Curtis Anderson
Amanda Loman
26
Winner Western Oregon WOU 4-2
14
Tex. A&M-Kingsville TAMUK 1-5
Winner
Western Oregon WOU
4-2
26
Final
14
Tex. A&M-Kingsville TAMUK
1-5
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WOU Western Oregon 7 0 19 0 26
TAMUK Tex. A&M-Kingsville 7 7 0 0 14

Game Recap: Football | | Brian Kortz

Big Third Quarter Sends Football to Fourth Straight Win

KINGSVILLE, Texas – With the defense coming up with big stops throughout the first half, the offense got things going in the second half and more specifically in the third quarter to bring the Western Oregon University football team back on their way to claiming the 26-14 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday night.

The win marks the fourth straight for WOU (4-2) which is the first time since 2015 that they've had a winning streak of at least four. That season they won six straight.

"We really responded in the second half to pick-up a big win on the road. The defense was able to limit them to just over 200 total yards and one of their touchdowns came off of a blocked field goal return," Head Coach Arne Ferguson said. "We had three interceptions to really help swing momentum and once again the defensive line is improving. Also the linebackers were solid and our cornerbacks played really well against some very good receivers. The offensive line has remained solid each week and once again we had another big day on the ground with Ty Currie, Omari Land going for 100 yards and Nico Jackson was close to 100 again. Now we have a big one coming up this week against Central Washington for homecoming."

Although the Wolves trailed at half, it was just 14-7, as the defense came up with a couple of big stops off of turnovers to keep Texas A&M-Kingsville (1-5) from scoring. One stop came after a muffed punt had the Javelinas at the WOU 10, but a Curtis Anderson interception stopped the drive. Then on the next series after the interception, a fumble out near midfield gave the Javelinas the ball back. The defense came up big forcing a quick three-and-out allowing just one yard.

WOU piled up the yards once again going for 456 total yards, including 273 on the ground. They limited the Javelinas to just 233 total yards with 120 through the air. Ty Currie completed 12-23 for 183 yards, with a long pass of 54 yards. He came up big on the ground once again rushing 16 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Omari Land added a rushing score in addition to carrying the ball 14 times for 101 yards. Nico Jackson added 63 yards on 10 carries.

Justice Murphy caught three passes for 61 yards, while Damon Hickok had one catch for 54 yards. The defense recorded three interceptions, two by Curtis Anderson and the other by Joey Sinclair. Ryan Minniti led the way in tackles with six, including five solo. Jaylin Parnell and Blayne Burnett each had five tackles.

"This was a great team win and huge second half after a lot of adversity in the first half," Minniti said. "Also shoutout to our offensive line, they've been dominating lately!"

Texas A&M-Kingsville (1-5) started the game off strong taking the opening kickoff and marching seven plays and 62 yards ending with a three-yard touchdown run for the 7-0 lead just over four minutes into the contest.

The Wolves wasted little time responding as a big 67-yard kickoff return by Marquis Sampson put WOU at the Javelinas 26. Following a few runs by Land that netted 11 yards, Currie finished off the drive with a 15-yard run to the end zone to tie the game at seven.

After that, the defense came up big for the Wolves the remainder of the quarter. After the defense forced a punt, a fumble on the punt return gave Texas A&M-Kingsville the ball at the WOU 10. The defense gave up just six yards over the next few snaps before Anderson came up with a big interception in the end zone on third down.

"It was a great measure of our team to come out on the road, take their punches on the chin and not fold or back down at all," Anderson said. "The second half we locked in on all three phases of the game and executed. Nothing better than being with a group of guys who have a completely upward trajectory over the course of the season. Onto the next one!"

Following the turnover, a fumble by WOU just two plays later had the Javelinas with the ball again in WOU territory at the 45. The defense forced a pair of incomplete passes and then a one-yard run for the three-and-out.

The Wolves looked ready to take the lead midway through the second quarter, but a blocked field goal was then returned 70 yards by the Javelinas to give Texas A&M-Kingsville the 14-7 lead.

Each team nearly scored before halftime as WOU turned the ball over on downs following a 10 play, 47 yard drive and then the Javelinas moved down to the WOU 10 and attempted a 27-yard field goal that was missed to leave the halftime score at 14-7.

The Wolves then dominated the third quarter. The opening kickoff of the second half was returned 36 yards by Anderson to put WOU out near midfield. A big 34-yard pass from Currie to Murphy put the ball at the TAMK 10. Faced with a third-and-goal at the two, Currie rushed it in for the second time to tie the game up at 14.

After the teams traded possessions, Anderson came through with another interception at the WOU 35 in which he returned 30 yards to the Javelinas 35. It didn't take long for the Wolves to take the lead with Land rushing five straight times, with the last one reaching the end zone from seven yards out to push WOU out to a 20-14 lead following a missed extra point with just over five minutes to play in the third quarter.

Following a few more stops by both defenses, WOU put together a quick three play drive late in the third quarter. Beginning at the WOU 32, an interference penalty and then a big 40 yard run by Jackson had the ball at the TAMK 11. On the next snap, Currie went in for his third rushing touchdown to move WOU out to the 26-14 lead.

"It's always big to get a win down here. We didn't play our best in the first half, but we kept battling and started to click as the game went on," Currie said. "We can enjoy this win for a day, but after that it's on to next week. One game at a time, and it doesn't matter who we play, it's all about us."

In the fourth quarter, the defense forced a quick three-and-out and then made another stop out near midfield before sealing the game when Sinclair tallied an interception at the WOU 34 and returned it 18 yards.

Cade Dyal went 15-34 for 120 yards and three interceptions for the Javelinas. Luis Lopez rushed 11 times for 71 yards and Ryan Martinez added three catches for 55 yards. On defense, Tre Tutt collected 13 tackles, nine solo, with a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Kason Franklin added 10 tackles.

WOU will carry their four-game winning streak into a homecoming matchup next Saturday against Central Washington with kickoff set for 1:05 p.m. at McArthur Field.
 
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