Miles Richardson led the Clan in passing, rushing and receiving and he was helped by an outstanding defensive performance as Simon Fraser nearly toppled the Cougars, losing 28-17.
Game Recap: Steve Frost – Associate Director Marketing & Communications ([email protected])
BURNABY – Senior Miles Richardson put Simon Fraser University on his back, and along with a superb defensive performance, nearly carried the Clan to a comeback victory against power house Azusa Pacific before 683 fans Saturday at Terry Fox Field in Great Northwest Athletic Conference football action.
Richardson led the Clan in passing, rushing and receiving and he was helped by an outstanding defensive performance as Simon Fraser nearly toppled the Cougars, losing 28-17. SFU led the Cougars in almost every statistical category except the scoreboard. Turnovers proved costly, however, leading to three APU touchdowns.
The Clan defence gave Simon Fraser a chance to win it, holding the Cougars to 7 points in the first half, and the offense nearly did, scoring 17 fourth quarter points to almost pull off the victory.
Richardson started at quarterback, then moved to receiver, and returned to quarterback after freshman backup Justin Seiber was knocked out of the game on a big hit in the third quarter. Richardson finished 14-of-27 passing for 199 yards with two touchdown passes. He rushed 17 times for 53 yards and he caught five passes for 53 yards.
Simon Fraser racked up 385 yards of offence compared to 323 yards for APU. SFU also had 23 first downs compared to 13 for the Cougars. The Clan defence held the Cougars to just two of nine third down conversions, just nine pass completions and 138 yards rushing.
It was a game that was there for the taking.
Azusa Pacific was leading 7-0 at half-time but the game turned in the third quarter when APU scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes of the quarter.
The Clan defence held the Cougars deep in their own territory but APU’s Jacob Hall boomed a 74 yard punt that grazed the heel of SFU’s Matteo Montagliani. The ball was recovered by the Cougars at the SFU 8-yard line, and they scored three plays later to go ahead 14-0.
Simon Fraser answered back with a long drive into Cougars territory. SFU was fourth-and-one at the 20 yard line. QB Seiber scrambled for the first down but fumbled the ball when he was tackled. APU recovered at their own 22 yard line. On the very next play APU quarterback Tyrone Williams connected with Brett Cabral on a 78-yard pass and run for a touchdown.
APU led 21-0. That’s when the Clan comeback began.
Richardson led the Clan 81 yards in 13 plays, but the offence stalled at the four yard line, settling for a Kees Metselaar chip shot field goal. SFU trailed 21-3.
Montagliani made up for his earlier mistake by picking off a pass in the endzone to stop a Cougars drive. Richardson took the field again and led the Clan 80-yards in six plays, connecting with Rysen John for a 17-yard TD. John finished with five catches for 79 yards and he drew several pass interference calls. SFU trailed 21-10.
SFU recovered the on-side kick but Richardson was picked off on the first play from scrimmage. The ball was returned to the one yard line where the Cougars scored easily. SFU trailed 28-10.
SFU lineman Davion Dixon forced and recovered a fumble that he returned to the APU 22 yard line on the next series. Two plays later, Richardson went 13 yards to Spencer McCabe for a TD, making the score 28-17, but SFU ran out of time.
McCabe finished with three catches for 20 yards and nine different receivers caught passes for SFU.
Linebacker Griffin Barrett led the Clan with 11 tackles and one sack.
Azusa Pacific defeated SFU 58-14 earlier this season.
Next Home Game | Tickets are on sale now for the Clan’s game vs Western Oregon on Nov. 3. Fans who purchase tickets online in advance will save money. Tickets purchased online are $10 for adults and $5 for youth 14-and-under, visiting students & seniors. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for youth 14-and-under, visiting students & seniors when purchased at the gate. Children under 6 are admitted free.
Parking | Free parking is offered with admission in the Visitor West Parkade or Visitor North during all varsity home events again this season using the varsity18 code at parking meters.
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