ross Rushing hooked up with Keith Jennings on a drag pattern in the back of the endzone to hand Bridgewater a 7-0 advantage early in the second stanza.
On Washington and Lee’s ensuing drive, quarterback Charlie Nelson’s third-down pass was picked off in Generals’ territory by Sonny Romine.
Bridgewater moved the ball to the 29 yard line before settling for a Chandler DeHaven field goal attempt. DeHaven’s 46 yard boot missed wide to the right to keep the score at a 7-0 Bridgewater lead.
The Generals answered with a score to trim the deficit to 7-3 when Matt Underhill split the uprights from 26 yards to draw the Bridgewater lead to four points with six minutes remaining in the first half.
Following the Generals score, the Eagles had the final say in the opening half. Bridgewater turned to a heavy dose of Wright on the ground before the senior capped off a nine-play, 73-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown burst to push the Eagles out in front by a 14-3 tally with 86 ticks left on the first half clock.
Bridgewater’s defense forced a quick Washington and Lee three-and-out and the offense moved back into Generals territory before the half, but the Eagles couldn’t get back on the scoreboard as the contest went to the half with Bridgewater leading, 14-3.
Out of the intermission, Washington and Lee responded with a clock-chewing touchdown drive. The Generals capped off a 12-play, 73-yard drive with a Walker Brand four yard touchdown run on a reverse to draw the gap to 14-10. Washington and Lee’s scoring drive took nearly seven minutes off the third quarter clock.
Bridgewater answered with a lengthy scoring drive of its own. Quarterback Matthew Pisarcik connected withTyler Moneymaker on a 17-yard pattern to move the Eagles into Generals territory. Later in the drive, the tandem hooked up again on a 16-yard pattern to move the Eagles to the Washington and Lee 22. Four plays later, DeHaven split the uprights with a 33-yard field goal to push the lead back to seven at a 17-10 tally. DeHaven’s boot capped off a six-plus minute scoring drive for the Eagles.
The offensive slugfest continued as the game moved to the fourth quarter. Washington and Lee controlled the ball and converted four third downs on a 17-play, 56-yard scoring drive as an Underhill 29-yard field goal drew the Bridgewater lead back to four at a 17-13 margin. Washington and Lee’s scoring drive took over eight minutes off of the clock.
After an offensive exchange for both teams, Bridgewater effectively put the game away late in the fourth. Pisarcik converted a key third down with a five-yard strike to Moneymaker to set up the final score. Following the completion, Wright took the handoff off the right side of the line and raced 41 yards to the endzone to put the Eagles out in front, 24-13.
Washington and Lee’s comeback attempt was short-lived as Nelson’s pass on the first play of the next drive was intercepted by Darrick Gore to hand the Eagles an 11-point win, ending a two-game skid.
Wright’s career-high 192 yard game highlighted the day for the Bridgewater rushing attack as the Eagles rolled up 203 yards on the ground.
Through the air, Pisarcik and Rushing were exceptional all day. Rushing finished the day 9-of-13 for 113 yards and a score and Pisarcik added a 7-of-10 effort for 47 yards.
Jennings led the receivers with three catches for 56 yards and a score.
Defensively, linebackers Nicholas Anthony and Alex Collins led the way with 10 tackles each. The Eagles posted five tackles behind the line of scrimmage on the afternoon. Bridgewater’s defense also held the league’s top-rated rushing offense to 95 yards under its season average.
Washington and Lee was led on the ground by a 56-yard game from Marshall Hollerith.
Nelson struggled to a 2-of-12 effort for 37 yards. The sophomore was picked off twice.
Linebacker John Carrick posted 10 tackles in the loss.
Bridgewater outgained the Generals, 363-201.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday against conference-leading Hampden-Sydney for the home finale. Kickoff against the Tigers is set for 1 p.m.
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