Box Score Burnaby, BC – In their first game under Head Coach Jacques Chapdelaine, the Simon Fraser University football team fell against the Menlo College Oaks, 31-24.
 
"This is our first game of the year, and I think that mistakes will happen. Obviously we want to minimize that and we are dealing with a situation where kids are anxious," said Chapdelaine. "And maybe in wanting to do well, they slipped a bit in terms of football security."
 
Quarterback Ryan Stanford (Phoenix, AZ) threw for 260 yards, notching three touchdowns and two sacks.
 
Leading the rushing effort, Christ Tolbert (Silver Springs, MD) grabbed a net 83 yards. He was followed by Lemar Durant (Coquitlam, BC), who earned a net 19.
 
Durant also topped the receiving charts with 151.
 
Touchdowns were scored by Kyle Kawamoto (North Vancouver, BC), Ante Milanovic-Litre (Vancouver, BC), and Durant.
 
The Clan started the game out strong, maximizing on Chapdelaine's new system of offence.
 
With 12:33 remaining in the first quarter, Eric Murphy (North Bend, WA) picked off a Menlo pass.
 
On the third down of their following offensive drive, quarterback Ryan Stanford (Phoenix, AZ) connected with Kyle Kawamoto for 29 yards, putting SFU on the board 7-0.
 
Menlo attempted to answer minutes later, but an unsuccessful drive for the end zone forced the Oaks to a field goal. Converting a 14 yard attempt, the visitors landed on the board, bringing the score to 7-3 with 5:11 to go in the first.
 
However, the home team slowly saw their lead slip away. Tolbert dropped two consecutive fumbles, resulting in a successful Menlo touchdown drive.
 
By the half, the Clan narrowly trailed 17-14.
 
Three minutes into the third quarter, a pick by defensive back Matt Isherwood (Abbotsford, BC) gave SFU the chance to earn back an edge. Following a 43 yd touchdown from Durant, the home team led 21-17.
 
But, the Oaks continued to fight back, eventually bringing the score to 24-24 with 11:15 remaining in the game.
 
As 1:20 sat on the clock, Menlo made their way to the end zone, breaking the tie and putting the visitors up 31-24.
 
Despite one last chance to drive the ball in, the Clan could not convert to earn the victory.
 
SFU returns to Swangard Stadium on Saturday, September 13 to begin GNAC play, hosting the Western Oregon Wolves at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available for as low as $8.00 by emailing tickets@sfu.ca.
 
"At the end of the day, if we play a little smarter, a little bit better, we can go toe to toe with anyone in our conference," finished Chapdelaine.

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