Football | 10/30/2010 6:01:55 PM

Box Score [Box score]

MONMOUTH, Ore. - The Western Oregon football team put together its most complete performance of the season in a 42-7 route of Dixie State on Senior Day (Oct. 30).

Demario Ballard led the way offensively with 127 yards receiving and two touchdowns on five catches. Evan Mozzochi earned his third straight win as a starter, as he threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns while completing 11-of-15 passes. The Wolves (6-3, 4-2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) also got 92 yards from Cory Bean, as they outgained the Red Storm in total yardage 466-155.

"We had great timing with our receivers," said Western Oregon head coach Arne Ferguson. "I really feel our offensive line is coming together and playing better, and obviously having Demario Ballard is a huge plus."

The Wolves defense also had a dominating afternoon, as it held Dixie State (2-7, 2-6 GNAC) to just four first downs in the first half and to 1-of-13 on third downs. King Manu paced the squad with five tackles but it was safety Bryce Peila who really stood out. He had one pass break-up and an interception which he returned for a touchdown. He also made a big play on special teams by blocking a punt on the Red Storm's first possession of the second half.

"We just came out as a defense really fired up and looking to run around and make things happen," said the sophomore safety, Bryce Peila. "It was just another route (on the interception), and I got my hands on it."

Big plays were the theme of the day for Western Oregon. After marching down the field in 11 plays for a touchdown pass to Trevor Gates on their opening drive, WOU went for an onside kick and recovered it. Kicker Kelly Morgan was able to pop the ball up along the sideline and Benjamin Merrill raced under it to give the Wolves the possession. However, WOU could not take full advantage as the drive stalled on a fumble.

But Peila had the answer to pick up his offensive teammates. On the third play of the drive, Dixie State's quarterback Cory Stevenson tried to find his receiver underneath but Peila stepped in front, picking off the pass in stride and taking it 22 yards for the score. This was the second straight week with a pick-six for Peila.

Peila's score helped spark the Wolves' offense for the big play. Early in the second quarter it was a 33-yard catch and run to Trevor Roush that set up a short-yardage touchdown run by him to put WOU up 21-0. This would be the first of two runs for the Wolves, in which they put up 21 unanswered points.

After a score by Dixie State, it was Ballard's turn to get in the scoring mix for Western Oregon. He was able to draw single-coverage on the outside and Mozzochi found him on a post route for a score from 49 yards out, giving WOU a 28-7 lead heading into halftime.

Western Oregon would once again go to Ballard from 35 yards out early in the second half to extend its lead to 28 points.

"It's just the quarterback, he put it out there for me and I can make a play on it," Ballard explained. "The o-line protected well, and you know I am 6-7, so as I have been telling the quarterbacks all year 'just put it up there for me.'"

Kyle Lavender would cap off the scoring for Western Oregon. On fourth-and-short, Bean found Lavender sneaking out of the backfield on a touch pass and he was able to run the final distance for a 29-yard touchdown.

The Wolves defense then finished off the game by holding Dixie State scoreless over the quarter. However, the feat did not come without a test. After a pass interference call on WOU's defense and a five-yard rush by Sione Tapuosi, the Red Storm found themselves looking at a first-and-goal from the half-yard line. The Wolves' defense rallied to stop them on the on the next four plays, all rushes, to keep the 35-point lead.

"The most positive thing is that offense, defense and special teams are really getting better," explained Ferguson. "This was our most complete game to date and it is great to see our team get better throughout the year."

This was also a special win for the Wolves because it sent 18 seniors away with a victory in their final game at McArthur Field.

"It was almost more than a win to me because we ended up beating them 42-7, and we got over the hump," explained Caleb Singleton, a four-year start for the Wolves.

"That was a great way to start two rough road games as we are trying to win out and be GNAC champions," continued Singleton.

The Wolves will need to defeat Humboldt State and Central Washington on the road the next two weeks for a chance to share the conference crown. They will play Humboldt State next Saturday (Nov. 6) and then take on Central Washington on Nov. 13.