Football hosts Azusa Pacific with chance to clinch share of GNAC title on the line

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University football team will look to make history for the program this Saturday when they have a chance to clinch a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title when they host Azusa Pacific Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at McArthur Field.

WOU finished second in the GNAC in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. Entering this week, the Wolves are tied with Central Washington with both teams 4-1 in conference. With a win over Azusa Pacific, WOU would secure their first-ever share of the conference title. Central Washington plays out of conference this week against Southwest Baptist before finishing the season with a conference game against Simon Fraser.

Last time out, WOU (6-3, 4-1 GNAC) picked up their sixth win of the season with the 45-14 win at Simon Fraser. In the win, Ty Currie accounted for three touchdowns throwing for a pair and rushing for one more. Thomas Wright led the receivers with four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Nate Proctor, Jr., led the way with eight tackles and a sack. Jaylin Parnell was named the GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting six solo tackles and a pair of sacks with one turning into a strip-sack that was returned for a score.

On the season, WOU is averaging over 36 points and allowing over 27 points. The Wolves have picked up 192 first downs and allowed 181. WOU eclipsed the 4,000 total yardage mark this past week and currently sit at 4,214 on 618 plays and have recorded 46 touchdowns. The Wolves also added a pair of defensive scores this past week both off fumble returns. WOU has passed for 2,038 yards and 19 touchdowns, while rushing for 2,181 yards and 25 touchdowns. Opponents have tallied 3,184 yards and 34 touchdowns, throwing for 2,168 yards and 14 touchdown and rushing for 1,051 yards and 19 scores. WOU has been able to pick up key first downs off of fourth downs going 15-27 (56 %) on the year.

Currie has completed 115-214 for 1,983 yards and 18 touchdowns. He holds a 152.79 passer efficiency rating. Thomas Wright has caught 21 passes for 445 yards and four touchdowns. Tyler Reid and Jarren Ford each have 14 receptions with Reid going for 273 yards and a touchdown, while Ford has 254 yards and a pair of scores. Marquis Sampson and Evander Willingham are second on the team in receiving touchdowns with three apiece. On the ground, Omari Land has rushed for 855 yards and eight touchdowns on 141 carries. Nico Jackson has added 627 rushing yards on 119 carries and five touchdowns. Currie leads the rushing attack in touchdowns with nine, running 101 times for 591 yards.

On defense, Nate Proctor, Jr. has a team-high 60 tackles along with 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and three quarterback hurries. Jaylin Parnell is coming off of being named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week after posting 54 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Tyler Wharf gives WOU three players with over 50 tackles checking in at 51 along with three tackles for loss and three passes broken up. Curtis Anderson leads the team in interceptions with five, while Joey Sinclair adds three and Derek Parnell with two. Derek Parnell is among the national leaders in passes broken up with 15.

On special teams, Andrew Gross has punted 30 times for an average of 38.57 yards with a long of 56 yards, six traveling inside the 20 and four traveling over 50 yards with a long of 56 yards. He has gone 3-5 on field goals and is averaging 59 yards on 56 kickoffs. On returns, Reid has nine punt returns for 92 yards. On kickoff returns, Anderson has 23 returns for 469 yards with a long return of 63 yards. Sampson has seven returns for 159 yards with a long of 67 yards. Sinclair is also over 100 yards checking in at 109 yards on four returns with a long of 44 yards.

WOU leads the GNAC and ranks in the top-50 nationally in several categories including leading the GNAC in third down conversions (.398), first in the GNAC and 48th nationally in fourth down conversion percentage (.556), first in the GNAC in fourth down conversions on defense (.429), first in completion percentage (.529), first in the GNAC and 34th nationally in defensive touchdowns (2), first in the GNAC in first downs on defense allowed (181), 38th nationally in first downs on offense (192), first in the GNAC and 48th nationally in passes had intercepted (7), first in the GNAC and 25th nationally in passes intercepted (12), first in the GNAC and eighth nationally in passing yards per completion (17.27), first in the GNAC and third nationally in punt return yards allowed per game (1.0), first in the GNAC and 41st nationally in rushing defense yards allowed per game (116.8), first in the GNAC and 18th nationally in rushing offense per game (242.3), first in the GNAC in scoring defense (27.4), 30th nationally in scoring offense (36.1), first in the GNAC and 38th nationally in tackles for loss allowed (5.22), first in the GNAC and 27th nationally in team passing efficiency (151.52), first in the GNAC and 46th nationally in team passing efficiency on defense (115.18), first in the GNAC and 30th nationally in time of possession (32:04), first in the GNAC in total defense (357.7), 15th nationally in total offense per game (468.8), first in the GNAC in turnovers gained (16) and first in the GNAC and 44th nationally in winning percentage (.667).

