Braelen Evans
Amanda Loman
22
Midwestern St. MSU 4-4
37
Winner Western Ore. WOU 5-3
Midwestern St. MSU
4-4
22
Final
37
Western Ore. WOU
5-3
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MSU Midwestern St. 6 10 0 6 22
WOU Western Ore. 7 17 13 0 37

Game Recap: Football | | Brian Kortz

Football piles up over 500 yards, control clock and dominate Mustangs in 37-22 victory

MONMOUTH, Ore. – After Midwestern State was able to get a few quick scores in the first half, the Western Oregon University football team started to control the game and the clock. Following a big score before halftime, the Wolves used a dominating third quarter to put the game out of reach as they defeated the Mustangs 37-22 Saturday in non-conference action at McArthur Field.

The win snapped the Mustangs' 21-game regular season run of wins against non-conference games against NCAA Division II opponents dating back to the 2002 season.

Time of possession was all WOU (5-3) as they had the ball for nearly 40 minutes (39:40), while MSU Texas (4-4) kept the ball for just over 20 minutes (20:20). The Wolves ran 20 more plays (82-62) and racked up over 500 yards (541), while holding MSU Texas to just over 300 (309). It was a balanced attack by WOU throwing for 301 yards and running for 240.

"I thought we played really well, it was great to see us respond after a tough loss last week and play to the level we played at today. Evander Willingham had a big play on his score, then right before half when Ty Currie made a really good check down to Omari Land and Justice Murphy a big block to get that score at the break," head coach Arne Ferguson said. "Defensively we had a couple fourth down stops and then the offense had a key fourth down pickup near midfield to keep momentum going. We played really physical throughout the game, both up front on offense and defense. I honestly thought it was our best overall game outside of the blocked punt and then we played really good defense outside of the start of the game and towards the end. I can't say enough about how well the offensive line played to control the game and then on defense, the line continues to show improvement and our backers made big plays when needed."

Ty Currie put together another strong game passing for 301 yards, completing 14-25 and three touchdowns. Thomas Wright caught three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, Evander Willingham added one catch, but it was a big one stretching 58 yards for a touchdown and Omari Land had two catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. Land also led the rushing attack picking up 114 yards on 19 carries. Nico Jackson added a pair of rushing touchdowns along with 98 yards on 20 carries.

"Really excited about today's win! Offense did a great job all-around of staying on the gas pedal. Offensive line was dominate and receivers and running backs made a lot of big plays. Also big shout out to the defense, they played physical and flew around. Good team win," Currie said.

The defense was spread out in tackles with Nate Proctor, Jr., and Tyler Wharf leading the way with five tackles apiece. Proctor also had a big tackle for loss that was a sack for 15 yards. Jaylin Parnell also had a sack. Braelen Evans recorded an interception that was tipped by Curtis Anderson in which he returned 35 yards.

"I believe the game went pretty well, after the first drive defensively, we actually settled in and our defense played with confidence as well as our offense. The offense helped spark a lot of energy today and I'm just happy that everybody came and did their job," Proctor, Jr. said.

WOU wasted little time getting things going, as following a 27-yard return off the kickoff by Anderson, Jackson broke free for a big 19 yard carry. After a 12-yard strike from Currie to Marquis Sampson, Currie then found Jarren Ford for 45 yards down to the one. On the next snap, Jackson took the carry and went in for the score and the early 7-0 lead just over two minutes in.

Midwestern State answered right back using their up-tempo offense to score in four plays and in just 1:14 off the clock to pull to within one as the two-point attempt failed.

The teams then traded possessions with the WOU defense coming through with several big stops to keep the game 7-6 entering the second quarter.

"Each week we find ourselves getting better and better, but as we start to eliminate the penalties and personal fouls, we'll be unstoppable on all sides of the ball. We do well because I feel as though we play for more than ourselves, we play for each other, these coaches that work hard to put us in the best positions for success and our families as well as this community that we have behind us. The sky is the limit for this team and we're only going to keep getting better by the week," Evans said.

