Western Oregon Hosts Willamette to Open 2007 Campaign

WOu's offense includes a deep and veteran offensive line, a stable of 6-8 wide receivers, four running backs that are all break-away threats, and a veteran quarterback.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

MONMOUTH, Ore. - For the fourth consecutive year, Western Oregon and Willamette will kick-off a football season by playing each other.

The Wolves and Bearcats will square off at WOU's McArthur Field on Saturday night. Start time is 6:00 p.m.

Ticket Time

Tickets for the game can be purchased at the gate. Prices are $14 for reserved, $9 for general admission and $7 for non-WOU students. Western Oregon students are free.

Series History

The Wolves and Bearcats have met 28 times in their respective football histories, with Willamette holding a scant 14-13-1 all-time edge.

But Western Oregon has won the last two meetings by a combined count of 77-0 (35-0, 42-0).

Willamette won the match-up in 2004 to open the season, 38-21. Back when both schools were in the NAIA - WOU is now NCAA Division II and Willamette is D-III, they met in a first round playoff game, ten years ago in 1997.

An overflow crowd watched the No. 2 nationally ranked Bearcats survive the upset-minded Wolves in a 26-20 overtime thriller.

Willamette would continue their winning ways, all the way to the NAIA title game before losing to Findlay, Ohio.

Experience Counts

Western Oregon returns nine players with starting experience on both sides of the football in 2007.

On offense that includes a deep and veteran offensive line, a stable of 6-8 wide receivers that will all see action, four running backs that are all break-away threats, and a veteran quarterback who will spend the season climbing the charts of various WOU's career passing lists.

On defense, the Wolves return the majority of their '06 line-up in all three areas - the line, linebackers and secondary. In addition, three veterans back to handle the punting and kicking game.

What's Missing

While the Wolves didn't lose much in terms of pure numbers to graduation, they lost quality.

Gone are two of the best at their respective positions in school history - running back Eliot Vinvant and tight end Kevin Boss.

Vinzant rushed for over 100 yards in 13 consecutive games, while Boss had 19 career touchdown catches and is now playing on Sundays for the New York Giants.

In addition, one of WOU's all-time return leaders and receivers Tyler Knudsen has graduated, as has four-year starter Ryan Belcher on the offensive line.

On defense, end Matt Jirges is difficult to replace as is safety Jason Buckmier.

Wolves Claim a Winning 2006 Campaign

Despite a breath-taking 23-20 season-finale loss to Humboldt State, the Western Oregon football closed the year 2006 with a winning season, its' first since 2000.

At 6-4, Coach Arne Ferguson's team posted the programs best record since the 1997 WOU team went 7-3.

Groundhog Night

WOU's loss to Humboldt State was not unlike its other four setbacks last season - they were all winnable games. The Wolves led for most of the second quarter and all of the third before the Lumberjacks rallied in the fourth period.

Two of WOU losses in '06 were by just three points (HSU, WWU) and the other two were by a touchdown (HSU, CWU).

Back-to-Back

Western Oregon looks to post back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1987.

The Wolves have had 49 winnings seasons and only 28 losing campaigns in its football history, but haven't two years above .500 in consecutive years since current head coach Arne Ferguson was a player in the mid 1980's.

Bearcat Banter

The 2007 Willamette Bearcats return eight starters on offense and seven on defense from a team that finished 2-7 last fall.

WU went 2-4 in the Northwest Conference (Division III).

Under tenth-year coach Mark Speckman, the Bearcats run the unconventional Fly offense, always a tough match-up for any team.

Speckman's team returns with its offensive line intact, but has holes to fill at wide receiver - where 2006 starting quarterback Kevin Whipps will now be playing.

Last fall's back-up Grant Leslie is expected to start at QB.

On defense, the Bearcats return starters in all three areas and their top punter (Clint Moran) and place kicker (Matt Bicocca) are also back. Willamette was picked to finish fourth this year in the NWC.

