MONMOUTH, Ore. – The SFU Clan football team lost to the Western Oregon Wolves for the second time this season this afternoon, dropping a 34-10 decision. The win improves Western Oregon's record to 4-3 on the year (4-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference) while the Clan drop to 2-5 with the loss (1-5 in the GNAC).
SFU also lost a tightly contested game the first time these teams met in September at Terry Fox Field, falling 35-28.
In the two teams' first meeting, the strong arm of Wolves quarterback Evan Mozzochi propelled Western Oregon to victory. Mozzochi had another great day for the Wolves this afternoon, throwing for 226 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
The scoring started with a Mozzochi seven yard touchdown scramble early in the first quarter. It was the only play of the scoring drive. Western Oregon missed the conversion.
In the second quarter the Clan answered back in a big way with an 80 yard Tore Corrado (Vancouver) touchdown reception and thanks to a successful extra point attempt, SFU led 7-6.
The Clan took the 7-6 lead into halftime.
The Wolves started off quick in the second half via a 47 yard pass completion from Mozzochi to Trevor Gates. Kenneth Haynes capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to give the Wolves a 13-6 lead.
On the next possession, Clan quarterback Trey Wheeler (Seattle) orchestrated a 14 play drive that took SFU into the Western Oregon red zone. They couldn't punch the ball into the end zone though and SFU had to settle for a 22 yard field goal by Ian Sternau (Pasadena, Calif.).
The fourth quarter began with stalled SFU drive and Western Oregon then took advantage.
On their first drive of the quarter, Mozzochi would find Trevor Gates in the end zone for a 29 yard score to make it 20-10 for Western Oregon.
After a Bo Palmer (North Vancouver, B.C.) fumble the Wolves took possession with good field position and capitalized on it. Wolves runningback Kenneth Haynes went on a 10 yard run for the touchdown, making it 27-10 for the Wolves.
SFU's fourth quarter struggles continued on the next possession when Wheeler threw an errant pass that was intercepted by Wolves defensive back Bryve Peila.Peila returned the pick for 42 yards and another WOU touchdown, making it 34-10 for the Wolves, which would hold up as the final score.
Evan Mozzochi went 17-23 for 216 yards and a touchdown. Haynes rushed for 68 yards and two touchdowns and Gates had a big day in the air with eight receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown.
SFU quarterback Wheeler also had a good day, going 26 for 38 for 286 yards and a touchdown. Palmer rushed for 43 yards on 16 attempts and Corrado led all SFU receivers with a career high of five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown.
The Clan's next game is Saturday, October 22 against the Southern Oregon Raiders in Ashland, Ore. Game time is 2 p.m.
