BURNABY, B.C. – The Simon Fraser Red Leafs football team lost 40-7 at home to Central Washington Saturday afternoon in its 2022 NCAA season opener and Lone Star Conference debut.
 
On the strength of a 28-point second quarter, the Wildcats took a 34-0 lead into the half. The Red Leafs outscored CWU 7-6 after the break, holding the visitors to a pair of field goals. Using a balanced attack, the Wildcats recorded 551 yards of total offence (282 rushing and 273 passing), compared to 154 for the hosts.
 
The SFU touchdown came from senior Ethan Beselt, who was playing in his first game since the 2019 season. The receiver from Kelowna, B.C., and junior quarterback Justin Seiber connected on a 61-yard catch-and-run touchdown on the Red Leafs' opening possession of the second half. It was the longest reception of Beselt's career.
 
"It was a wheel route to me, Sam Davenport occupied the safety for me, so that kind of got me wide open to go," said Beselt, who finished the day as SFU's leading receiver with 91 yards on four catches. "I haven't been in the end zone here in a while, so it felt pretty good to get into the end zone in the first game back for me. Just had my guys behind me doing what they had to do because they made it all happen. As soon as I got that ball, I knew I was running."
 
On the ensuing drive, junior defensive back Jerrell Cummings of the Red Leafs had the game's lone interception, as he picked off a Quincy Glasper pass at the SFU 2-yard line to end Central Washington's scoring threat.
 

"It comes down to us making plays, and being consistent. We had our chances," said SFU head coach Mike Rigell. "We have to tighten up some things on offence, up front. We have guys up there giving everything they have but right now, we're still banged up and missing some bodies. I'm proud they didn't quit, they didn't give up, and continued to fight. We're going to learn from the analysis of the game film."
 
CWU running back Te'jon Henderson opened the scoring Saturday with a 38-yard touchdown run in the first minute. In the second quarter, the Wildcats posted a couple of two-yard rushing scores, from Glasper and Henderson. Glasper then added 17- and 26-yard TD passes to Darius Morrison at 11:18 and Payton Glasser at 13:34 just before halftime.
 
Henderson had two touchdowns and 96 yards rushing for the Wildcats. Glasper threw for 231 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 12-of-22 passing. He also ran in a touchdown.
 
SFU's Seiber completed eight of his 18 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Somto Anyadike had 43 yards on 19 rushes. A number of players from Rigell's impressive recruiting class made their university debuts Saturday. Reigning BC high school Triple-A Player of the Year Aiden Domino got on the stat sheet with his first catch at the NCAA level, a 27-yard reception in the final period.
 
Junior defensive back Evan Currie was involved on six tackles (four solo and two assisted) for the Red Leafs. Sophomore defensive back Johari Hastings and junior defensive lineman Evan Nolli both had three solo tackles and three assisted tackles. Jacob Wade – a junior linebacker – made three solo tackles and helped on two others. Junior linebacker Drew Nicholson had a pair of unassisted tackles and four assisted ones.
 
"We did some really good things, there are a lot of things to be proud of and a lot to clean up. I'm just excited to get back to work for next week," said defensive lineman Tank Brewster, who appeared in his first career home game Saturday after missing several campaigns because of injury and the COVID pandemic. "It's just awesome to make plays again and be out here, and I'm proud of everybody on the team."
 
An enthusiastic crowd of 1,435 fans filled the SFU Stadium at Terry Fox Field for Saturday's contest, and was further entertained by local band Hicklestock before the game, and at halftime.
 
The Red Leafs' next contest will be at Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 24. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT. The next four home games for the Red Leafs will be played in Blaine, Washington.

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