MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Wolves were bested in every offensive category on Saturday afternoon, except two – touchdown receptions and the final score. Senior quarterback Trey Shimabukuro threw for 233 yards and three scores while WOU made big play after big play in the second half to defeat Simon Fraser, 32-14 at McArthur Field.
 
Three Western Oregon drives in the second half culminating in three touchdown passes of over 20 yards preceding an insurance interception return for a score from Danny Hankins to erase an eight-point deficit and turn it into a 17-point non-conference win.
 
"The receivers did a nice job of separating and getting away with the ball," said Western Oregon head coach Arne Ferguson. "Danny made a good play on the interception and more importantly finished with a score."
 
Western Oregon now has a 21-10 record against Simon Fraser and has won 12 consecutive in the series dating back to 2001.
 
The Wolves racked up 294 yards of total offense while the Clan (0-1) gained 333 through the air and 109 on the ground for a total of 442 yards.
 
Sophomore return man Paul Revis gave the fans in the stands cause for celebration taking back a SFU punt 53 yard for a score in the first quarter.
 
" Paul Revis is a phenomenal athlete and we want the ball in his hands as many times as we can," Ferguson added. "He can make people miss, he can do a lot of things, and our punt return team did a great job of blocking."
 
Simon Fraser took the lead with a rushing and receiving touchdown each for running back Josh Hayden. His four-yard run in the second quarter put the Clan in front, 7-6. Midway through the third quarter, a blown WOU defensive coverage left Hayden wide open in the end zone to guide a Ryan Stanford pass right into his hands to increase SFU's lead to 14-6.
 
The Wolves worked their way into the red zone multiple times, but penalties would knock them outside the threshold. On this Saturday, it did not bother Shimabukuro and the Pack. Responding to SFU's second scoring drive in the game, WOU capitalized on crisp field position at the SFU 42-yard line. The four-play drive began with senior running back Joe Harris grab a 17-yard reception and followed with a 16-yard rush. Two plays later, Daniel Thomas posted Western Oregon's first offensive touchdown as he hauled in a pass from 23 yards out.
 
After WOU blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt in the closing minute of the third quarter, the offense marched down the field on a drive of 60 yards. The TD pass materialized as Wesley Gray broke free from 32 yards out.
 
Another stalled SFU drive followed, opening the door to increase the lead. The Wolves started in their own territory and used four small gains to set up the final TD strike. Kamakana Apelu made the scoring catch for a 25-14 lead.
 
With chances running out, Simon Fraser went to a hurry-up offense that produced a red-zone threat. But in one of his two mistakes of the day, SFU quarterback Ryan Stanford did not see Hankins cutting toward the passing lane as he threw toward the goal line. The cornerback picked the pass, broke a few tackles and capped off the Wolves' home-opening win for the third year in a row.
 
Eight different receivers had catches led by Gray's six receptions and 69 yards. Harris and Daniel Harper each had 42 rushing yards. Shane Kuenzi made 10 tackles to lead the defense, followed by Hankins with eight and Tyler Johnson with seven.
 
Western Oregon plays its next three games on the road. Next Saturday, the Wolves head to Ellensburg to face Central Washington at 1 p.m.