Late Field Goal Lifts Western Oregon over Central Washington, 36-34
Western Oregon watched a 20-point second half lead turn into a one-point deficit, before rallying for a thrilling win.
(MONMOUTH, Ore. ) — Western Oregon University football student-athlete Jesse Correa told reporters following a dramatic 36-34 victory over Central Washington University, that moments like he got Saturday are what players dream of.
Correa nailed a 32-yard field goal with 42 seconds left in regulation to help the Wolves (2-1, 0-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) capture their home-opener over CWU. Western Oregon watched a 20-point second half lead turn into a one-point deficit, before rallying for a thrilling win in front of a large crowd at McArthur Field.
The Western Oregon defense held the Wildcats to just 19 yards on the ground and forced a trio of turnovers. Central Washington finished with 303 yards on offense, while WOU had 348.
For the first time in last 15 years, the Wolves defeated CWU in consecutive meetings. Saturday was the 56th all-time matchup between the rivals. In the first of two meetings this season, this was a non-conference contest, while the Oct. 18 game in Ellensburg will be a GNAC counter.
Western Oregon's Tyrell Williams caught five passes for 119 yards. Three of his five catches were touchdown receptions. Ryan Bergman completed 16 of his 36 passes for 237 yards. The senior threw four touchdown passes, but also a career-high four interceptions. He entered the game with no interceptions this season, and a streak of 130 passes without a pick. Joe Harris gained 52 yards on 24 carries.
The Wolves marched 65 yards in six plays on their opening drive, completed by an 18-yard connection between Bergman and Kamakana Apelu. Eight minutes later, CWU (1-2, 0-0 GNAC) answered with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Jake Nelson to Jordan Todd.
Western Oregon got a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 72-yard score. Williams turned a short slant pass into a 60-yard foot race to the endzone. The duo hooked up again just before halftime on a five-yard touchdown.
Nathaniel Penaranda ran for a 28-yard touchdown with 3:59 remaining in the third quarter to give WOU a 27-7 lead. But, the Wildcats would then reel off 27 of the next 33 points over a 13-minute span. Todd broke several tackles on an 11-yard scamper to close the third quarter.
On the ensuing Western Oregon possession, Matt Miller intercepted a pass and returned it 46 yards for the score. Williams and Bergman then completed a seven-play, 51-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown connection. CWU would score on its next possession, and then get its second pick-six of the day. DeAndre Baines raced 54 yards after intercepting a Bergman pass for the go-ahead score with 3:48 left to play.
The Wolves then went 55 yards in 12 plays over a span of 2:55. After missing an extra point and a 36-yard field goal earlier in the game, Correa split the uprights on the winning 32-yarder.
Nelson threw for a career-high 303 yards. He completed 27-of-47 with a pair of touchdowns and interceptions. Greg Logan caught seven passes for 123 yards. Todd had 29 yards on 14 carries. Mitch Haldane made 16 tackles, while Kevin Haynes had 15.
Shane Kuenzi led the Wolves with 10 tackles. Kraig Akins and Breeon Moreno both had interceptions. Akins had four tackles for loss, with 2.5 sacks. Roger Garrett recovered a fumble. Paul Revis finished with 189 all-purpose yards after totaling 101 on kick returns. Alexander Bradt surpassed 5,500 punting yards in his WOU career during the game.
Western Oregon travels to unbeaten Humboldt State next Saturday. The Lumberjacks (3-0, 0-0) have won their first three games of the season after going 0-11 last season. After routing then-ranked No. 14 Azusa Pacific last week, HSU cruised to a 50-3 road win at Dixie State Saturday. The 38th meeting between WOU and Humboldt State begins at 6:00 p.m. next Saturday.
Source: Western Oregon Athletics
