Oct. 28, 2006

Final Stats

BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- Running back Craig Garner (Fr., Tacoma/Lakes) rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, including the go-ahead score on a 17-yard run with 4:39 to play as Western Washington University defeated Western Oregon University, 17-14, in a non-league football game Saturday at Civic Stadium.

Western Washington improved to 3-6 on the season. All three of its victories have come on comebacks in the last five minutes.

Western Oregon fell to 5-3 with its third loss in the last four games. The Wolves were without running back Eliot Vinzant, who has rushed for 1,046 yards this season and is just 164 yards short of the Western Oregon single-season rushing record. Vinzant missed the game because of a knee injury.

Western Washington entered the fourth quarter with a 10-7 lead, but the Wolves took a 14-10 lead on a 46-yard pass from Mark Thorson to Sean Fullerton 85 seconds into the period.

But the Vikings regained the lead, with backup quarterback Adam Perry (So., Longview/R.A. Long) in for injured starter James Monrean (Sr., Bellingham/Sehome) moving them 63 yards in 10 plays, with nine of the plays on the ground, capped by Garner's go-ahead score.

Western Oregon had a chance to force overtime, reaching the Western Washington 15 on the following drive, but Bill Voges missed a 36-yard field goal with 54 seconds left.

"That was a gutsy defensive effort as I've ever seen," said Western Washington coach Robin Ross.

Western Oregon had a 415-225 edge in total offense, including a 246-71 advantage in the second half, but committed 11 penalties for 114 yards, and had three turnovers to one for the Vikings.

Thorson completed 30-of-43 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, throwing for 230 yards in the second half.

The Vikings opened the scoring less than seven minutes into the game, as Garner took a handoff, cut left and burst untouched for a 28-yard touchdown, capping a nine-play, 69-yard drive. They extended the lead to 10-0 on a 45-yard Robby Smith (So., Bellingham) field goal.

Western Oregon reached the scoreboard with 18 seconds left in the first half, driving 80 yards in 11 plays, concluded with an 8-yard pass from Thorson to Isaiah Smith, who finished with eight receptions for 119 yards.

The Wolves then opened the second half with a 16-play drive, reaching the Viking 3 before Todd McClellan (Sr., Lacey/Timberline) intercepted Thorson in the end zone, McClellan's second pick of the game.

Western Washington entertains Augustana College on Nov. 4 (1 p.m.) in a North Central Conference contest.

SCORING SUMMARYWestern Oregon      0 7 0 7 --- 14Western Washington  7 3 0 7 --- 17
WWU - Garner 28 run (Smith kick)WWU - FG Smith 45WOU - Smith 8 pass from M. Thorson (Voges kick)WOU - Fullerton 46 pass from M. Thorson (Voges kick)WWU - Garner 17 run (Smith kick)Attendance: 1305