BURNABY, B.C. -- It was a day 56 years in the making for Simon Fraser University.

The new SFU Stadium at Terry Fox Field, the first permanent on-campus stadium for football, soccer and track and field, hosted its first football game Saturday. A crowd of over 1,200 fans showed up for the celebration.

"I'm almost at a loss for words," said Theresa Hanson, SFU's Senior Director, Athletics & Recreation. "It was a great night, it was a historic night. Everyone I spoke to today had a smile on their face, they were so proud. And they stayed despite the delay, and had a great time. That's all we can ask for. It was such a neat thing seeing football alumni connect with their former teammates, and coaches.

A huge shoutout to our students, to our alumni who came back, and to all those who came tonight to celebrate the new stadium with us. A huge shoutout as well to our staff, who did such a great job to make this all happen today. See you next week."



Those watching were entertained by an exciting contest, eventually won by the Central Washington Wildcats 36-14 over the hosts.

The game had a bit of everything, including an hour-long delay because of thunder and lightning near the end of the first quarter.

"When there was a delay, we didn't really expect people to come back, but the support we got shows the community we have is backing us and supporting us no matter what we go through. It was such a surreal feeling to see that," said senior linebacker Griffin Barrett.

SFU (0-3) led 14-8 before CWU (2-1) scored 28 unanswered points to escape Burnaby Mountain with the win. The Wildcats were the unanimous pick to win the league in the 2021 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Preseason Football Coaches Poll.

"SFU is a team that has bought in, a team of players who want to be there for each other," remarked Barrett on his team's progress in 2021. "There's a coaching staff that's here and putting in work. When you have a coaching staff that shows they care, you'll have players who will follow and fight for you. These guys just don't want to quit and I think that has shown in every game we've played."

Quarterback Justin Seiber completed 23 of 50 passes for SFU with one touchdown and one interception. Nine of those passes went to Riley Morrison, who recorded 76 yards. Glover had 28 yards on four rushes. Defensively, Kolby Buljevic had 10.5 tackles including two for losses, and Barrett had 8.5 with one for a loss.

CWU's Rashaad Boddie had a night to remember with 25 rushes for 279 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback JJ Lemming went was 14-of-31 passing, good for 147 yards.

After a touchdown by the Wildcats within the first minute, SFU responded by forcing a turnover deep in CWU territory. With 2:27 left in the first quarter, senior lineman Isaac Evans recovered a fumble at the Wildcats' 12-yard line, setting up a Seiber to Robert Meadors touchdown connection two plays later.

On the ensuing drive, a loud crack of thunder boomed across the stadium, forcing both teams off the field for about 60 minutes.

SFU took the lead coming out of the stoppage as junior Mason Glover ran 18 yards for a touchdown just 2:41 into the second quarter. The drive went six plays and covered 71 yards. Kristie Elliott's convert made it 14-8 for the hosts.
 

Less than two minutes later, CWU responded with a touchdown of its own, a 38-yard score from receiver Tony Archie, who leapt high into the air to catch the pass from Quincy Glasper. That score allowed the Wildcats to take a slim 15-14 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats added to their lead on the first drive of the third quarter as Boddie capped off a seven-play, 77-yard drive with a 28-yard rushing touchdown.

They threatened to score again late in the period, but SFU sophomore Drew Nicholson intercepted a Glasper pass at his own 25, and returned it 27 yards into opposition territory.

The visitors two touchdowns in the fourth. One on their first drive, and the final score - an 87-yard dash by Boddie - with just under two minutes left. SFU had driven into the red zone but turned the ball over on a fumble recovered by the Wildcats at their 10-yard line.

"There's a lot to learn from tonight, and we're going to get back to the film room and get back to practice on Monday," said Griffin. "Our next target is Western Oregon and that's who we're going to prepare for and excited to play next week.

SFU will have its Senior Night next Saturday, Sept. 25 when it hosts Western Oregon at 6 p.m.

--@SFU_Athletics--