MONMOUTH, Ore. – In another classic rivalry game in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, the role of the comeback team on Saturday at McArthur Field were reversed compared to the earlier meeting this season between Western Oregon and Humboldt State. On a festive Homecoming and Senior Day afternoon, the Wolves could not complete a 26-point comeback in a 42-37 loss in GNAC play.
 
The Wolves (3-5, 2-4 GNAC) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after both teams fumbled possession during their opening drives. On a long third down, junior quarterback Phillip Fenumiai hit Paul Revis for a 68-yard touchdown, the longest play from scrimmage for Western Oregon this season, for a 6-0 lead after a two-point pass attempt fell incomplete.
 
Humboldt State would then open a 7-6 lead early in the second quarter on a Robert Webber touchdown pass to tight end Dillen Littles. Western Oregon got the ball back on the ensuing drive when senior cornerback Danny Hankins intercepted a Webber pass, but had a 41-yard field goal attempt from redshirt freshman kicker Jacob Bannister blocked in the first attempt to retake the lead. Late in the half, Revis deflected an HSU punt that set up the Wolves near midfield. Eight plays later, Bannister's line drive field goal from 27 yards split the uprights to give Western Oregon a 9-7 lead at the half.
 
The third quarter was offensively dominated by Humboldt State. Webber was 11-for-11 in the quarter for 181 yards and three touchdowns while junior tailback Ju'Quan Gardner added two rushing scores as the Lumberjacks outscored WOU 35-7 in the 15-minute span.
 
In the midst of the HSU scoring blitz, Fenumiai capped a quick four-play, 90-yard drive by taking off on a quarterback keeper for 73 yards to the house. Two quarters after helping Revis set the mark for the longest play from scrimmage, the QB assumed the top spot with a hard-fought run.
 
Trailing 42-16 entering the fourth quarter, Western Oregon ramped up the defensive intensity while spreading the ball to make it a game. Fenumiai hit sophomore tight end Caleb Tingstad to put the Wolves in the red zone and one play later, the signal caller found Revis for his second scoring connection on a 15-yard slant pass to trim the HSU lead to 19 points, 42-23.
 
After an HSU punt and a forced fumble from senior linebacker Tafatolu Tafai, Fenumiai kept the ball on the ground toward the goal line. As he approached, he was stripped of the ball, but luckily junior wide receiver Wesley Gray trailed on the play and recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown to bring the Wolves with 12 (42-30).
 
Western Oregon got the ball back with 3:29 left in regulation with 80 yards of work to do. A 12-play drive hit paydirt when Fenumiai's fourth down pass to the far pylon was grabbed on a gorgeous effort by redshirt freshman Javontae Perry for a 19-yard touchdown.
 
Down by five, the Wolves attempted a long onside kick that was hauled in by the Jacks to quell the WOU rally.
 
 In the fourth quarter, Fenumiai was an impressive 11-of-18 for 122 yard and two scores. He finished the game by completing 22 of 40 passing attempts for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 145 yards and a score on 17 carries. Fenumiai is the first WOU quarterback to rush for 100 yards in a game since Cody Von Appen (127 yards on 18 carries) against Azusa Pacific on Sept. 29, 2012.
 
Revis caught five balls for 116 yards and two scores, notching his fourth games this year over the 100-yard mark. Perry had career highs with four catches and 61 yards while TIngstad, senior tight end Andy Avgi and junior running back Steven Long each had three catches.
 
Freshman Torreahno Sweet racked up 139 yards on six kickoff returns while Revis accounted for 63 yards with one kickoff and one punt return.
 
Sophomore linebacker Bo Highburger led the Wolves defense with eight tackles while junior linebacker Tyler Johnson had two tackles for loss in his seven-tackle day. Also with seven stops was Tafai and junior defensive back Nathan Jones, who forced a fumble.
 
The Wolves outgained the Lumberjacks 524-453 but allowed Webber to throw for 357 yards and four touchdowns.
 
After a bye week, Western Oregon travels to Azusa Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 5 for the first of its final two road games in the regular season. Kickoff from Citrus Stadium is set for 6 p.m. Pacific.