LEXINGTON, Va. – Senior running back Anthony Carter racked up 289 yards of total offense and scored three times, but the Bridgewater Eagles football team couldn't overcome a number of dropped passes and an interception late in the third quarter in a 52-42 loss to the Generals in Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) action at Wilson Field.

The two teams combined for nearly 1,100 yards of total offense on the day.

After receiving the opening kick, Washington and Lee scored on its first offensive possession when Charlie Westfal connected with Brett Murray from 19 yards out to put the Generals up 7-0 with 12 to play in the first quarter.

Following a 56-yard return from sophomore Cliff Woodard which set the offense up with good field position inside the Generals 30, Carter punched the ball in from three yards out to knot the game up at 7-7 with 9:18 left in the first.

Washington and Lee made the most of a defensive hold on the previous Eagles drive when a 10-play, 90-yard drive was capped off by a two -yard Luke Heinsohn touchdown run to put the Generals ahead 14-7 with 12:54 to play in the opening half.

On Bridgewater's ensuing drive, the Eagles marched inside the Generals 32 before things stalled out forcing a fourth down decision. On fourth down, Carlos Gonzalez tossed a jump ball to Leigh Bradley and the 6-1 senior came down with the ball to knot the game at 14-14 with nine-and-a-half minutes left in the second quarter.

Washington and Lee marched deep into Bridgewater territory on back-to-back possessions, before putting the ball back in the endzone on a Brett Murray three-yard scamper to put the Generals back ahead by a 21-14 score with 3:32 left in the first half.

Bridgewater again answered the Generals score with one of its own when Willie Logan came in behind center and took an option keeper to the endzone from six yards out to knot the game at 21 each with 72 ticks to play in the first half.

Following the Eagles score, Washington and Lee quickly moved into Bridgewater territory before settling for a 28 yard field goal which split the uprights to give the Generals a 24-21 lead with 30 seconds to play in the half.

After the Generals score, Bridgewater moved inside Washington and Lee territory before a 42 yard Will Davis field goal came up short as time expired to give the Generals a 24-21 halftime advantage.

Washington and Lee outgained Bridgewater by a 340-to-226 showing in the first 30 minutes, including a 221-to-80 yard disparity on the ground.

Bridgewater received the opening kick and quickly took the lead for the first time on the day when Carter scooted 51 yards to paydirt to put the Eagles ahead 28-24 early in the third stanza.

Both teams settled in until late in the third when Westfall connected with Murray again, this time from 32 yards out to put the Generals ahead 31-28 as the game headed to the final quarter.

Out of the quarter break, Carter fired a pass to Nick Wimer and the ball was juggled before being intercepted by John Beriont to stall out a promising Eagles drive.

Washington and Lee made the most of the turnover, marching 80 yards on 10 plays before a Westfal keeper put the Generals up 38-28 with under 10 minutes left to play.

But the Eagles wouldn't go down without a fight. On the ensuing Bridgewater possession, Carter bolted 64 yards to paydirt to go over 200 yards on the day, keeping the Eagles in the game at a 38-35 tally midway through the final stanza.

Following the Bridgewater score, the Generals marched into Eagles territory again before an eight yard Russell Stewart carry went the distance to put the Generals up 45-35 with four-and-a-half minutes left.

Bridgewater kept the see-saw battle rolling when they responded yet again when the tip drill came in to play on a pass from Gonzalez. The 21-yard pass from Gonzalez was intended for Darrin McKenzie and was tipped into the waiting arms of Cord Keating and the junior walked into the endzone to bridge the gap at a 45-42 tally with three and change to play.

Washington and Lee put the nail in the coffin with a Westfal keeper to push their lead to 52-42 with two minutes remaining.

Bridgewater had the ball with under two minutes left but an interception on the final drive for the Eagles ended the game, giving the Generals a 52-42 victory.

Carter was outstanding on the afternoon rushing for a game-high 233 yards on 25 carries. The West Park, Fla. Native scored three times on the day and also hauled in three passes for 56 yards. Bridgewater rushed for 251 yards on the afternoon.

Through the air, Gonzalez was solid throwing for 233 yards on 16-of-28 passing.

On the receiving end, Bradley led the way with four catches for 64 yards and a score.

Defensively, linebacker Salem Nganga paced the Eagles with 10 tackles, while Jeff Mehlhaff and Chris  Wholey chipped in nine tackles a piece in the loss.

Washington and Lee was led on the ground by a trio of backs who went over the century mark. Heinsohn led the way with 138 yards on 20 carries. The Generals rushed for 444 yards on the afternoon.

Through the air, Westfal was impressive throwing for 162 yards and two scores on 11-of-15 passing.  

Murray led the way on the receiving end with five catches for 74 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Rob Look and Jake Pelton paced the way with 11 tackles each.

Bridgewater is back in action on Saturday, October 29 when the team heads to Emory & Henry for a showdown with the Wasps. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.