Chooldale Runs for Two Touchdowns as Washington Holds Off Pittsburgh
Riley Kade — JRSports One
Aaron Chooldale ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and Washington withstood a late push by Pittsburgh to beat the Artillery 38-32. The win moved the Regiment to 6-2 and dropped Pittsburgh to 1-6, and Washington led at the end of every quarter.
Washington took the lead for good in the first quarter. With 8:54 left, Chooldale ran four yards for a touchdown that made it 7-3. Pittsburgh's only lead had come earlier, on Mack Dollson's 32-yard field goal at 12:17.
The Regiment pulled away in the second quarter. Blake Stirlin threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Austin Kemley at 12:23 to make it 14-3, and Chooldale's 12-yard run at 9:41 pushed the lead to 21-3. Kyle Stison intercepted a Viktor Wurdorf pass in between and returned it 8 yards without a score. At 4:45, Andrew Thumman intercepted a pass from Miguel Biolales and returned it for a touchdown, cutting the margin to 21-10. Washington answered at 2:00 when Biolales hit Grant Mosmore for a 36-yard touchdown, and the Regiment led 28-10 at halftime.
Stirlin's three-yard pass to Caleb Bloockings at 11:06 made it 35-10, Washington's largest lead at 25 points. Pittsburgh came back with Fausto Soena's two-yard touchdown run at 6:24 to make it 35-17.
Pittsburgh scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. Wurdorf found Jesse Nacklin for a two-yard touchdown at 7:59, and the two-point conversion was good, making it 35-25. Chase Laid's 54-yard field goal at 4:14 pushed Washington back to 38-25. Wurdorf hit Adonis Nasoro for a two-yard touchdown at 2:32, and the extra point was good. That left the Artillery six points short.
Stirlin completed 22 of 27 passes for 260 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Chooldale carried 20 times for 145 yards and caught seven passes for 78 yards. Washington finished with 531 total yards to Pittsburgh's 317. Wurdorf completed 20 of 32 passes for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Soena ran nine times for 78 yards and a touchdown, and Nasoro caught six passes for 90 yards and a score.
Pittsburgh lost defensive tackle Ulises Tulena to an ankle sprain and he was ruled out for the game. Washington lost right tackle Riley Veardford and free safety Tanner Crostfield, both with high ankle sprains, and both are out for the game.
The result left Washington at 6-2 and Pittsburgh at 1-6.
