Football | 10/24/2009 11:19:51 PM

Box Score [Box score]

GLENDALE, Calif. - Josh Riddell threw for 328 yards with three scores and Western Oregon took over the game in the second half to earn a 27-6 road victory over Azusa Pacific, Saturday (Oct. 24).

The win snapped a two-game slide for the Wolves (4-4, 2-2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) and gave the Cougars (1-8) their fourth consecutive loss.

After leading just 7-3 at halftime, the Wolves' refocused and outscored the Cougars 20-3 in the final two quarters. The offense posted touchdowns on their first two possessions of the third quarter as Riddell found Justin Ore and Sean Fullerton with long scoring plays. Just as importantly, the Wolves' running game picked up in the second half under Tirrell Thompson, who received all 12 of his carries in the second half and ran for 89 yards and a score.

Meanwhile, the Wolves' defense stepped up and shut the door on the Cougars' offense, allowing them just 29 yards in the second half. It held APU to just the one field goal after halftime and Andy Jackson picked off John van den Raadt's in the endzone ending Azusa's one second half redzone opportunity.

Riddell did not take kindly to having his 17-consecutive game streak with a touchdown pass snapped last week against Central Washington and responded with best game of his senior season. Ore was the main target for the WOU quarterback on the evening, as the duo hooked up five times for 113 yards and the 24-yard touchdown. Fullerton continued his outstanding senior season with four catches for 74 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year. The Wolves' 336 to 90 advantage through the air helped them average 6.2 yards per play and 19.8 yards per completion compared to 3.3 and 7.5 for Azusa.

Jackson and John Breza led a WOU defense which did not allow a touchdown for the second time this season. Breza was the team-leader with 11 tackles to go along with a Wolves' season-best 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. In addition to his goal line interception, Jackson made 10 stops (six solo) for his fourth multi-tackle game of the season.

The Wolves' offense was frustrated early as it mounted 118 passing yards to the Cougar's 31 in the first quarter but still found themselves trailing 3-0. It was not until the second quarter that the Wolves would get on the board, and take the lead for good, as Riddell found DJ Jackson on a third-and-goal pass from the nine yardline. The score would remain until halftime thanks in large part to Western Oregon cornerback Bryan Huber, who came through with an interception in the endzone to snuff out the Cougar's drive.

The Western Oregon football team will now return home as it closes out the 2009 season with two GNAC opponents. First Humboldt State will come to town for Homecoming, Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m. No. 2 Central Washington will then face off against the Wolves Nov. 7th at 1:00 p.m., in the regular season finale.