It didn't take long for the Wolves to open the second stanza in style when Willingham took a pass from Currie and was able to avoid one tackler and outrun the rest going 58 yards for the touchdown and a 14-6 lead.

"I think this game showed us what we're made of. It wasn't the prettiest, we were tested early in the game with some adversity but we made plays when it counted and got the win, so you can't be disappointed about that. We had great preparation all week and were extremely excited to bounce back after a close one last week. Hats off to the defense, they balled out against a strong offense. Our big boys up front on offense controlled the whole game and it showed when our key playmakers were able to get out in space and make plays. Time to enjoy the win tonight and come ready to work on Sunday," Willingham said.

The Mustangs were able to get back into the game a few minutes later when a blocked punt deep in WOU territory gave MSU Texas the ball at the Wolves 16. Three plays later, the Mustangs were back on the board and within one at 14-13 with still 10:24 to play before halftime.

Another big return on the kickoff again by Anderson helped setup the offense when he went 41 yards to setup WOU out near midfield. The offense was able to move down the field with Currie picking up a pair of big runs, the first of 19 yards and the second of 14 yards to set up a field goal attempt. Andrew Gross was able to connect on a 28-yard try to push the lead to 17-13.

Midwestern State answered back getting a big 31 yard run by Lazarus Fisher and then a 17 yard pass from Williams to Xavier Land to get into the red zone. The defense tightened up holding the Mustangs to minus one yard over the next three plays which led to a 32-yard field goal that was good by Payton Reyes leaving WOU in front at 17-16.

Just when it looked like the teams would go into the break with the score the same, WOU had other ideas. Sitting at the MSU Texas 34 with 15 seconds to play, Currie found Land wide open in the middle of the field. He was able to elude a few tacklers and then received a big block as he broke to the far end of the field as he was able to score with no time remaining and move WOU to the 24-16 lead at halftime.

"It was a great team win on both the defensive and offensive side of the ball. It was great to come and get this win after a tough fight last week and prove to ourselves that we are getting better day in and day out. With Ty Currie doing his thing, as always, it opened up a lot of opportunities for both me and Nico Jackson and the offensive line was dominating in the trenches. The receivers played a big role to both making clutch plays and blocking down field. Our offense is only getting better!" Land said.

MSU Texas received the ball first in the second half and the defense forced a quick three-and-out with Proctor, Jr., getting in the backfield on both pass attempts. The offense capitalized with WOU picking up a big third-and-five deep in Mustang territory when Currie found Wright for eight yards down to the 18. Two plays later, Jackson broke free up the middle for a 17 yard touchdown and a 31-16 lead.

"It was a great game coming back from a loss. Everyone was flying around making plays offensively and defensively," EJ Haag said.

The Wolves defense forced another three-and-out and the offense put the game away with the next drive when they went 88 yards on eight plays, taking almost five minutes off the clock. During the drive, Currie found Land for a 22-yard reception to help setup a 47-yard pass from Currie to Wright for the touchdown and a 37-16 lead with still 3:18 to play in the third quarter.

"It's a great feeling when everything is clicking and running smoothly and you leave the field with a tough win," Wright said.

MSU Texas was able to get a late score to provide the final margin of 37-22. Throughout the remainder of the second half, WOU made several big stops on defense to help seal the victory.

Williams went 13-35 for 202 yards with a touchdown and interception as the WOU defense was able to limit the reigning Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week after he threw for six scores the previous week. Land caught four passes for 101 yards. On the ground, Fisher rushed 10 times for 92 yards with a touchdown and Quinton Childs also added a rushing score.

On defense, Wilkerson led the way with a game-high 11 tackles and added a tackle for loss. Shearman had nine tackles and a tackle for loss.

WOU will hit the road for the final time this regular season when they go to Canada to face Simon Fraser in GNAC play next Saturday, Nov. 2 with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
 
Print Friendly Version