FOREST, Va. - The Washington and Lee University football team garnered 13 All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) honors while junior
Wesley Howenstein was named the Lineman of the Year, the ODAC announced on Tuesday afternoon.
The Blue and White finished the season with a 7-4 overall record, posting a 5-2 mark in ODAC play. The Generals were selected to play in the Cape Charles Bowl as part of the Chesapeake Challenge, where they defeated Lycoming College, 14-12, to hoist a trophy for the second straight season. W&L averaged 29.5 points per game while posting 416 yards of offense per contest. Their multi-faceted rushing attack gained 3,613 yards this season, averaging 316.9 per game. The Generals rushed for over 300 yards six times this season and eclipsed both 400 and 500 rushing yards in single games. They rushed for 423 yards against Guilford and posted the second-most rushing yards in a single game in program history with 589 yards against Averett. W&L's defense ranked second in the ODAC in four categories this season, including scoring defense, total offense allowed, rushing defense, and passing defense. They limited opponents to 19.3 points per game while allowing 301.4 yards per game. The Generals held opposing offenses to 120.7 rushing yards per game and just 180.6 passing yards per game. They registered 11 interceptions, 13 sacks, and 48 tackles for loss this season.
Howenstein anchored the Generals' offensive line, which produced a potent rushing attack and ranked as one of the best units in Division III this season. His performances helped him earn the Lineman of the Year award, becoming the first General to receive the distinction, while also garnering First Team All-ODAC honors for the first time in his career. Seniors Cailen Graham and Tucker Jacobsen both followed Howenstein on the All-ODAC Second Team. Graham secured his first All-Conference honor, while Jacobsen earned his second citation after being named to the First Team in 2023. As a unit, they helped the Blue and White rush for over 3,600 yards this season while averaging 316.9 yards per game, which ranked second in the country. The rushing attack averaged 5.7 yards per carry and found the end zone 37 times.
Senior Will Knight joined Howenstein on the All-ODAC First Team, earning his second straight citation and his first nod on the top team. Knight had an impressive senior season with the Blue and White, leading the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while adding 53 total tackles. Senior Malik Hardy was named a Second Team All-ODAC selection for the first time in his career after registering 37 tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack.
First-year Ryan Clemens earned his first All-ODAC honor after being selected to the Second Team. Clemens had a breakout rookie campaign for the Blue and White, rushing for 1,086 yards on 159 carries and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.8 yards per rush. Starting the final five games of the season, he rushed for over 100 yards in each contest, including a 223-yard, three-touchdown performance in a win over Roanoke that landed him on the D3football.com Team of the Week. He finished the season ranked 10th in Division III in rushing yards per carry (6.83) and 40th in rushing yards per game (98.7). Junior Teddy Sparrow joined Clemens on the Second Team for his first All-ODAC nod. Sparrow led the receiving corps with 14 catches for 340 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 24.3 yards per catch. He had two long touchdown receptions this season, including a 75-yard score in an upset win over No. 21/24 Hampden-Sydney and a 57-yard touchdown in a win over Gallaudet. Sparrow topped 60 receiving yards in two other contests, hauling in three passes for 63 yards against Salisbury and three catches for 72 yards against Bridgewater.
Sophomore linebacker Brennan Stout and senior linebacker Will Mahmud both garnered Second Team honors after leading the Generals' defense. Stout earned his first career honor after leading the team and ranking third in the ODAC with 116 total tackles, including 28 solo stops and three tackles for loss. He posted double-digit tackles in six games this season, highlighted by a career-high 21 tackles against Randolph-Macon. He finished the season ranked eighth in Division III in tackles per game (11.6) and ninth in total tackles. Mahmud was named an All-ODAC selection for the third straight season. He ranked second on the team with 81 tackles, including 23 solo stops, along with four tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions. Mahmud picked off passes in back-to-back games this season, including a game-winning interception in an upset win over No. 21/24 Hampden-Sydney.
Senior defensive back Alan Haigler rounded out the Second Team selections, earning his first All-ODAC citation. Haigler recorded 25 tackles this season, including 13 solo stops, while adding one interception and one pass breakup. Senior defensive back Jack Johnson secured his third straight All-ODAC honor, earning a Second Team citation. Johnson ranked third on the team with 64 tackles and 23 solo stops while registering one tackle for loss. He recorded a team-high two interceptions, broke up four passes, and forced a fumble during his final season with the Blue and White.
Junior quarterback Ty Collins was named to the All-ODAC Third Team for the first time in his career. Collins was 77-of-136 (57%) passing for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the first 1,000-yard passer for the Generals since Charlie Westfal '12 surpassed the milestone in 2011. Collins also was a threat on the ground, rushing 68 times for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He threw for over 100 yards in five games this season, including a career-high 228 yards in an overtime win over Bridgewater. Joseph Pizzo claimed the final honor for the Generals, garnering Third Team recognition for the first time in his career. Pizzo, a slot back and return man, carried the ball 29 times for 140 yards and a touchdown while catching five passes for 70 yards. He returned 12 punts for 64 yards and eight kickoffs for 175 yards, averaging 21.9 yards per return.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
