Football hosts Eastern New Mexico for Senior Day and Military Appreciation this Saturday

MONMOUTH, Ore. – With a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title already in hand, the Western Oregon University football team will look to close the 2019 regular season strong when they host Eastern New Mexico this Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at McArthur Field. It will also be Senior Day for the 12 seniors, as well as Military Appreciation Day. All active duty, reserve and veterans with a valid military I.D. will get in free.

WOU (7-3) will honor their 12 seniors before the game. Later in the article, read more about the careers of each senior during their time playing for the Wolves.

The Wolves are coming off of a thrilling 23-21 win over Azusa Pacific that went right down to the last play when Nate Proctor, Jr., came up with the game-saving play when he blocked the potential game-winning field goal. In the process it secured the first share of a GNAC title for the Wolves in school history.

In addition to Proctor, Jr.'s big block to earn him GNAC Player of the Week honors, Ty Currie also took home weekly honors for the third time this year. WOU never trailed, but Azusa Pacific certainly didn't make things easy. The Cougars fought back to tie the game on two different occasions then put together a late drive to try and steal the victory. Currie opened the scoring with a 22-yard TD pass to Marquis Sampson and later pushed the lead to 14-7 when he rushed it in from five yards out. A key safety in the fourth quarter ended up being the point different in the game as after Nico Jackson rushed it in from six yards out to push the lead to 23-14, Azusa Pacific would make a last push scoring with just over two minutes left before setting up the final field goal try.

Currie passed for 157 yards and rushed for an incredible 178 yards. He accounted for a pair of touchdowns. The rushing attack again led the way with WOU rushing for 349 yards with Omari Land adding 96 yards and Jackson with 79. On the other side of the ball, the defense was dominant in the ground game limiting the Cougars to just seven total yards on 19 attempts. The Wolves also recorded four sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

This season, WOU is averaging 34.80 points per game while allowing 26.80. They've picked up 17 more first downs (218-201) than the opposition and hold a strong 4,720-3,544 edge in total offense having run 693 plays to 674 for opponents. It's been a balanced attack for WOU gaining 2,195 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for 2,530 yards and 27 touchdowns. The Wolves continue to add to their time of possession advantage (32:46-27:13) and have converted 52 third downs and 16 fourth downs this year. Opponents have gained 2,521 yards through the air and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 1,058 yards and 19 touchdowns. Opponents have picked up 49 third downs and eight fourth downs.

Currie has completed 127-230 for 2,140 yards and 19 touchdowns. He holds a 153.68 passer efficiency rating. He has also rushed for 769 yards on 123 carries and leads the team with 10 touchdowns. Land leads the rushing attack going for 951 yards on 162 carries and eight touchdowns. Jackson adds 706 rushing yards on 132 attempts and six scores. Thomas Wright has caught 23 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns, while Sampson has 18 catches for 298 yards and four touchdowns. Three others have over 200 yards in Tyler Reid (273), Jarren Ford (272) and Justice Murphy (240). Evander Willingham is third on the team in receiving touchdowns with three.

On defense, Proctor, Jr. continues to lead the way with 63 tackles, 36 solo, along with eight tackles for loss, five sacks, a pass broken up, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and the big blocked kick. Jaylin Parnell is right behind with 58 total tackles, with 40 coming solo. He also leads the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 and sacks with 6.5. In addition he has an interception, a pass broken up, a quarterback hurry and three forced fumbles. Tyler Wharf is third on the team with 56 tackles, 33 solo and has three passes broken up. Tyrell Cummings is third on the team in sacks with 4.5 and has eight tackles for loss. Curtis Anderson leads the team in interceptions with five, while Joey Sinclair adds three and both Braelen Evans and Derek Parnell have two apiece. Derek Parnell remains amongst the nation's best in passes defended with 15.

In special teams, Andrew Gross has punted 31 times for an average of 38.52 with a long of 56 yards, four traveling over 50 yards and six landing inside the 20. He has gone 3-6 on field goal attempts and has averaged 58.9 yards on 60 kickoffs. On returns, Reid has taken nine punts back for 92 yards with a long of 26 yards. Anderson has returned 25 kickoffs for 518 yards with a long of 63 yards. Sampson has eight returns for 188 yards with a long of 67 yards and Sinclair adds four returns for 109 yards with a long of 44 yards.

