GOLDEN, Colo. – Playing against one of the top teams in the nation, it was a tough opening game draw for the Western Oregon University football team Thursday night. No. 10 Colorado Mines tallied 14 points in the first quarter and never looked back in defeating the Wolves 42-3 inside Marv Kay Stadium in Golden.
Ryan Worthley threw for 222 yards in his first start for the Wolves, completing 20-32. He had a long pass of 42 yards to Thomas Wright. Wyatt Harsh made his debut throwing for 41 yards as he completed 6-8. Omari Land rushed for 30 yards to lead the rushing attack. Eight receivers caught a pass with Justice Murphy leading the way with four catches for 70 yards. Wright added four receptions for 61 yards. Marquis Sampson had the most catches with six.
Ryan Minniti led the defense with 10 tackles, including six solo stops. Kenny Brown added six tackles. Jaylin Parnell had two tackles for loss, while adding a sack. L.J. Lovelace and Mack Little also tallied sacks. Billy Nelson recorded the first interception of the season for the Wolves.
Daniel Cossette connected on his first collegiate field goal from 22 yards out early in the second quarter.
Early on, the WOU defense came through with a big stop out near midfield on the opening drive of the game.
After Andrew Gross boomed a 65-yard punt to put the Orediggers back deep in their own territory, Colorado Mines would go on a 16 play, 89-yard drive for the first points of the game and a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Mines' defense came through with a strip-sack on the next WOU possession to set the offense up already in the red zone and a first-and-goal. Two plays later, a TD pass pushed the lead to 14-0.
Starting at the WOU 37, the Wolves got a drive going to tally their first points of the season. Land broke free for a big 25-yard run to the Mines' 10. After the Orediggers kept the Wolves out of the end zone, Cossette connected on a 22-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 14-3.
Colorado Mines kept the pressure coming over the remainder of the half scoring three touchdowns to take a 35-3 lead into halftime.
The Orediggers tallied the only points with a touchdown in the third quarter to move in front 42-3.
Nelson denied a scoring drive early in the fourth quarter with an interception near the end zone.
WOU put together a lengthy drive following that interception that included a fourth down conversion to get all the way down to the Mines' 39. Faced with another fourth down, an incompletion ended the 55-yard drive on downs.
The Wolves had another drive going in Oredigger territory before the game ended with Mines claiming the victory.
John Matocha completed 19-31 for 179 yards and three touchdowns to lead Colorado Mines. Michael Zeman rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Johnston caught four passes for 51 yards and a score, while Zeman added three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Mason Pierce led the way with five tackles. As a team, Mines tallied four sacks, two forced fumbles and both a blocked punt and interception.
Overall, Colorado Mines outgained WOU 359-264, with the big stat being rushing yards as the Orediggers rushed for 180 yards to 1 yard for the Wolves. WOU passed for 263 yards to 179 for the Orediggers.
WOU will remain on the road next week as they will play at Texas A&M-Kingsville on Saturday, Sep. 11 with kickoff set for 5 p.m. (Pacific).
