Game 3 – Western Oregon at Western New Mexico
12 p.m. (MT) Saturday, Sept. 16
Altamirano Field | Silver City, N.M.
Live Stream | Live Stats | Tickets
MONMOUTH, Ore.—In its third straight road contest to start the year, Western Oregon will travel to face Western New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kick off against the Mustangs is set for 12 p.m. (MT) at Altamirano Field.
SERIES: Western New Mexico and Western Oregon have faced each other on two occasions since WOU transitioned to NCAA DII In 2000… WOU holds a 2-0 edge in the series...2003: Western Oregon 37, Western New Mexico 17 (Silver City, N.M.)... 2002: Western Oregon 36, Western New Mexico 17 (Monmouth, Ore.).
ABOUT WESTERN NEW MEXICO: The Mustangs enter Saturday's game with two losses to start the season… WSM fell to San Diego, 34-20, on the road in the opener and at home against Eastern New Mexico, 37-34, last week… The Mustangs were 3-8 overall in 2016 with a 3-6 mark in Lone Star Conference contests.
HIGHBURGER GNAC POW: Senior linebacker
Bo Highburger was tabbed as the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 11 after his performance against Central Washington University… Highburger totaled 10 tackles, including one sack and a fumble recovery in the 30-23 loss in Ellensburg… Highburger returned the fumble recovery 79 yards for a touchdown to help the Wolves recover from a 24-3 deficit and finish within a single score of the Wildcats.
REVIS WATCH: In two games, senior
Paul Revis has hauled in 25 catches for 251 yards… His 12.5 receptions per game average is ranked No. 2 in NCAA DII while his 125.5 yards per game mark is good for No. 20 in the nation.
OFFENSIVE RETURNERS: WOU returns a pair of quarterbacks with starting experience with
Nick Duckworth and
Phillip Fenumiai returning for their senior seasons… Duckworth led the team with 1,387 passing yards and 10 touchdowns while Fenumiai paced the team with 480 rushing yards… The team's top two receivers return in
Paul Revis and
Keoni Piceno… Revis led the GNAC with 70 receptions and 1,057 yards… Piceno caught 34 passes for 333 yards… Several familiar faces are also back along the offensive line with
Brad Christensen (7 starts),
Bryson Dizon (8 starts) and
Ron Rose (8 starts) back in the mix.
DEFENSIVE RETURNERS: Linebackers
Tyler Johnson and
Bo Highburger headline the defensive side of the ball with both players starting all 10 games… Highburger finished the year with a team-high 111 tackles (63 solo) while Johnson tallied 65 tackles (37 solo) and five sacks…
Nathan Jones,
Trebriel Larry and
Derek Parnell return as the most experienced defensive backs with all three receiving multiple starting assignments a year ago.
GNAC PRESEASON POLL: Western Oregon was picked to finish fourth according to the GNAC Coaches' Preseason Poll… Defending champion Azusa Pacific received all five first-place votes to lead the pack… Central Washington and Humboldt State went second and third in the poll while Simon Fraser was picked to place fifth.
2016 RECAP: WOU finished 2016 with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-5 mark in GNAC contests… The Wolves opened the season with a 38-30 win at NCAA DI Sacramento State with WOU outgaining the Hornets 180 to 133 on the ground… WOU also played at NCAA DI Montana State to complete its non-conference schedule… The Wolves went 2-2 in the first half of GNAC play with a 48-42 win at then No. 24-ranked Humboldt State.
GAME #2 Recap: Central Washington 30, Western Oregon 23
Central Washington jumped out to a 24-3 lead with 10 minutes to play in the second half but a 79-yard fumble return by
Bo Highburger sparked a late rally for the Wolves…
Nick Duckworth found
Torreahno Sweet for a 57-yard strike with five minutes remaining to pull within a single score, but a CWU recovery on the ensuing on-side kick prevented the continued comeback attempt… The game was moved from Ellensburg due to reduced air quality from wild fires in the region… The game was played north of Seattle in Bothell, Washington.
GAME #1 Recap: Idaho State 37, Western Oregon 6
Looking to topple an NCAA DI program for the second straight season, the Wolves held a 6-3 lead at the half at Idaho State in the season opener… The Bengals scored touchdowns on five straight possessions in the second half to pull away… WOU quarterback
Nick Duckworth ended the day with 288 yards passing on 27 of 55 attempts… On the receiving end,
Paul Revis caught 13 passes for 137 yards