WOU ranks in the top-50 nationally and leads the GNAC in multiple categories including first in the GNAC in third down conversions (.397), first in fourth down conversions (.516), first in completion percentage (.544), first and 43rd nationally in defensive touchdowns (2), first in first downs allowed on defense (201), 29th nationally in first downs on offense (218), first in the GNAC in kickoff return yards per game (21.31), first in passes that have been intercepted (8), 32nd nationally in passes intercepted (13), first in the GNAC and eighth nationally in passing yards per completion (16.88), first in the GNAC and third nationally in punt return yards allowed per game (1.0), first in the GNAC and 27th nationally in rushing defense yards allowed per game (105.8), first in the GNAC and 16th nationally in rushing offense per game (253), first in the GNAC in scoring defense points allowed per game (26.8), 36th nationally in scoring offense points per game (34.8), first in the GNAC and 34th nationally in tackles for loss allowed per game (5.10), first in the GNAC and 26th nationally in team passing efficiency (152.46), first in the GNAC and 15th nationally in time of possession (32:47), first in the GNAC in total defense (357.9), 14th nationally in total offense per game (472.5) and first in the GNAC and 35th nationally in winning percentage (.700).

Individually, Currie leads the GNAC in passing efficiency (153.7) and ranks 23rd nationally, leads in passing yards (2,140), ranking 32nd nationally, passing yards per completion which also ranks fifth nationally (16.85), points responsible for (178), good for 14th nationally, total offense (290.9), which is good for 14th nationally and in yards per pass attempt (9.30), which is good for 10th nationally. He also ranks high in several other categories including second in the GNAC and 32nd nationally in passing touchdowns (19), 45th nationally in passing yards per game (214), second in the GNAC and 15th nationally in points responsible for per game (17.8), second in the GNAC and 27th nationally in rush yards per carry (6.25), second in the GNAC and 35th nationally in rushing touchdowns (10). Land ranks second in the GNAC and 28th nationally in rushing yards (951), second in the GNAC and 30th nationally in rushing yards per game (95.1). Anderson leads the GNAC and is 48th nationally in combined kick return yards (518), second in the GNAC and 18th nationally in interceptions per game (0.5). L.J. Lovelace is tied for first in the GNAC and tied for 25th nationally in fumbles recovered (2). Derek Parnell is first in the GNAC and fifth nationally in passes defended per game (1.9). Thomas Wright is first in the GNAc and 18th nationally in yards per reception (20.65).
Last year, WOU and ENMU met for the first time in Portales with the Greyhounds taking the 19-14 victory. WOU fought back twice to tie the game, first at seven on a rushing score by Jackson and then at 14 on an 11-yard pass from Currie to Willingham. ENMU then tallied a field goal and safety to take a five-point lead and held the Wolves just short on a late drive into the red zone.

Eastern New Mexico enters with a 6-4 overall record and 4-4 mark in the Lone Star Conference. Recently they picked up a big upset win over #21 Angelo State taking the 20-17 overtime win in Portales. Other similar opponents that both WOU and ENMU have played this year include Midwestern State who ENMU defeated on the road (27-24), Texas A&M-Kingsville at home (48-34) and then at nationally-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce falling (27-45).

The Greyhounds feature a triple option/wing t run heavy attack piling up 3,703 yards on the ground and 31 touchdowns. They've passed for just 725 yards and six touchdowns compiling 4,428 total yards of offense and 39 touchdowns. Eastern New Mexico averages 31.10 points and allow 33.40, with the opposition tallying 3,639 total yards of offense and 45 touchdowns, throwing for 2,099 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,540 yards and 19 touchdowns.

On the ground, five players have rushed for over 300 yards with Paul Terry leading the way with 1,681 yards on 292 carries and 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Wyatt Strand adds 834 yards on 183 carries and 11 touchdowns. Johnny Smith (348 yards), Justin Manyweather (321 yards) and Darryl Wiggins (306 yards) have also rushed for over 300 yards. Strand has completed 56-107 yards and 687 yards with six touchdowns and seven interceptions. Zachary Fields has caught 22 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, Lamontre Huval leads the way with 69 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and both a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Noah Sweitzer adds 65 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, an interception, four passes broken up and both a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Mazin Richards has 11.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Charles Countee and Vicen'te Walker each have a pair of interceptions.

