Football set to host Central Washington for homecoming showdown this Saturday

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Riding a four-game winning streak, the Western Oregon University football team returns home to face Central Washington for the second time in three weeks this Saturday when the Wolves host the Wildcats for homecoming with kickoff set for 1:05 p.m. at McArthur Field. Maps Credit Union will be handing out rally towels for the game.

WOU (4-2, 3-0 GNAC) enters the game having defeated Azusa Pacific, Central Washington, Simon Fraser and Texas A&M-Kingsville during the winning streak. Last time out against the Javelinas the Wolves used strong play from the defense in the first half to keep the score at 14-7. The offense then went to work in the second half using a big 19-point quarter to come-from-behind and grab the 26-14 victory over Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Wolves also won last year in Kingsville.

Since the second week of the season against nationally-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce, the Wolves have had at least two players honored by the GNAC for players of the week. This past week Curtis Anderson and Marquis Sampson were tabbed by the conference for defense and special teams player of the week accolades.

WOU is averaging over 33 points per game, along with piling up 126 first downs, averaging 242.3 yards per game on the ground with 19 touchdowns, and throwing for an average of 196.8 per game with 10 touchdowns. All total the Wolves have averaged 6.5 yards per play and 439.2 total yards per game. WOU has gone 14-22 (63) this season on fourth down conversions. Of the 30 red zone trips this year, the Wolves have scored on 21 trips and 20 times the drive has resulted in a touchdown.

Opponents are averaging just over 28 points per game, 117 first downs, averaging 123 yards per game on the ground with 14 touchdowns, passing for an average of 222 yards per game with eight touchdowns. Overall the opposition averages 345 yards per game and 5.2 yards per play on 402 total snaps this year. In 26 total red zone trips, 23 times have resulted in points and 20 times in a touchdown.

Ty Currie remains one of the top dual-threats in the nation as he has completed 74-137 for 1,126 yards and nine touchdowns. When he isn't throwing the ball all over the field he is gaining big chunks on the ground rushing 77 times for 408 yards and seven touchdowns. Omari Land is tied with Currie rushing for seven touchdowns on 91 carries and 536 yards. Nico Jackson has added 406 yards on 76 carries and three scores. Tyler Reid has caught 13 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown. Thomas Wright has 10 catches for 208 yards and two scores. Justice Murphy has 11 catches for 170 yards and a score, while Sampson has 10 receptions for 142 yards and a pair of scores. Land has over 100 yards receiving checking in at 104 on four catches and a touchdown.

On defense Jaylin Parnell, Nate Proctor, Jr., and Tyler Wharf have 37 tackles apiece. Both Parnell and Proctor have 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Parnell has an interception. Wharf has 2.5 tackles for loss. Tyrell Cummings leads the team in tackles for loss (5) and sacks (3). Anderson has four interceptions to lead the team, with two this past week to help him earn GNAC player of the week honors. Derek Parnell has broken up 10 passes this year.

In special teams, Andrew Gross has punted 19 times for an average of 40 yards and a long of 56 yards. He has three inside the 20 and three that have traveled over 50 yards. He's gone 1-3 on field goal attempts and is averaging 59.9 yards on 36 kickoffs. Reid has returned nine punts for 92 yards with a long of 26 yards, while Anderson has returned 17 kickoffs for 333 yards with a long return of 63 yards. Joey Sinclair has 109 yards on four returns with a long of 44, while Sampson has two returns for 94 yards, with a long of 67 last week to help him earn GNAC player of the week honors.

WOU ranks high in the nation and leads the GNAC in multiple categories including first in the GNAC in third down conversion percentage (.382), first in the GNAC in three down conversion percentage on defense (.388), first in the GNAC and 27^th nationally in fourth down conversion percentage (.636), first in the GNAC in completion percentage (.542), 48^th nationally in first downs on offense (126), 34^th nationally in net punting (36.68), first in the GNAC and 13^th nationally in interceptions thrown (3), first in the GNAC and 45^th nationally in passes intercepted (7), first in the GNAC in passing yards allowed (222), 23^rd nationally in passing yards per completion (15.34), first in the GNAC and fifth nationally in punt return yards allowed on defense (0.75), first in the GNAC in punt return yards per game (8.91), first in the GNAC and 46^th nationally in rushing defense per game (123), first in the GNAC and 18^th nationally in rushing offense per game (242.3), first in the GNAC in scoring defense (28.2), 44^th nationally in scoring offense (33.7), first in the GNAC and 41^st nationally in tackles for loss allowed (5.33), first in the GNAC and 39^th nationally in team passing efficiency (143.10), first in the GNAC in team passing efficiency defense (114.3), first in the GNAC and 37^th nationally in time of possession (31:46), first in the GNAC in total defense (345.2), 29^th nationally in total offense (439.2), first in the GNAC and 42^nd nationally in winning percentage (.667).

