FB Defense
Amanda Loman
45
Winner Western Ore. WOU 6-3 , 4-1
14
Simon Fraser SFU 1-8 , 1-4
Winner
Western Ore. WOU
6-3 , 4-1
45
Final
14
Simon Fraser SFU
1-8 , 1-4
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WOU Western Ore. 14 14 7 10 45
SFU Simon Fraser 0 7 0 7 14

Game Recap: Football | | Brian Kortz

Football rolls to sixth win of season as defense causes four turnovers at Simon Fraser

BURNABY, B.C. – The defense came up big early and often for the Western Oregon University football team as not only did the Wolves claim a pair of interceptions, they also had a pair of fumble recoveries with two going back for touchdowns as WOU rolled to the 45-14 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory over Simon Fraser Saturday afternoon.

"We made some huge plays when we needed them, as the defense came up with several big stops," head coach Arne Ferguson said. "Not only did the defense do a good job of forcing the turnovers, but being able to take two back for scores was key. Thomas Wright had a really big game receiving and I thought really overall the defense was just very solid. EJ Haag not only had a big play on defense, but he was big on special teams. The offensive line gave great protection for Ty Currie as they brought a lot of pressure and on defense, the line was generating great pressure to allow us to make plays."

Backed by the four forced turnovers, WOU (6-3, 4-1 GNAC) was able to generate a couple of big scores off of those returns to create separation against SFU (1-8, -14 GNAC) with the first TD return stopping a drive in WOU territory and the other coming deep in SFU territory to push the game out of reach.

The defense had several players with big games as Nate Proctor, Jr., led the way in tackles with eight, including four solo. He also added a sack for a loss of eight yards. Jaylin Parnell posted six solo tackles to go along with a pair of sacks for a loss of 21 yards and a forced fumble.
Mack Little added six tackles with one for loss. Tyrell Cummings gave the Wolves four players with at least five tackles checking in right at five. Derek Parnell added an interception, three passes broken up and four solo tackles. Joey Sinclair returned a fumble 47 yards for a touchdown. Blayne Burnett added three tackles, two for loss and a sack. EJ Haag returned the other fumble 15 yards for a score and Curtis Anderson added the other interception.

"I think we played well together today, a lot of players made plays today," Proctor, Jr. said. "Derek Parnell played really well as well as Tyler Wharf and Jaylin Parnell. Both offense and defense handled business today."

On offense, Ty Currie completed 15-25 for 314 yards and two touchdowns. He had a long pass of 48 yards and also rushed five times for 50 yards and a score. Omari Land added 101 yards on the ground on 15 carries including a touchdown. Nico Jackson rushed 11 times for 66 yards and also caught two passes for 46 yards and a score. Thomas Wright was big in the reception game hauling in four passes for 118 yards and a score. Marquis Sampson added two catches for 51 yards.

"Another great team win on the road after a long trip. We played solid in all aspects," Sampson said. "We have another big game at home this week and looking to close out league play on a positive note."

Overall for the game WOU tallied 546 yards on 62 plays while Simon Fraser had 336 yards on 68 plays. WOU had a balanced attack with 314 yards through the air and 232 yards on the ground. The Clan was only able to rush for 35 yards and ended up throwing for 301 yards.
WOU went right to work on the opening drive with Jarren Ford taking the first play and rushing 11 yards. After Currie found Sampson for a 37-yard strike to put the Wolves near the red zone, Land then rushed three straight times with the final one ending in the end zone on an 18-yard carry and a 7-0 lead at the 12:31 mark of the opening quarter.

"Always tough to get a win up here in Canada. Give Simon Fraser credit, they play hard every time we matchup," Currie said. "We started off hot but came out cold in the third quarter which can't happen. After the lull, we were able to push forward and get the job done. Always good to get a win, now it's on to Azusa Pacific to wrap-up the GNAC next week."

Simon Fraser then had a drive going when they marched to the WOU 32, but a muffed snap ended up being recovered by Sinclair and he returned it 47 yards for the touchdown to push WOU out to the 14-0 lead.

"On that play I was blitzing off the edge untouched and saw the snap flew over the quarterback's head and I ran to the ball picked it up and ran," Sinclair said. "I was in the right place at the right time and glad my teammates were able to block for me when it happened."

The teams then traded possessions in the second quarter before Currie found Evander Willingham for a 32-yard strike down to the SFU 18. A 14-yard pass from Currie to Damon Hickok put the ball at the four and then Currie finished it from there with a four-yard rush for the 21-0 lead with 10:07 left to play before halftime.

Following a seven play, 70-yard drive for the Clan to get on the board, the Wolves responded going right back down the field in just five plays. During the drive Land rushed the first two plays for 28 combined yards. After Currie completed a pass for 21 yards, he then found Jackson for a 22-yard TD and a 28-7 lead with just over four minutes to play before the break.

The WOU defense made a stand right before halftime as Simon Fraser got all the way down to the WOU four, but with just three seconds left, they went for a pass that was incomplete to keep the score at 28-7 at halftime.

"It was a great team win with both sides of the ball having big effective plays throughout the game," Burnett said. "The offense did their thing and the defense did theirs and the ultimate outcome when both sides of the ball are clicking is a win. Satisfied with the win, but we always have room to improve."

Another defensive turnover started the scoring for WOU in the third quarter as a sack by Jaylin Parnell resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Haag and returned 15 yards for the touchdown and a 35-7 lead.

"They're a scary team if you don't take them seriously, but we had to lock in as a team to really set the tone early and minimize their big play ability and I feel we did that as the game went on so it worked out for us," Jaylin Parnell said. 

In the fourth quarter the teams traded scores early on. Simon Fraser scored on a seven play, 73-yard drive and then WOU answered right back in just three plays to go 75 yards. Following a short four-yard completion to Willingham, Jackson broke free for a 23-yard run and then Currie found Wright for the 48-yard touchdown to move WOU out to the 42-14 lead.

"Great team win, defense made plays and offense executed. Very proud of our guys," Derek Parnell said.

WOU would add the final score when Andrew Gross converted a 23-yard field goal coming off of an interception by Curtis Anderson for the final score of 45-14.

Brandon Niksich completed 21-37 for 292 yards and a touchdown, along with two interceptions for Simon Fraser. Rysen John caught 11 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Solomon Hines rushed 11 times for 34 yards.

Ian Crocker led the defense with 12 tackles (eight solo), along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Jerrell Cummings and Kolby Buljevic added six tackles apiece.

With the final road trip of the regular season now complete, WOU returns home to host Azusa Pacific this coming Saturday, Nov. 9 and then Eastern New Mexico on Nov. 16 with kickoff set for 1:05 p.m. for both games at McArthur Field.
 
 
 
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