Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports

Western Oregon battled penalties, turnovers, and a tough Western Washington team Saturday at McArthur Field. Despite defeating the Vikings in a game earlier this season, the Wolves fell 24-13.
The game began well for the Wolves as they forced Western Washington's Anthony Zachary to fumble the ball on the opening kickoff wolves defensive back Jon Dowd recovered the ball on the Western Washington 21-yard line. The drive eventually resulted in a Wolves touchdown by wide receiver Shaun Kauleinamoku to put the Wolves up 7-0, but not before an illegal formation and a false start penalty had the Wolves score on 3rd and goal from long range.
The Vikings responded by throwing a 56-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7-7.
Later in the first quarter, sophomore running back DJ Jackson showed his power when he ran the ball for 68 yards to give the Wolves a 1st and goal on the 1-yard line. The window of opportunity was closed as an offensive pass interference call on Demario Ballard brought up a 3rd and goal from the 23-yard line. Further adding to their woes, Wolves' kicker Juan Rodriguez had his 40-yard field goal attempt blocked.
The Wolves' struggles continued into the 2nd quarter as their 1st-and-goal pass was intercepted.
The Wolves missed another field goal attempt but were bailed out by a Viking penalty. The drive ended when, on 4th and 1, Jackson came up short and gave the ball back to the Vikings. They took advantage and scored a touchdown to make it 14-7.
The Wolves responded quickly by getting to mid-field, only to throw an interception that eventually resulted in a Viking 48-yard field goal to end the half. The Vikings scored 10 of their 17 first half points in its final three and a half minutes.
The second half only got worse for the Wolves as they had to punt on their first three drives. The flags continued to fly as the Wolves were nailed with block in the back and encroachment penalties, which put the Vikings at the Wolves' 6-yard line. They scored a touchdown run to make it 24-7.
To make things even worse, Jackson was taken out of the game with a leg injury and did not return.
The fourth quarter also brought more yellow flags. The Wolves did receive some good fortune, however, as the Vikings committed a horse-collar penalty which allowed Wolves' quarterback Josh Riddell to rush for a 6-yard touchdown. Those were the last points of the game as Rodriguez missed the point-after try.
The Wolves, who were plagued by nine penalties and three fumbles, look to wash the sour taste of defeat from their mouths next week in a non-conference game against the 1-4 Southern Oregon University Raiders in Ashland.

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