FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Washington and Lee University football team defeated Methodist University, 37-14, in a non-conference matchup on Saturday afternoon.
The Generals (2-1) recorded 331 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns to rout the Monarchs (1-2).
Alex Wertz (Sterling, Va./ Dominion) put up big numbers from the backfield for the second weekend in a row and led the Blue and White to victory. Wertz gained 150 yards on 32 rush attempts for an average of 4.7 yards per carry, and he found the endzone on three occasions, once in the opening stanza and twice in the third quarter.
Wertz also hauled in a 15-yard pass to match his game-long rush. He totaled 165 yards and the game marked the second straight week Wertz recorded 100+ yards and two or more touchdowns.
After a first series fumble, the Blue and White offense clicked and controlled the ball for just over 39 minutes of the contest and notched an 81-percent, third-down efficiency rating (13-of-16). The punt unit didn't see the field until the second half.
However, Methodist lit up the scoreboard first. A Generals' fumble on their own 7-yard line in the opening possession allowed Eaddy Tyquan to score for the home team and a 7-0 lead with 11:18 on the clock.
Wertz recorded the first touchdown off a 17-play and 75-yard series, scoring from the MU 3-yard line. The drive ate up 7:49 of play in the opening frame, but the extra point attempt was blocked by Methodist's Roderic Christian Jr. to keep the Monarch's up, 7-6.
W&L scored on both possessions in the second quarter. Aden Boyd punched in the ball from the same distance as the initial Blue and White touchdown. The pair of Generals' scoring drives sandwiched a MU touchdown with 1:55 remaining on the clock.
Stephen Murrin (Fort Worth, Texas/ Fort Worth Country Day) and the offense got to work in the two-minute drill and drove 80 yards to end the half with an Arturo Ramierz (Providence Village, Texas / Braswell) field goal from 23 yards out.
The Generals owned a 16-14 advantage at the break and did not allow the Monarchs to find the endzone in the entire second half.
The Blue and White time of possession continued to climb in the third quarter, in part due to going 3-for-3 on third downs. MU's two drives totaled just 3:35 of clock with eight plays for 26 yards.
Wertz completed his stat line out of the break with rushing touchdowns from three yards and one yard out, respectively.
Methodist was desperate to stop the bleeding but instead opened the final quarter with an interception on the third play of the series. A David Onyejekwe (Falls Church, Va. McLean) 11-yard interception return stifled the Monarch attack after two quick plays that resulted in 29 yards.
The Generals took advantage of the good position and marched downfield for the final touchdown of the day; a three-yard scamper from Abdullah Mohamed (Vienna, Va. / Justice).
The defensive unit was led by Jalen Todd's (Louisville, Ky. Kentucky Country Day) nine tackles. Jens Ames (Richmond, Va. / St. Christopher's) recorded the only sack in the game. Washington and Lee's defense held the Monarchs under 300 yards (73 rushing, 197 passing) and limited them to 44 percent (4-of-9) in third down efficiency. W&L did not allow a fourth down conversion all afternoon.
The Blue and White triple-option notched 399 total yards. First-year wide receiver Dryden Duggins (Baton Rouge, La. / Episcopal) led the air attack with two receptions for 35 yards.
The squad has a bye week and will return to action on Saturday, October 1, in Lexington. The Generals and Averett, new to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, kick off at 3 p.m.
