MONMOUTH, Oregon --- It's game week for Western Oregon football! Each day before game day we are previewing a part of the Wolves' squad for the 2022 season - which started with special teams Monday and continues with the defense today and the offense Wednesday.

DEFENSE
The Western Oregon 3-4 defense allowed 29.4 points and 323.1 yards per game a year ago and looks to take a step forward in 2022.

Up front on the defensive line, sophomore Hector Cazares (6-3, 290) and junior transfer Noa Aluesi (6-7, 265) will get the start at the defensive end spots while freshman Sam Stowers (6-3, 330) is slated to start at nose tackle. Cazares as a freshman played in all 10 games and finished with 15 tackles and a sack while Aluesi transfers from Mt. San Antonio. Also expect to see senior LJ Lovelace (6-1, 240), freshman JJ Tofaeono (6-1, 245), Joseph Northcutt (6-4, 240) and Elijasah Green (6-1, 335) to see time at defensive end while Rocky Mataia (6-2, 310) and Gio Antonini (6-2, 255) will see time at nose tackle.

At the two inside linebacker, senior Jaylin Parnell (6-0, 215) and redshirt freshman Malcolm Liufau (6-2, 210) are expected to start with sophomores James Duane (6-2, 210), Mason Brown (6-3, 220) and Garrett Olson (6-4, 215) also in the mix. Parnell led the Wolves last season in tackles (78), tackles for loss (17) and sacks (8.5) while also adding five quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

At outside linebacker, sophomore Anthony Mack Jr. (6-0, 195) and junior Isaiah Abraham (6-1, 205) will get the start with junior Simon Thompson (6-1, 215) and sophomore Kamahoi Sanchez (5-8, 180) also seeing time. Mack as a freshman was sixth on the team with 33 tackles to go along with three sacks.

In the defensive backfield at safety will be two veteran presences in redshirt seniors Ryan Minniti (5-10, 185) and Joey Sinclair (6-0, 180). Minniti was second on the team in tackles with 57 to go along with three pass breakups and three quarterback hurries while Sinclair was third on the team in tackles with 49 and tied fro the team lead in interceptions with three. Also seeing at time safety will be redshirt freshmen Jacob Pollock (5-11, 185) and Dawson Muggy (6-0, 180).

On the outside at corner, senior Machiah Lee (5-11, 180) and sophomore Daron Ulrich Jr. (6-0, 180) will start for the Wolves. Lee had 42 tackles (fifth on the team), an interception and a team-best seven pass breakups while Ulrich had 21 tackles and four pass breakups. Also at corner will be junior transfer Tyquan Coleman (5-11, 180), junior Luis Vicino (6-1, 175) and sophomore Jack Reese (6-2, 165).