Nov. 4, 2006

Final Stats

BELLINGHAM, Wash. --- Quarterback Adam Perry (So., Longview/R.A. Long) threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Travis McKee (So. Bothell) with 7:35 to play, lifting Western Washington University to a 10-6 victory over Augustana College, S.D., in a North Central Conference football game Saturday at Civic Stadium.

Western improved to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the NCC. The Vikings, who posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season, have trailed in the fourth quarter of all four of their victories.

Augustana fell to 5-5 overall and 3-5 in the NCC with its third consecutive loss.

Western's game-winning drive was set up when defensive end Ryan Conwell (Jr., Kent/Kentwood) forced a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Brandon Elliott (Jr., Auburn/Fife) at the Augustana 35. Perry then threw a 21-yard completion to wide receiver Kellen Alley (Sr., Bremerton/Central Kitsap), and two plays later, found McKee in the back of end zone for the go-ahead score.

Augustana failed to cross midfield on its next two series, but a bad punt snap by Western gave Augustana the ball at the Western 46 with 16 seconds left. On second-and-10, quarterback Tommy Flyger connected with Ryan Rothenberger to the 27, and the clock stopped temporarily for the first down with one second left.

Flyger then threw to the end zone for Chris Pomerleau, but the pass fell incomplete.

The first three quarters of the game were played in a driving rain and a steady 25 m.p.h. wind from the southeast that sometimes gusted to nearly 40. The conditions made passing difficult, as the teams combined for just 141 yards through the air, 65 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter.

Perry, who entered the game early in the second quarter, was 7-of-10 for 70 yards, going 6-of-8 for 55 yards in the fourth quarter.

Augustana opened the scoring on its first possession of the game, moving 58 yards in 10 plays to set up a 23-yard field goal by Dan Grossman. The lead extended to 6-0 in the final minute of the first half as a botched punt snap by Western led to a 28-yard Grossman field goal.

Western reached the scoreboard midway in the third quarter, as its first completion of the day, a 15-yard pass from Perry to wide receiver Brett Upchurch (Jr., Sammamish/Eastlake), set up a 28-yard field goal by Robby Smith (So., Bellingham).

Augustana had a 246-191 advantage in total offense as fullback Jeremy Huber rushed for 130 yards on 24 carries. Flyger, a preseason Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American, was 8-of-26 passing for 71 yards with two interceptions despite completing 4-of-6 for 33 yards on his opening drive of the game.

"You never know what's going to happen with weather like this, but it's all about finding a way to win, and that's what we did today," said Western coach Robin Ross. "It was a great effort, particularly on defense, where we had a lot of guys who hadn't played get into the game and make plays."

Western safety Todd McClellan (Sr., Lacey/Timberline), one of eight seniors playing his final home game, had two interceptions for the second consecutive game, giving him five for the season. He led a defense that because of injuries played two safeties at outside linebacker and had tight end Tyler Birkley (Sr., Modesto, CA) start at defensive tackle.

Running back Craig Garner (Fr., Tacoma/Lakes) paced the offense with 108 yards on 33 carries, his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game. Western ends its season with a league game Saturday, Nov. 11 (10 a.m. PT) at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

SCORING SUMMARY
Augustana SD        3  3  0  0 --- 6Western Washington  0  0  3  7 --- 10
Aug - FG Grossman 23Aug - FG Grossman 28WWU - FG Smith 28WWU - McKee 6 pass from Perry (Smith kick)      Attendance: 1273