Individually, Currie leads the GNAC and 25th nationally in passing efficiency (152.8), 31st nationally in passing touchdowns (18), first in the GNAC and 31st nationally in passing yards (1,983), 42nd nationally in passing yards per game (220.3), first in the GNAC and fourth nationally in passing yards per completion (17.24), first in the GNAC and 12th nationally in points responsible for (166), first in the GNAC and 12th nationally in points responsible for per game (18.4), 31st nationally in rushing touchdowns (9), first in the GNAC and 16th nationally in total offense per game (286) and first in the GNAC and ninth nationally in yards per pass attempt (9.27). Land is 49th nationally in rushing touchdowns (8), 25th nationally in rushing yards (855), 29th nationally in rushing yards per game (95) and 41st nationally in total touchdowns (10). Anderson is first in the GNAC and 44th nationally in combined kick return yards (469), first in the GNAC and ninth nationally in interceptions per game (0.6). Derek Parnell is first in the GNAC and third nationally in passes defended (2.1). Wright is first in the GNAC and 14th nationally in yards per reception (21.19).

In the earlier meeting at Azusa Pacific, WOU picked up the 42-36 victory on Sep. 21. The Wolves rushed for 330 yards and four touchdowns with a trio rushing for over 100 yards. Land led the way with 122 yards and three touchdowns and both Jackson and Currie each ran for 106 yards apiece. Jaylin Parnell led the defense with eight tackles and a half tackle for loss. Tyrell Cummings had seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

Williams, Jr. completed 12-31 for 163 yards and a touchdown, while Catalano went 10-19 for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Adams, Jr., Hursh and Richard-Lewis all caught a touchdown pass. Pickett and Roth led the defense with nine tackles apiece, while Rollins had seven tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Azusa Pacific is 1-7 on the season and 1-4 in GNAC play going 1-3 on the road. Since a 38-12 win on the road at Simon Fraser on Sep. 28, the Cougars have lost four straight including Central Washington (twice), #9 Colorado School of Mines and Simon Fraser. This past week, Azusa Pacific pushed Central Washington before the Wildcats claimed the 27-24 win. Williams, Jr. completed 16-31 for 182 yards and a touchdown, Jackson rushed for 61 yards and Brandon Jackson added six catches for 91 yards and a score. On defense, Frazier had 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and Olgiati added nine tackles.

On the season, Azusa Pacific has averaged 22.63 points and opponents are at 35.50. APU has 142 first downs to 186 for opponents, the Cougars have 2,784 total yards of offense and 22 touchdowns, while opponents have 3,947 yards and 39 touchdowns. APU has 1,969 yards of passing, while opponents have passed for 2,112 yards and 1,862 rushing yards.

Williams, Jr. has completed 92-175 for 1,333 yards and seven touchdowns. Richard-Lewis has caught 24 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Jackson has 27 catches for 352 yards and three touchdowns. Adams, Jr. has 15 catches for 222 yards and a touchdown. Backup quarterback Anthony Catalano leads the team in rushing going for 215 yards on 36 carries and two touchdowns. Gil'Scott Jackson has rushed for 210 yards on 47 carries. Davis has four rushing touchdowns.

Frazier has 57 tackles to lead the defense along with three tackles for loss, a blocked kick and an interception. Siaki Alualu and Ben Sukut each have 50 tackles as Alualu has 4.5 tackles for loss and Sukut has a sack and a pair of interceptions.

On special teams, Jake Gerardi has punted 24 times for an average of 39.21 yards, while Dylan Attridge has punted 18 times for an average of 42.83 yards. Ramzee Jaridly is 10-15 on field goals and is averaging 59.9 yards on 29 kickoffs. On returns, Adam Schwab has returned two punts for 46 yards and Richard-Lewis has four returns for 28 yards. Davis has returned 15 kickoffs for 361 yards and Lamario Howard has returned eight kickoffs for 173 yards.

WOU has gone 6-10 since 2000 against Azusa Pacific, as the teams played just once from 2000 until 2009. The Wolves won the first four games of the series and have gone 2-8 in the last 10 meetings. During the last meeting in Monmouth, APU pulled out the 28-17 victory. The last win for WOU at home over the Cougars came during the 2015 season taking the 17-14 victory. WOU has gone both 3-5 at home and on the road against APU.

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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Players Mentioned

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

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

#81 Jarren Ford: WR; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS

#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

#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

#81 Jarren Ford
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore; RS
: WR

#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

#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