Sept. 14, 2002
Final Stats
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Wide receiver Greg Dykstra (Sr., Everson/Lynden Christian) had four touchdowns, three on pass receptions, and strong safety Rob White (So., Woodinville/Inglemoor) forced four turnovers as Western Washington University won its home opener, defeating Fort Lewis College, 52-14, in a college football game Saturday.
The triumph improved the Vikings, ranked No.20 in the AFCA NCAA Division II Top 25, to 2-0 for the first time since 1996. Fort Lewis, from Durango, Colo., fell to 0-2.
Dykstra tied school records for touchdowns and touchdown receptions in a game, hauling in passes of 23, 26 and 31 yards for scores and adding a 58-yard touchdown on a punt return in the final minute of the first half. Dykstra had six receptions for 121 yards, catching a pass for the 30th consecutive game, and even added a tackle on a fake punt.
White forced four fumbles, three of them recovered by the Vikings, and also had an interception to set a school record by forcing four turnovers.
The Vikings scored on their opening drive of the game, marching 93 yards in 10 plays, capped by a pass from quarterback Josh Shimek (Jr., Pasco) to Dykstra. Western added 17 points in the second quarter to take a 24-0 lead at halftime and held a 45-0 lead early in the fourth quarter before Fort Lewis quarterback Andrew Webb threw two touchdown passes in a 58-second span to narrow the margin.
Webb, who was 19-of-35 for 221 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, hit Mark Tatom for a 57-yard score and following an interception by Richard Johnson, found Chris Brewer on the next play for a 4-yard touchdown.
Shimek completed 18-of-32 passes for 239 yards with an interception and four touchdowns, throwing two scoring passes to Dykstra and also finding tight end Adam Snel (Sr., Everett/Cascade) for a 23-yard score and slotback Mike Westbrook (Sr., Lakewood/Lakes) on a 3-yard touchdown. Backup quarterback Steve Nichols (So., Stevenson) was 7-of-12 for 114 yards and two touchdowns.
Webb was 19-of-35 for 221 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, ending a streak of six consecutive 300-yard passing games that began last season. Jamal Allen, who led NCAA II nationally with 106 receptions last year, had six catches for 77 yards.
Western placekicker Michael Koenen (So., Ferndale) converted all seven extra-point attempts and also hit a 24-yard field goal, giving him a school-record eight consecutive field goals made. He also averaged 48.2 yards on four punts.
The Vikings had a 502-356 edge in total offense and nearly a 2-1 advantage in time-of-possession (39:18-20:42).
Western, which has a bye next week, visits NCAA I-AA St. Mary's, Calif., on Sept. 28 (1:30 p.m.).