On special teams, Tyler Vargas has punted 31 times for 39.58 yards with a long of 54 yards, three traveling over 50 yards and seven landing inside the 20. He has gone 13-17 on field goals with a long of 47 yards and averages 52.1 yards on 57 kickoffs. Manyweather has returned six punts for 94 yards, Smith has returned 11 kickoffs for 191 yards and Carter has seven kickoff returns for 176 yards.

Below is information on all twelve of the WOU seniors.

Ty Currie will play in his 20th game for WOU this Saturday and is putting together a career season. Overall for his career he has completed 218-389 for 3,293 yards and 30 touchdowns. He has been just as dangerous on the ground rushing 196 times for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns. This season alone Currie has completed 127-230 for 2,140 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has also rushed 123 times for 769 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is just one rushing touchdown away from tying for the team record in the NCAA Division II era for rushing touchdowns with 11. Currie threw for over 300 yards in two different games with a high of 314 at Simon Fraser. He has gone for at least 200 yards in six games and has thrown for multiple touchdowns in six games with a high of four at home against Central Washington. On the ground he has rushed for a trio of touchdowns on two different occasions, has a rushing score in six games and has gone for over 100 yards in three different games including a high of 178 yards at home against Azusa Pacific. Currie has earned GNAC Player of the Week honors on three different occasions. Currie leads the GNAC and ranks in the top-50 nationally in multiple categories including first in the GNAC and 23rd nationally in passing efficiency (153.7), 32nd nationally in passing touchdowns (19), first in the GNAC and 32nd nationally in passing yards (2,140), 45th nationally in passing yards per game (214), first in the GNAC and fifth nationally in passing yards per completion (16.85), first in the GNAC and 14th nationally in points responsible for (178), 15th nationally in points responsible for per game (17.8), 27th nationally in rush yards per carry (6.25), 35th nationally in rushing touchdowns (10), first in the GNAC and 14th nationally in total offense (290.9) and first in the GNAC and 10th nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.30).

Braelen Evans joined WOU this season from Montana State and has started every game this year at defensive back tallying 33 tackles, 26 solo, a tackle for loss, two interceptions returned for 35 yards and eight passes broken up. He has at least five tackles in four games going for a high of six against nationally-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce at home. He recorded a big interception in the game against Azusa Pacific to help WOU to clinch a share of the GNAC title when his interception early in the second half stopped a big drive and helped change momentum for the Wolves.

Tyrell Cummings transferred from Central Oklahoma this season and has started every game along the defensive line. He has been among the team leaders in sacks throughout the season with 4.5 going for a high of 1.5 in the win over Azusa Pacific at home. Cummings has gone for four or more tackles in four games this season posting a high of seven in the win at Azusa Pacific and also forced a fumble in that same game.

Joseph Gonzales has played in 35 games for the Wolves including this Saturday starting each of the past three seasons along the offensive line. Dating back to his first full time action on the field as a sophomore, he helped the team pile up 4,060 total yards of offense including 2,900 in passing and 1,160 on the ground. WOU threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for 13 scores that season. During his junior season in 2018, the Wolves tallied 3,564 yards of total offense including 1,899 passing and 1,665 yards rushing and 26 total touchdowns with 19 through the air. This season he has starting every game in helping the team put up big offensive numbers as the Wolves are pushing for 5,000 total yards of offense entering today currently at 4,720 and 47 touchdowns. WOU has put together a balanced attack that has included 2,195 yards passing and 2,530 yards rushing, picking up 27 rushing touchdowns. The 27 rushing touchdowns already surpassed the school record in the NCAA Division II era (since 2000) that was at 19 from back in 2006. The 2,530 rushing yards is also a new record during that span as well. He was an All-GNAC honorable mention selection in 2018.

Court Hammond became a regular on the team during the 2018 season and saw action for the Wolves since his freshman season. Entering this Saturday's game he will have played in 23 games throughout his career compiling 38 total tackles, 16 solo, along with 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three passes defended and a forced fumble. This year Hammond has multiple tackles in six games going for three in a game on three different occasions. He was named to the All-GNAC second team last year.

