BURNABY, B.C. – In a thrilling triple overtime game at Terry Fox Field this afternoon, the SFU football team recorded their first victory ever in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, defeating Dixie State College, 62-56. The win will go down in the record books, not only as SFU's first conference victory, but also as the highest-scoring game in GNAC history, as the two teams combined for 118 points.

"For the equation to finally fit, it is very satisfying," said Head Coach Dave Johnson. "I've talked for two years about the quality of our character, and today it was character in action. When it got to overtime, we didn't out-coach anybody. Our kids outplayed their kids, and that is maybe the most satisfying thing."

The Clan came out of the gate quickly using Bo Palmer (North Vancouver, B.C.) early and often as they marched deep into DSC territory on their opening drive.  Palmer had three rushes for 22 yards before Stephen Spagnoulo (Vancouver) carried the ball in from nine yards out to record his first NCAA touchdown and give SFU a 7-0 lead.

On the first play of the next drive, DSC would fumble the ball and give possession right back to the Clan. On the fourth play of a quick drive, Palmer found the end zone to make it 14-0 SFU.

An Ian Sternau (Pasadena, Calif.) field goal late in the first quarter gave SFU what appeared to be a comfortable 17-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Dixie State quarterback Stefan Cantwell would then lead the Red Storm in a comeback during the second quarter.

Early in the second, Cantwell brought the Red Storm to within a few yards of the SFU end zone as DSC tried to cut into the SFU lead.  While the Clan defence stopped DSC's first few attempts to pound the ball into the end zone, they could not stop their third try when Cantwell found the end zone himself on the quarterback draw.  

Dixie State then turned the tables on SFU.  While the Clan capitalized on a Red Storm fumble in the first quarter, the Red Storm took advantage in the second when Derek Jones (Edmonton) turned the ball over on the next Red Storm kick off.

Cantwell then did what Trey Wheeler (Seattle) did for the Clan in the first, orchestrating a quick two play drive and finding the end zone to cut the SFU lead to 17-14.

After the Red Storm touchdown, the Clan briefly switched quarterback's, bringing in Greg Bowcott (Abbotsford, B.C.).  Bowcott led SFU in a long drive that he finished himself, scoring on a one yard quarterback sneak for the touchdown.  

Cantwell played copycat once again late in the half. Leading the Red Storm 12-play, 75-yard drive, Cantwell called his own number with the ball on the four yard line and rushed the ball in for the touchdown, cutting the SFU lead to 24-21 going into halftime.

The Clan would receive the ball first in the second half but could not do anything with their opening drive. Cantwell would then take possession of the ball and give DSC their first lead of the game.  Dixie State took the lead when Cantwell found Caleb Caple who made his way into the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown, making it 28-24 DSC.

The teams started to imitate one another once again in the third quarter.  With five minutes left on the clock, Cantwell started a DSC drive at his own 33-yard line and on the second play of that drive, threw an interception to Nigel Palma (Vancouver).  Wheeler then took the Clan on a four play, 51-yard drive before throwing an interception of his own to give possession back to DSC.

With time winding down in the third, it looked as though SFU may have stopped the Red Storm drive but Cantwell converted on a fourth and seven attempt as time expired in the third quarter.  On the first play of the fourth quarter, he took the ball himself and rushed 20-yards for the score, making it 35-24 DSC.
    
When SFU took possession, they used a couple of inside runs with Palmer and an 18-yard pass to the freshman Pospichil to maneuver down the field. The drive ended with a pass from Wheeler to BJ Bryant (San Francisco) for a 39-yard completion and the touchdown.  

Head Coach Dave Johnson immediately made the decision to go for two to try and pull SFU within a field goal of Dixie State. The Clan brought Bowcott back in at quarterback and he used his size to get in for the conversation, bringing the score to 35-32.  

Cantwell took the ball back after that and continued his impressive game, which was his first start in the NCAA. He used what proved to be a potent passing attack for Dixie State as the Red Storm went on an eight play drive that included three rushing plays and five passing plays. The fifth passing play was a 15-yard strike to Zack Fox for another touchdown, and a 42-32 DSC lead.

Wheeler answered right back for SFU, proving the Clan could pass the ball too. On the sixth play of a drive that featured four passing plays, he found his favorite target through the air, BJ Bryant in the end zone for a 24-yard score, shrinking the Dixie State lead to 42-39.  

With only minutes remaining the freshman Wheeler got the ball back and led the Clan all the way down the field.  It was an impressive drive as he used targets Mathis Baumbach (Duesseldorf, Germany), Pospichil, and Bryant to cut through the Dixie State defence. In thrilling fashion, with only 12.8 seconds remaining, kicker Sternau completed the drive with a 23-yard field goal to tie the game 42-42.

It was then time for SFU's first overtime game in the NCAA.  
    
The Clan started on offence and it only took three plays for them to score as Wheeler found Pospichill in the end zone for a 15 yard strike, making the score 49-42, and meaning that Dixie State would need to match with a touchdown of their own to stay alive.  

Dixie State did just that. Although the SFU defence forced DSC into a fourth and seven, do or die situation, they ultimately couldn't stop the Red Storm offence in the first overtime period.  After converting on fourth down, Cantwell completed a four yard pass to Darren Carter for the touchdown, tying the game at 49 apiece.

In the second overtime, Dixie State started on offence first. On the first play from scrimmage, Cantwell found 6-foot-4 tight end JD Duncan for the 25-yard gain into the end zone, making it 56-49 for the Red Storm.

SFU took a little more time on their second drive in overtime.  On their first three plays of the drive, Wheeler completed a nine yard pass to Bo Palmer, before Palmer carried the ball for a 12 and a three yard rush to get SFU to the DSC one-yard line.  From there, Bowcott came back into the game at quarterback and executed a one yard rush to tie the game for SFU.

In the third overtime period, the Clan started on defense as they forced Dixie State into a fourth and three situation. Cantwell attempted a pass to Cable but it fell incomplete, meaning a touchdown or a field goal would win it for the Clan on their next possession.

It only took two plays for SFU to reach the end zone and it was a familiar face scoring the game winning touchdown. Palmer started with a 12-yard run to bring the Clan to the Dixie State 13-yard line.  Palmer then took the ball one more time and found the end zone with a 13-yard run, giving SFU the 62-56 win and the school's first GNAC football victory ever.



The Clan will follow up their historic win with a trip to Monmouth, Oregon, next Saturday, to face the Western Oregon Wolves. The Wolves are 3-3 on the season and 3-1 in conference play. Game time is 2 p.m.