MONMOUTH, OR – Western Oregon University scored 19 fourth quarter points for a come-from-behind 31-14 win over Simon Fraser University, handing the Clan a loss on McArthur Field to open the Kelly Bates era.
 
Simon Fraser quarterback Ryan Stanford tossed a 10-yard touchdown pass to running back Josh Hayden, capping a 13-play drive, giving the Clan a 14-6 lead minutes into the third quarter.
 
The lead was short-lived, however.
 
Western Oregon answered back with a touchdown of its own on its next possession,  a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Trey Shimabukuro  to Daniel Thomas, and then scored another 19 straight points.
 
"I loved the fight we had today but we are not good enough yet to keep it going the entire game," said first-year head coach Kelly Bates after his first game leading the Clan. "We competed hard and had our foot on their throats but we couldn't finish them off."
 
WATCH FOOTBALL HYPE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DIzbMohE94
 
Western Oregon took the lead for good less than a minute into the fourth quarter when running back Wesley Gray scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass, capping a six-play drive.
 
The Wolves were bested in every offensive category on Saturday afternoon, except two – touchdown receptions and the final score. WOU made big play after big play in the second half to defeat Simon Fraser.
 
Three Western Oregon drives in the second half culminated in three touchdown passes of over 20 yards each.
 
The Clan outplayed the Wolves in virtually every offensive category except where it matters most – on the scoreboard. SFU finished with 442 yards of total offence compared to 294 yards by the Wolves.
 
Offensively, Simon Fraser had 23 first downs compared to 16 for WOU; the Clan had 109 yards rushing and 333 yards passing, compared to 61 and 233, respectively, for the Wolves. Simon Fraser also held possession of the ball for almost 40 minutes.
 
Stanford finished the game 33 of 54 for 333 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also added 39 yards on 13 carries. Wide receiver Justin Buren and running back Ante Milanovic-Litre caught seven passes each.  
 
Running back John Hayden rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries and scored twice. He also caught six passes for 82 yards.
 
Shimabukuro threw for 233 yards and three scores to lead the Wolves.
 
The Clan defence was led by Jordan Herdman with 10 tackles and Emmanuel Agbozo and Justin Herdman with eight tackles each.
 
"Our defence held us in it and gave us opportunities to win this game, we just couldn't build off those opportunities," said Bates. "After we built the lead in the third our defence started to tire and started to wear down."
 
Simon Fraser was trailing 6-0 early in the second quarter after WOU's Paul Revis returned a punt 53-yards for the game's first score. Twice the Clan took penalties on the play, and on its third try, gave the Wolves an opportunity to score. The point after attempt was blocked but the Wolves led 6-0.
 
"We fought hard and we didn't quit but we had a few mental breakdowns like the penalties on the punt that really hurt us," said Bates. "We have to work to eliminate those kinds of mistakes."
 
Stanford engineered a nine-play, 70-yard drive that led to a four-yard touchdown run by Hayden.  The drive included a 40-yard pass-and-run play from Stanford to Hayden that brought the Clan to the four-yard line.
 
The Clan entered halftime leading 7-6.
 
The final Wolves touchdown came with less than one minute to play. Simon Fraser marched 70-yards to the Western Oregon 16-yard line but cornerback Danny Hankins intercepted Stanford and returned it 99 yards for a score.
 
Simon Fraser will play its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Swangard Stadium against Azusa Pacfic. It is the Clan's Homecoming Game and the 1965 charter SFU football team will be honoured at halftime. The game will feature food trucks, family activities and entertainment. Kick-off is 6 PM.
 
SFU football season tickets are available by emailing tickets@sfu.ca.