SFU fourth quarter comeback falls short

PHOENIX – A fourth quarter drive in the final minutes with the game on the line fell short and Simon Fraser University lost 34-28 to NAIA two-time CSFL Champion Arizona Christian Saturday evening at Shadow Mountain High School.

Simon Fraser received the ball on its own 20-yard line with 6:22 on the clock, marching from its own 20 to the Arizona Christian 22-yard line but couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone on four separate tries. Junior quarterback Miles Richardson marched the team 58 yards in six plays, with long passes to Nathanael Durkan (38 yards) and Gavin Cobb (23-yards) to put the team in position to win.

But four attempts from just outside the red zone fell short. Richardson picked up three yards on a scramble on the team’s first attempt. Richardson then threw an incomplete pass to Durkan, and after a too many players on the field penalty, Richardson took a 9-yard sack. The Clan’s last attempt from Richardson to Durkan was incomplete.

“Miles had his best game as the starting SFU QB,” said Clan head coach Kelly Bates. “He got the ball out of his hands quick, made good decisions, and stepped up in the pocket well. He gave us a chance to win.”

Simon Fraser trailed 14-7 after the first quarter and 21-14 at the half. ACU went up 34-21 before Richardson scored on a 10 yard run, going 4 plays in 77 yards and just 2:35 minutes.

Trailing 21-14 with just over a minute to go in the first half, SDFU blocked a 25-yard field goal attempt.

“Our defense bailed us out in the 2nd and 4th quarters giving us a chance to win,” continued Bates. “They came up with two huge stops late in the 2nd quarter in the red zone.”

Senior Jordan Leech, starting at middle linebacker, had 13 tackles.

Richardson finished the game 28-of-55 for 434 yards and 2 TDs, including a 44-yard pass to Durkan and an 8-yard pass to RB Jalen jana. Richardson also rushed for two scores, going 5 yards for the team’s first touchdown and 10 yard’s to set-up the final drive that missed.

Four receivers caught 5 or more passes but Durkan and Cobb led the way with eight catches each. Durkan had 8 catches for 115 yards and one TD while Gavin Cobb had 8 receptions for 183 yards, including a 69 pass and run play.

Jalen Jana had 7 catches for 79 yards and rushed 11 times for 38 yards. Justin Buren also caught five balls for 57 yards.

The Clan plays at home on Sept. 9 on Terry Fox Field beginning at 1:00 pm. Five game season ticket packages for 2017 are available for $45.00 by emailing [email protected]. SFU students recieve free admission. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for visiting students and $2 for seniors, SFU staff and children. Parking is alwats free during Clan varsity events in the West Mall parking lot.

Simon Fraser returns to the Burnaby Mountain campus for all five of its home games during the 2017 season. The University has announced plans to build the first phase of the student-led stadium project, which will see covered stadium seating built into the hillside at Terry Fox Field by April 2020 through a $10-million contribution from SFU students.

BOX SCORE 

 

Source: Steve Frost, Sports Information Director

 

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply