Heading into a week four contest with Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival No. 21 Hampden-Sydney College, the Washington and Lee football team needed a win.
They had just lost handily to the 24-6 perennial ODAC power Randolph-Macon College. In the process, they were outgained by nearly 200 yards on the ground. Given that the triple option is in many ways the Generals’ calling card, this statistical difference was a tough pill to swallow for the team.
Besides a 35-7 win against Guilford, the Generals had lost two of their first three games, including a frustrating 21-24 loss to Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Combined with their most recent loss to Randolph-Macon, the Generals were left staring at a bleak 1-3 record.
But with their backs against the wall, the team responded. Emphatically.
They put up over 42 points with 450 yards of offense for an eight-point win against Hampden-Sydney. In the process, Anthony Crawford, ’27, ran for over 100 yards and scored four touchdowns to earn ODAC offensive player of the week.
“After those three losses at the beginning of the season, each one of us had to take a look at ourselves and each other and make sure we weren’t taking the little things for granted,” said Will Knight, ’26, a captain on the team. “These little changes in practice allowed us to minimize mistakes on gameday, though we still have a lot of work to do as players here.”
Following the win against Hampden-Sydney, the Generals capitalized on their positive momentum with a 45-0 win against Gallaudet University at home. Now, the Generals have returned to 0.500 (3-3) on the season.
“Getting on the other side of the column is always great for morale,” Knight said. “But throughout the season, everyone has been working hard and been hungry to improve, win or loss.”
The team had a bye this past weekend. Cole Sheppard, ’28, the only defensive lineman with a strip sack this season, said the week would be advantageous to the team.
“It will give a chance for the starters who are constantly beat up from games to take a week and heal up a little bit,” Sheppard said. “It also gives us some time to hone in on our technique.”
Coming off the bye week, the team’s next game will be against Bridgewater College on Oct. 25, which is during Parents and Family Weekend.
Tucker Washburn, ’28, says three words encapsulate the team’s strengths. “Resilience, physicality, and belief.”
Washburn also said that the team has a solid dynamic.
“It’s a very close group that loves playing for each other, but also pushes everyone to play to our standards,” he said.
“It’s been a great group to spend time with every day for the past three months Knight said.
Looking beyond this season, the team feels good about the future and especially the first-year class. “There is just a lot of talent in this class, and I have no doubt that they will grow into great players in the ODAC in their time here,” said Knight.
Sheppard agreed. “They are working very hard, whether it comes to on the field or in the weight room. They are always trying hard in scout or team reps to get the other side of the ball ready as best they can,” he said.
Four different first-years have earned practice player of the week distinctions during the three weeks the award has been given this season.
After the game against Bridgewater, the team has just three games left on its regular schedule against Averett University, Roanoke College and Shenandoah University. The team will look to capitalize on its newfound momentum and finish the season strong.
