Brett Frongillo

The College of Wooster dug itself a 17-0 hole in the first quarter at Washington University-St. Louis, then dug out of it, pulling within three by halftime, but the host Bears went on to a 24-20 victory during Saturday afternoon's non-conference match-up in St. Louis, Mo.

Washington-St. Louis (3-3) accounted for the game's first points on a Eric Chalifour 24-yard field goal at the 5:05 mark of the first quarter, then scored again eight seconds later when Wooster (2-4) fumbled the ensuing kickoff and it was brought in for an 11-yard touchdown by Chris LaBarge.

Two offensive plays later, the Fighting Scots fumbled it again and the Bears turned that into an eight-play, 33-yard touchdown drive, with Trevor LaBarge, the younger brother of Chris, carrying it in from one yard out to put the Bears up by 17 within a four-minute span of the quarter.

Wooster settled down and would score the next 14 points, keyed by long pass plays during the second period. First, Jordan McIntyre went for 64 yards on a pass from Brett Frongillo to set up a one-yard touchdown rush by Frongillo at the 12:35 mark. Late in the quarter, one play after the Scots defense forced a turnover on downs, Frongillo connected with Zack Weidrick for a 54-yard touchdown pass to pull within 17-14. It marked the junior wide receiver's first career score.

During the third quarter, Washington-St. Louis controlled the tempo, hanging on to the ball for more than 10 minutes, and on the first play of the fourth, Trevor LaBarge pushed it across from one yard out again to cap a 14-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that ate up 7:41 of the clock.

Trailing 24-14, Wooster responded right away with Frongillo repeatedly finding Cameron Daniels through the air. Of the six play, 60-yard series, three passes went to Daniels for 18, 30, and 10 yards, including the last one being a touchdown. The point after attempt was blocked, which put the Scots deficit at four points with 12:43 remaining.

Wooster would only get one more offensive possession and it began pinned back at its own one-yard line. The Scots gained two first downs to get out to the 40, but eventually turned it over on downs. Then, the Bears gained a pair of first downs to run off the final 3:16.

Statistically, Wooster outgained Washington-St. Louis 377-343, but the difference may have been the hosts converting 11-of-20 third downs and owning the possession for 38:45.

Frongillo, making his third career start at quarterback, performed well for the Scots as he completed 16-of-29 passes for 240 yards. Weidrick was his top target with four catches and 88 yards, while Robert Flagg went for a season-high 83 yards on 11 carries.

Washington-St. Louis received a career-high 106 rushing yards from Chris Castelluccio to key the win.

Wooster will play its home finale next Saturday against Case Western Reserve University (5-1) at 1 p.m.