Football | 9/4/2010 7:44:45 PM

Box Score [Box score]

BURNABY, B.C. – Led by a three touchdown, 261-yard effort from senior quarterback AJ Robinson and a stout defensive performance, the Western Oregon football team opened the 2010 season with a convincing, 38-0 victory over the Simon Fraser on Saturday, Sept. 4.

Trevor Gates hauled in two touchdowns and four receptions for 69 yards. Justin Ore also grabbed four passes for 95 yards, including a 49-yard scoring reception on the Wolves' first drive of the game. Western Oregon outgained Simon Fraser 339 to 104 through the air.

Darryl Valdez did work on the ground for WOU as he racked up 98 yards and one score on 21 carries. Freshman Kirk Werhane also carried the ball seven times for 26 yards.

Bryce Peila led the Wolves' defense with eight tackles. Scotland Foss and Gerritt Vincent added six tackles each. Foss also collected a fumble recovery, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. That fumble along with a forced fumble by Vincent and two interceptions helped WOU have a plus-two advantage (4-2) in the turnover department.

It was their first shutout since blanking Southern Oregon 23-0 last season, and their first shutout of a GNAC opponent since Humboldt State (64-0) in 2007.

The combination of Western Oregon's offense and defense helped to a 469 to 266 edge in total offense for the game.

Evan Mozzochi also saw action for WOU behind center. He connected on 2-of-5 pass attempts including a 64 yard touchdown strike to Josh McFarland as part of the Wolves 21 point second quarter.

After forcing Simon Fraser into a three-and-out to open the contest, the Wolves struck quickly on a four play, 52-yard drive culminating in a 49-yard strike from Robinson to Ore with 11:58 left in the first to give WOU a 7-0 lead.

The score remained the same heading into the second; however, on the first play of the second, Western Oregon's Vincent forced a Simon Fraser fumble deep in their own territory as the Wolves recovered for first-and-goal. WOU converted the opportunity when Robinson found Gates on third down to extend the lead to 14-0.

With SFU unable to do anything after the ensuing kickoff, WOU went on a six-play, 84-yard drive, capped off by Robinson's third touchdown pass of the game. On third and one, Robinson found Gates on a swing pass as the wide receiver converted it for his second touchdown of the game to give the Wolves a commanding 21-0 lead.

It didn't take long for WOU to strike again as the Wolves scored a touchdown on their third consecutive possession, this time on Mozzochi's 64-yard pass to McFarland. The play capped a four-play, 94-yard drive, giving the Wolves a 28-point advantage heading into halftime.

It was more of the same following the half as the Wolves scored following another Clan turnover inside their own 10-yard line. Darryl Valdez punched it in from two-yards out for his first rushing touchdown of the season, giving the Wolves a 35-0 lead with 12:00 left in the third quarter.

Kelly Morgan then converted on a 50 yard field goal with 2:06 remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter to cap off the scoring for Western Oregon.

The Wolves will face a stiff opponent next week when they travel to Sacramento State. Kickoff will be at 6:05 p.m.