Individually Currie ranks high in several categories including first in the GNAC in completion percentage (.540), first in the GNAC and 44^th nationally in passing efficiency (140.4), first in the GNAC and 17^th nationally in passing yards per completion (15.22), first in the GNAC and 22^nd nationally in points responsible for (100), first in the GNAC and 24^th nationally in points responsible for per game (16.7), first in the GNAC and 21^st nationally in rushing touchdowns (1), tied in that category with Land, first in the GNAC and 29^th nationally in total offense (255.7), 44^th nationally in total touchdowns (7) and first in the GNAC and 30^th nationally in yards per pass attempt (8.22). Land is not only tied with Currie for 21^st nationally and leading the GNAC in rushing TD, but he is 30^th nationally in rushing yards (536), 32^nd nationally in rushing yards per game (89.3), 45^th nationally in scoring (8.0), first in the GNAC and 35^th nationally in total points scored (48), first in the GNAC and 21^st nationally in total touchdowns (8). Anderson is first in the GNAC and 43^rd nationally in combined kick return yards (333), first in the GNAC and fourth nationally in interceptions per game (0.7). Derek Parnell is first in the GNAC and third nationally in passes defended per game (2.2). Reid is first in the GNAC and 21^st nationally in punt return yards per game (10.2).

Central Washington enters the game 4-2 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play having rolled to a 44-6 win over Azusa Pacific in Ellensburg this past weekend. The other game the Wildcats played since WOU was at West Texas A&M in which they made a late push before falling, 41-48.

It will be a different look on offense for CWU with Christian Moore now under center as he threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns against the Cougars this past week to earn GNAC player of the week honors. Dangerous running back Michael Roots added 102 yards on 17 carries. Moore also rushed for 70 yards on 11 carries. Tyson Rainwater caught 10 passes for 177 yards and three scores. The defense posted six sacks and eight total tackles for loss.

As a team CWU averages over 34 points and allow over 36 points, picking up 143 first downs to allowing 141, averaging 190 yards on the ground per game and allowing 227 yards. The Wildcats have scored eight rushing TD and allowed 18. CWU has thrown for an average of 310 yards and 18 touchdowns while the opposition has thrown for 251 yards and 11 scores. The Wildcats have been able to score 21 times on 24 red zone trips, but only 12 touchdowns. Opponents have scored on 20 trips in 26 chances, 18 resulting in touchdowns.

Moore has completed 52-91 for 891 yards and 10 touchdowns. Canon Racanelli who began the year as the starter has completed 61-135 for 847 yards and five touchdowns. Roots has rushed 129 times for 804 yards and seven touchdowns. Moore is second on the team in rushing at 100 yards on 25 carries. Rainwater has caught 26 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns. Tony Archie has 28 catches for 402 yards and five touchdowns. Drake Owen (275) and JoJo Hillel (230) are both over 200 yards receiving.

On defense Hamilton Hunt leads the way with 49 tackles (23 solo) along with a sack and forced fumble. Jeremiah Vasquez adds 39 tackles and Cody O'Connell with 38 stops. Billy Greer has four sacks and Isaiah Carbajal adds three sacks. Tyren Sams has four interceptions and Chaz McKenzie adds two.

On special teams, Patrick Hegarty has punted 27 times for an average of 36.89 yards with a long of 58 yards, five inside the 20 and two that have traveled over 50 yards. Gavin Todd is 8-9 in field goals with a long of 40. Hegarty has averaged 52.4 yards on 39 kickoffs. Tai-John Mizutani has returned 10 punts for 51 yards, while Eric Wilkes has returned 13 kickoffs for 303 yards.

Video and stats will be available for the game with live video found here and live stats found here. KWVT will also televise the game locally.

Also parking reminder: PARKING ANNOUNCEMENT: The REDZONE Tailgate Lot (behind stadium) is full for this weekend's Homecoming Game. NO PAY DAY OF PARKING. You must have a pass to gain entry. There will be handicap parking (limited) in the lot at no charge. Parking available in lot's J, P, R, F. Please note, no alcohol can be consumed in any of the other parking lots besides the Redzone Tailgate Lot.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Curtis Anderson: DB; 6' 2"; Junior; 1V

#14 Ty Currie: QB; 6' 2"; Senior; 2V

#96 Andrew Gross: K/P; 6' 1"; Junior

#7 Nico Jackson: RB; 6' 2"; Senior; TR

#23 Omari Dixon-Land: RB; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS

#88 Justice Murphy: WR; 6' 1"; Junior

#25 Derek Parnell: DB; 5' 11"; Senior; 2V

#9 Jaylin Parnell: LB; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#32 Nate Proctor: LB; 6' 2"; Senior; 2V

#5 Marquis Sampson: WR; 5' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS

Players Mentioned

#3 Curtis Anderson
: 6' 2"; Junior; 1V
: DB

#14 Ty Currie
: 6' 2"; Senior; 2V
: QB

#96 Andrew Gross
: 6' 1"; Junior
: K/P

#7 Nico Jackson
: 6' 2"; Senior; TR
: RB

#23 Omari Dixon-Land
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS
: RB

#88 Justice Murphy
: 6' 1"; Junior
: WR

#25 Derek Parnell
: 5' 11"; Senior; 2V
: DB

#9 Jaylin Parnell
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: LB

#32 Nate Proctor
: 6' 2"; Senior; 2V
: LB

#5 Marquis Sampson
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS
: WR