Football | 10/23/2010 6:13:45 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - Western Oregon scored 21 unanswered over the final seven minutes of its annual Homecoming game to defeat Azusa Pacific 38-17 in front of 2,497 fans on Saturday, Oct. 23.

This was the fifth straight Homecoming win for the Wolves who improved to 5-3 on the season (3-2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference). The loss was the third straight for the Cougars and dropped them to 4-3 on the season.

In a game that was played very evenly on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, it would be the Wolves' special teams that would be the deciding factor. Lucas Gonsalves was all over the place for WOU. He racked up 210 all-purpose yards, as he notched 98 punt return yards and 112 kick return yards. Gonslaves was also a critical in the field position battle, as WOU started 13 of its 16 drives from at least its own 45, with 11 of those starting in APU territory.

While on offense, APU and WOU relied heavily on the run game as both teams registered 185 yards on the ground. Adryan Allen was the force in the backfield for Western Oregon with 108 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Valdez also added 47 yards on 10 carries.

Evan Mozzochi earned his second win as a starter for the Wolves. He completed 7-of-14 attempts for 73 yards, including two touchdowns to Justin Ore.

Western Oregon also received an outstanding defensive effort, especially by its secondary. Caleb Singleton led the team with 16 tackles (nine solo), and added an interception late to seal the game. Bryce Peila registered his first career touchdown near the end of the first half when he intercepted the ball near midfield and returned it 43 yards for the score. He also recovered a fumble on a muffed punt by the Cougars. Raymond Williams Jr. would add an interception and Scotland Foss nine tackles.

“The final turnovers would control the game today,” Western Oregon head coach Arne Ferguson stated.

During the first half of play, the weather didn't favor either team. The pouring rain helping to contribute to multiple fumbles. The Wolves were able to capitalize on this problem caused for both teams. During the opening kickoff APU's Johnell Murphy fumbled the ball but managed to recover it at their 28-yard line. Then on the next drive WOU had the ball on their 24-yard line and had a forced fumble, which they managed to recover.

But the Wolves faced their own difficulties as they tried to break through APU's defensive line. “APU is a great defensive team, the have eight or nine guys just jumping around on the line, and that really confuses our offense,” Ferguson explained. “It's something new and we weren't as disciplined as I would have liked. This being the first time we have seen something like this.”

WOU was given a questionable call when a snap was fumbled by the quarterback. As No. 10 scrambled to recover the ball one of the referees had an inadvertent whistle that called the ball dead and left it in WOU's possession. Directly following the play Scott Buche came out to put the ball away for 41 yards as WOU continued to control the field position game.

The final eight minutes of the game is where the Wolves would shine through. With the score tied at 17-17, Mozzochi would complete a five-yard pass to Justin Ore for a touchdown. Then APU would come out for their next drive only to have to punt the ball away.

The Wolves would then find paydirt on a five-yard rush by Allen, for the first of his two touchdowns in the final 2:29. This score seemed the wear down the Cougars spirits. They would come out for one last hopeful drive, only to have it stripped away again when Williams would make his second pick of the day, this one at the Cougars' 15 yard line.

The Wolves offense then came out to seal the game, as they Allen carried the ball twice for 15 yards and the score.

Western Oregon will host its final home game of the season next Saturday (Oct. 30) against Dixie State. Kickoff will be at 2:00 p.m.