Football | 10/31/2009 6:04:24 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Oregon's offense scored a season-best 31 points and Josh Riddell threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns as the Wolves earned a 31-28 win on Homecoming over Humboldt State, Saturday (Oct. 31).

This was the second consecutive win for the Wolves (5-4, 3-2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) as they guaranteed themselves at least a .500 record. The loss gave the Lumberjacks (4-5, 0-5) their first back-to-back losses of the season.

Miguel Gonzalez once again came up with a crucial late game play to preserve a Wolves' victory. With WOU leading by three and only 15 seconds remaining, Humboldt State threw the ball to the endzone against man-coverage, but the pass was a little underthrown and Gonzalez picked off his team-leading fourth pass.

This was just one in a game defined by big plays as the two teams combined for nine plays of over 30 yards and 13 of over 20. The Wolves' offense totaled 413 yards of offense but they were matched every step of the way by the Lumberjacks, with 475 yards of their own. However, WOU was able to diversify its attack better with 89 yards on the ground and 324 through the air.

Riddell recorded his second straight 300-plus, three touchdown game as he completed 25-of-40 passes to eight different receivers. Sean Fullerton led the way with six grabs for 96 yards and his sixth touchdown reception of the season. DJ Jackson had 118 yards all-purpose yards, with 92 yards rushing and four receptions for 26 yards. He was also a workhorse out of the backfield, as he received 15 of the Wolves 21 carries.

But despite their easy to move the ball, WOU found itself trailing 28-24 entering the fourth quarter.

With the pressure on, the Wolves marched down the field with a 12-play, 68-yard drive and took the 31-28 lead on a five-yard DJ Jackson touchdown run. On the drive, WOU was 3-of-4 on third-down and HSU committed a decisive offsides penalty on fourth down to keep the drive alive.

"Our offense was extremely good today and set the tone early," head coach Arne Ferguson said. "We were very good throwing the ball today, especially on third-down."

The score did not faze the 'Jacks who took the ball right back at WOU and marched to the Wolves' 15 to set up an opportunity for a game-tying field goal with just seven minutes remaining. However, the 32-yard attempt was pushed right by HSU's kicker and WOU maintained the lead.

Western Oregon then went nearly exclusively to Jackson on the ground as he rushed for 44 of his 92 yards the fourth quarter and WOU took the clock down to 2:33.

After a Scott Buche punt, Humboldt State had one more chance to tie or take the lead with a final drive. The Jacks marched the ball 45 yards, in just over two minutes, to the Wolves' 29 yardline. Then on third-and-7, Mike Proulx's pass fell to the ground and brought up what looked to be fourth down but a late flag on Gonzalez for defensive holding away from the ball gave HSU a new set of downs at the WOU 19. Redemption however came very quickly for the senior cornerback, as he picked off a pass on the next play to preserve the 31-28 victory.

"This was the second pivotal interception Miguel has come up with when the game was on the line," said Ferguson. "We feel that if we are in the game our offense and defense will come through."

The game looked like it as going to be a shootout early as WOU scored on its first two possessions and HSU its first, as the game was 14-7 just 6:13 in. The Wolves were able to move the ball so quickly thanks to a long reception by Fullerton and a 49-yard scoring strike from Riddell to Justin Ore.

Western Oregon would find paydirt one more time on a 30-yard, third-and-18 yard strike to Tirrell Thompson and added on a field goal before the half to take a 24-19 lead into the locker room. The third quarter was nearly the demise of the WOU as it recorded just two first downs while HSU put nine points on the board to take a lead into the fourth quarter setting up the late game dramatics.

"You have to give Humboldt State credit," Ferguson explained. "They have a very good receiver and their quarterback was athletic and accurate, and made things happen with his feet."

This was the third GNAC victory this season by a combined five points for WOU. "I can't put enough emphasis on the parity in this league," continued Ferguson. "The GNAC is better than people think and if you don't show up to play, you will lose."

"I look forward to one or maybe even two GNAC teams having the opportunity to represent this league going forward in the playoffs," noted Ferguson. "Central Washington defeated West Texas A&M after leading 31-0 at the half and West Texas A&M recently knocked off No. 1 Abilene Christian, demonstrating the strength of our conference."

Western Oregon fans will have the opportunity to see the class of the GNAC next week when No. 2 nationally ranked Central Washington comes to town for a Nov. 7th, showdown with the Wolves. Kickoff will be at 1:00 p.m.

"Our offense will build off today's performance and the defense will improve and be ready against Central Washington," said Ferguson.