Nico Jackson has become a key contributor for the Wolves this year as Jackson has played in 16 games counting this Saturday with WOU after transferring in before his junior season. For his career at WOU he has 178 carries for 947 yards and seven touchdowns, while adding 11 receptions for 82 yards and a TD. This season alone Jackson has carried 132 times for 706 yards and six touchdowns. He also has eight receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. He's rushed for over 50 yards in eight games and has rushed for 90 or more yards in three games going for a season-high 106 yards at Azusa Pacific. He rushed for a pair of touchdowns on two occasions versus Simon Fraser and Midwestern State. He caught two passes for 46 yards and a score at Simon Fraser.

Anthony Kennison will play in his 13th career game for the Wolves this Saturday after transferring in before his junior season. For his career he has 13 tackles, six solo. This season he has seen action in 10 games, posting 12 tackles, five solo, with a high of four tackles in the season opener at Angelo State. He also added a pair of tackles at Azusa Pacific.

Derek Parnell earned second team All-GNAC honors last year and has played every game of his Wolves career as he will play in his 43rd career game this Saturday. For his career with the Wolves he has posted 114 tackles, 89 solo, four interceptions, 33 passes defended, a sack and both a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Parnell ranks first in the GNAC and fifth nationally in passes defended per game. This season he has started every game with 31 total tackles, 27 solo, 15 passes defended and two interceptions. He has five games with at least four tackles, going for a high with nine this past game against Azusa Pacific. Parnell has a pass breakup in nine games, swatting away four versus nationally-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce.

Nate Proctor, Jr. has been one of the top linebackers each of the past two seasons for the Wolves. He has played his entire career at WOU compiling 175 total tackles, 93 solo, 27.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, five forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, five passes defended, one interception and one blocked kick while playing in 33 games. He will play his 34th game for the Wolves Saturday. This season Proctor, Jr., has played in 10 games totaling 63 tackles, 36 solo, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, a forced fumble, three quarterback hurries, a pass broken-up and a blocked kick that clinched a share of the GNAC title for the Wolves. He's posted at least five tackles in eight games this season going for a high of 10 at home against Central Washington. Proctor, Jr., has a full tackle for loss in six games, with a high of two against nationally-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce, a full sack in four games and forced a fumble against Central Washington. He was named to the GNAC honorable mention team last year.

Tyler Reid played his one and only season for the Wolves this year after transferring in before the season. He's played in every game this season coming away with 14 catches for 273 yards and a touchdown. He also has nine punt returns for 92 yards and has completed two passes for 50 yards and a touchdown against Simon Fraser. He also has a pair of rushing attempts for 14 yards. Reid caught two passes for 61 yards in the season opener at Angelo State and added three catches for 50 yards and a touchdown versus Simon Fraser.

Joey Roos will play in his 32 game for the Wolves this Saturday and has compiled 70 tackles, 44 solo, along with an interception, five passes defended, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. This season he has played in eight games coming away with seven tackles, three solo. He collected two tackles at Central Washington and most recently against Azusa Pacific.

Aaron Turner will play his 37th career game for the Wolves this Saturday and has been a regular along the offensive line since 2017, starting each of the past two seasons at tackle. Dating back to his first full time action on the field as a sophomore, he helped the team pile up 4,060 total yards of offense including 2,900 in passing and 1,160 on the ground. WOU threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for 13 scores that season. During his junior season in 2018, the Wolves tallied 3,564 yards of total offense including 1,899 passing and 1,665 yards rushing and 26 total touchdowns with 19 through the air. This season he has starting every game in helping the team put up big offensive numbers as the Wolves are pushing for 5,000 total yards of offense entering today currently at 4,720 and 47 touchdowns. WOU has put together a balanced attack that has included 2,195 yards passing and 2,530 yards rushing, picking up 27 rushing touchdowns. The 27 rushing touchdowns already surpassed the school record in the NCAA Division II era (since 2000) that was at 19 from back in 2006. The 2,530 rushing yards is also a new record during that span as well. He saw action in five games during the 2016 season leading the team to 3,389 yards of offense and 28 touchdowns, with 2,514 yards passing with 20 touchdowns.

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.

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