Football | 9/5/2009 3:51:07 PM

Box Score [Box score]

CHENEY, Wash. - Whenever you play up a level, the margin for error is slim and today (Sept. 5) Western Oregon missed a few opportunities during its season opener in a 35-14 loss to Eastern Washington in front of 3,113 fans at Woodward Field.

Despite a few miscues the Wolves were in the game as they entered the fourth quarter trailing just 21-14. WOU used a balanced attack to put touchdowns on the board in the first and third quarters.

The offense moved the ball up and down the field but reached the end zone just twice. The Wolves got inside the Eagles' 30-yardline four separate times, and were twice inside the 10, but failed to come away with points.

"The offense played well but needed to finish drives and avoid those big penalties," Western Oregon head football coach Arne Ferguson explained. "The procedure was good but we need to be more consistent in the running game. The offense still has room for improvement and I expect them to play even better next week."

Second-year starter Josh Riddell completed 20-of-41 passes for 190 yards, two touchdowns and had two interceptions while helping the Wolves win the time of possession battle 35:37 to 24:23. Sean Fullerton and Jon Dowd were the main targets for Riddell as each hauled in five passes with Fullerton going for 85 yards and Dowd for 40. Ben Kuenzi paced the Wolves on the ground with 53 yards and Tirrell Thompson also impressed rushing for 33 yards on just six carries.

The Wolves' defense was able to contain the Eagles' offense for some of the game, intercepting All-American candidate Matt Nichols twice, forcing a turnover on downs and forcing EWU into three three-and-outs. John Breza picked off one of the passes while Gerritt Vincent snagged the other. The defense also sacked Nichols three times and recorded eight tackles for loss. Gavin Romanick was the top tackler for WOU with eight while Caleb Singleton added seven.

Eastern Washington's offense was able to capitalize on a number of big plays for much of its scoring. The first play from scrimmage for EWU was an 87-yard touchdown run from Taiwan Jones and it was able to take a 14-7 lead into halftime on a 53-yard touchdown pass from Nichols to Aaron Boyce. The third Eagles' score was also set up by a big play as Nichols connected with Boyce on a 38-yard pass.

"(Boyce) is phenomenal wide receiver that we didn't contain on a couple of big plays," continued Ferguson. "Our defense needs to get better, we were not as sharp as we needed to be."

The Wolves received a huge lift on special teams as Dowd took the opening kickoff of the game 58 yards to the EWU 40. For the game Dowd returned five kickoffs for 168 yards.

"Our special teams played well today, especially on kick return where we were able to establish good field position for the offense," Ferguson noted.

This was the first game for Dowd on the offensive side of the ball as he made the switch from defensive back to wide receiver.

John Breza played on both sides of the ball, lining up as a fullback and a linebacker, and today he recorded a touchdown in addition to his interception.

Next week, the Wolves will be in Arcata, Calif., as they open Great Northwest Athletic Conference against Humboldt State on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 6:05 p.m.