MONMOUTH, Oregon --- The Western Oregon football team statistically dominated except for the score as the Wolves fell to UT Permian Basin 27-24 Saturday afternoon at McArthur Field.
The Wolves (1-3, 0-2) nearly doubled the Falcons' (2-2, 1-1) yardage output - 554-288 - but a pair of defensive touchdowns for UTPB were the difference in the contest.
Following a scoreless first quarter, the Wolves jumped out on top 3-0 after a Daniel Cossette 35-yard field goal and added to it three minutes later with a 73-yard touchdown pass from
Gannon Winker to
London Smalley to make it 10-0.
But UTPB answered with a touchdown on its next possession then on a punt attempt, UTPB's Jamil PIttman caused the WOU punter to fumble and picked it up and scored to make it 14-10 Falcons with 2:59 remaining in the half.
The Falcons increased the lead to 21-10 early in the second half before Winker hit
Damon Hickok near the sideline and the junior made moves and did the rest for a 51-yard touchdown reception to make it 21-17 with 2:31 left in the third quarter.
The Wolves had their chances from that point on to take the lead, but with under a minute left Winker was intercepted by Hayden Kelly who took it the distance 55 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach at 27-17.
WOU scored quickly - capped by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Winker to
Logan Reese over the middle with three seconds left - but couldn't recover the onside kick to give itself one last chance.
Winker finished 20-for-43 for 367 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Hickok had a big game with five catches for 134 yards and a score.
Omari Dixon-Land had another big game on the ground with 127 yards rushing on 24 carries to go along with three catches for 21 yards.
Jaylin Parnell led another strong defensive effort by the Wolves with 10 tackles (eight solo) while
Machiah Lee and
Joey Sinclair had seven apiece and
Simon Thompson added six.
James Duane had all three of his tackles for a loss, including a sack while
Tyquan Coleman had three tackles, two pass breakups and an interception.
The Wolves return to action next Saturday as they host Angelo State.
