Big Plays Cost Clan In Loss To Western Oregon

BURNABY, BC — Simon Fraser University gave up too many big plays in the second half of a close football game, losing its sixth straight game 37-26 to Western Oregon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference football action at Swangard Stadium on Saturday.

Big plays in the fourth quarter by the Wolves turned out to be the difference. A 99-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter put the Wolves up by two scores and sealed the win. It was one of many big plays on the afternoon.

“We are at a point now where we can’t overcome ourselves,” said Clan head coach Kelly Bates. “We had them right where we wanted them and then we give up the big plays. Until we figure out every play deserves the same amount of focus and determination we are never going to overcome ourselves.”

Trailing 24-20 entering the fourth quarter, Simon Fraser went for a fourth-down conversion at the WOU 35-yard line but senior quarterback Ryan Stanford was sacked by sophomore Michael Kluge for a 15-yard loss that put the Wolves at midfield. One pass later, sophomore Kamakana Apelu was in the end zone completing a 50-yard scoring play.

On the next series the Clan answered back. It went 73 yards in six plays capped off by a Stanford two yard touchdown pass to TE Andrew Pauls to pull within five points, 31-26.

When Simon Fraser kicker Nickolai Karpun dropped a punt inside the 10 yard line and it was downed by the Clan at the Wolves 1-yard line, SFU appeared to have a chance at its first victory of the season. But on the very next play, WOU freshman running back Malik Braxton sprang outside tackle and ran 99 yards for a touchdown, the longest run from scrimmage in GNAC history, giving WOU a 37-26 win.

Simon Fraser never recovered.

The WOU defense made stops with a forced fumble and another Kluge sack on the final play of the game to hold on for victory.

“We made too many mistakes,” said Bates. “When you give up a 99 yard touchdown run it’s almost impossible to overcome because it is momentum changing, and we had several crucial mistakes like that.”

“It is going to take three to four years to get us to where we want to be; it is a process that is not going to happen overnight,” said Bates.

With the loss Simon Fraser falls to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in the conference. The win was the fourth in a row for the Wolves, who improved to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the GNAC.

The Clan had several big plays of its own in the first half.

SFU receiver Justin Buren netted a 75-yard scoring reception from Stanford to push the Clan ahead by three, 17-14 in the second quarter. Stanford also hit Earl Anderson for a 67-yard scoring reception on the third play from scrimmage to give the Clan a 7-0 lead.

WOU responded with a trick play on its first series when RB Braxton tossed a TD pass to Paul Revis to even the score at 7-7. Braxton also broke free for a touchdown run of 75 yards midway through the first period.

Simon Fraser trailed 14-10 after 15 minutes.

Kicker Tieran Docherty chipped in a field goal from 23 yards that put SFU up 20-17 at halftime. He missed two field goal attempts in the game.

WOU led 24-20 after three quarters.

SFU quarterback Ryan Stanford was 31-of-57 for 370-yards and three touchdowns. Simon Fraser junior running back Ante Milanovic-Litre rushed for 97 yards on 18 carries

The Clan’s most dangerous receivers were Justin Buren with seven catches for 146 yards and Earl Anderson with seven catches for 107 yards. They each scored once. Buren finished with 231 all-purpose yards.

The Clan defence was led by linebacker Jordan Herdman with 10 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss and brother, Justin, who had 7 tackles, and 1 sack.

WOU finished the game with season-highs of 244 rushing yards and 449 total yards.

Braxton ran for 176 yards on 13 carries with two touchdowns.

WOU sacked Stanford six times and had 12 total tackles for loss.

The Clan is on the road next week against Humboldt State be playing its final home game Friday, Nov. 6 against Central Washington at Swangard Stadium.