(credit: Rysen John)
BURNABY, BC – Sophomore Gavin Cobb returned a kick-off a record 99-yards for a touchdown and Rysen John caught two touchdown passes, the lone highlights for Simon Fraser University as the Clan lost 82-21 to Western Oregon University on Saturday afternoon in Great Northwest Athletic Conference football action on Terry Fox Field.
Trailing 14-0 in the first quarter, Cobb weaved his way through the Wolves to take the kick-off to pay dirt, going 99-yards for the TD, setting a new Simon Fraser school record. Cobb surpassed the record runs of a couple of SFU and CFL greats, Rick House and Sean Millington.
House, who played for Winnpeg and Edmonton during his 13-year CFL career after being drafted in the first round of the 1979 CFL Draft, held the school record. House returned a kick-off for a TD 98-yards against the University of Puget Sound in 1977. Former BC Lion Millington, who played for four teams after being selected first overall by Edmonton in the 1990 CFL Draft, had a 95-yard return for a score against Whitworth College in 1988.
Cobb’s return was one yard short of equaling the GNAC record. Cobb, who leads the GNAC with 21.1 yards per kick return, entered the week ranked fourth in Division II with 548 combined kick return yards. Saturday, he added significantly to that total, with nine returns for 295 yards. His touchdown pulled the Clan to within 14-7 midway through the first quarter but that’s as close as the Clan would get.
Western Oregon scored six touchdowns threw the air and three on the ground, leading 24-7 after the first quarter and 44-14 at the half. WOU outgained SFU 604 yards to 248 yards.
The loss drops the Clan to 0-5 overall (0-3 in GNAC play), while Western Oregon moved to 2-4 overall, 1-3 in conference play.
John scored two touchdowns on 10- and 13-yard passes from quarterback Miles Richardson, who finished 24-of-43 for 194 yards and two interceptions. John now has three TDs this season.
Four receivers caught 4 or more passes with senior Justin Buren leading the way with eight catches for 69-yards. John caught 6 passes for 75 yards along with the two touchdowns. Cobb had five catches for 27 yards, finishing with 317 all-purpose yards. Cobb entered the week ranked 19th in Division II with 166.2 all-purpose yards per game.
Jalen Jana had 4 catches for 20 yards and rushed 9 times for 46 yards.
Defensive back Brendan Lowry and defensive lineman Brad Lyons had 7 tackles each, while Lyons added 2.5 sacks.
WOU quarterback Nick Duckworth went 14-of-23 for 294 yards and six touchdowns. Three of Duckworth’s touchdown tosses went to wideout Paul Revis, who also racked up 69 yards on his five catches.
SFU has a bye next week and then is on the road at Azusa Pacific on Oct. 21. The Clan will return home Oct. 28 to take on Humboldt State University at Terry Fox Field for a 1 PM kick-off.
Source: SFU Clan
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