GOLDEN, Colo. --- The 22nd-ranked Western Oregon football team led early, trailed heading into the fourth quarter and found a way to pick up a key road win at Colorado School of Mines 22-20 Saturday at Marv Kay Stadium in the Wolves' season opener.
WOU jumped out to a 13-0 lead and led 16-7 at the half before the Orediggers returned a fumble for a TD and kicked a field goal within the first five minutes of the second half to put the Wolves behind 17-16.
The deficit appeared it could get worse for WOU as late in the third quarter Mines was driving before
Malik Ross intercepted a pass in the end zone to turn the momentum back in the Wolves' favor.
WOU put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive after the Ross pick - capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from
Jordan McCarty to
Jaydan Burns on third down, Burns' second touchdown reception of the game. The Wolves failed on the two-point conversion and held a 22-17 lead with 10 minutes left in the contest.
A WOU penalty gave the Orediggers strong field position to start the next drive at their own 41 and they drove to the WOU 6 before three straight incomplete passes led to a Mines filed goal to make it 22-20 with 04:57 left in the contest. The Orediggers were forced to throw so much due to having no success running the ball against the Wolves as WOU held Mines to 41 yards rushing on 27 attempts (1.5 yard per carry).
The Wolves offense got a boost on the first play of their next drive with
Jermaine Land breaking through the middle for a 41-yard gain down to the Mines 34.
From there, WOU ate clock with six straight runs before a Mines personal foul penalty on third down gave the Wolves a game-clinching first down.
The Wolves' ground game came through with 197 yards on 39 carries (5.1 yards per attempt) with
Tyler Konold leading the team with 71 yards. Land finished with 69 yards on six carries.Â
McCarty finished 14-for-29 for 146 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 17 yards. Burns had a team-high three receptions for 36 yards as eight different Wolves caught a pass in the game.
The WOU defense shined, allowing just 273 yards of offense.
Ross led the team with eight tackles to go along with the key interception.
Nijawn Sterling had seven tackles while
Adrian Mashia Jr. finisehd with six tackles.
Daniel Cooper and
Jayden Brannan each had a sack for the Wolves.
WOU returns to action next Saturday at Southern Oregon - kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