Arne's Assessment

"We have had a good few weeks of practice and we feel pretty good about our conditioning and some parts of our game. But we certainly have definite areas to improve in and we are working on those this week. We are very excited to play somebody else. It is really hard to gage where you are at until you get a chance to execute in a game situation. Willamette is a very quality opponent, they do things a little unconventional and are very tough to prepare for. We feel good about our preparation for this game and the season and are anxious to get on the field."

Thorson's Tosses

Senior quarterback Mark Thorson quietly climbed the passing lists on the WOU career chart last fall, in his second full season as the starting quarterback.

The 6-6, 240-pounder from Sandy, Ore., has an excellent shot to re-write much of the throwing record book at Western Oregon this season.

In addition, some of his 2006 numbers ranked in WOU's top ten.

Here is a look at both

Career Top 10 - Thorson

Passing attempts: 660 (4th) Record: 895, Denny Bies (2001-04)

Passes completed: 373 (4th) Record: 496, Brian Traeger (1993-96)

Passing yardage: 4,356 (5th) Record: 6,778, Brian Traeger (1993-96)

Touchdown passes: 36 (3rd) Record: 47, Tony Burris (1985-86)

Completion percentage: .565 (2nd) Record: .593, Brian Traeger (1993-96)

Total offense: 4,329 (4th) Record: 7,097, Brian Traeger (1993-96)

Single Season Top 10 - Thorson 2006

Passing attempts: 307 (6th) Record: 365, Adam Bledsoe (2000)

Passes completed: 179 (5th) Record: 186, Mark Thorson (2005)

Passing yardage: 2,342 (4th) Record: 2,628, Erik Davis (1999)

Touchdown passes: 20 (4th) Record: 25, Tony Burris (1985)

Total offense: 2,298 (5th) Record: 2,866, Brian Traeger (1996)

The Hogs

Four of WOU's current starters on the offensive line started last year in 2006, when the Wolves averaged 408 yards of total offense a game, including 172 a contest rushing.

Seniors Allan Mikolas, Paul Wright, Brett Rhodes and Brandon O'Neil return, and another senior that started last year at center (Cory Perkins) missed camp but is expected to return from a foot injury in the coming weeks.

Bevy of Backs

The Wolves may have lost Vinzant, but four young tailbacks with tremendous upside await their chance to carry the ball.

Sophomore Ben Kuenzi is first in line, having stepped in for Vinzant last year when he was injured.

The 5-10, 220-pounder rushed for 505 yards in 104 carries (4.9), and dashed for 174 yards against Dixie State.

Another sophomore, Tyler Wilson gained valuable experience off the bench last year, while redshirt freshman Adryan Allen awaits his turn.

The trump card is true freshman DJ Jackson, who spent the past five seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers system after an all-state senior season (2002) at Jesuit High School.

Catching Up

Wolves opponents in 2007 won't be able to concentrate on just two major receiving threats like in 2006 (Kevin Boss and Tyler Knudsen).

As many as eight players will see time at wide receiver and flanker, led by junior Isaiah Smith.

Smith had 24 catches for 481 yards and a team-best 20-yards per grab average.

The Roseburg native became more of a prime target after Boss went down with a season-ending injury, grabbing eight balls for 117 yards against Western Washington and seven for 118 in a win over Dixie State.

Destructive Defense

WOU's defense posted two shutouts last season, the first time that had been accomplished since 1986.

They allowed only 78.2 yards rushing a game, the lowest total since 1986, and gave up only 13.5 points a game, lowest at WOU since 1975.

Sack Hounds

No team records have been kept at WOU in the category, but the Wolves quarterback sack totals in 2006 would have to have been amongst the best in school history.

WOU had 38 sacks on the season and 84 tackles for loss.

14 different players took down a quarterback last fall, and 22 defenders tackled an opponent in his own backfield.

Matt Cox and Anthony Marin, both back at the inside tackles this year, had 11 tackles for loss each.

Marin had the team lead in quarterback sacks with 8.5 for 55 yards.

Returning defensive end Casey O'Donnell led the squad with eight QB hurries, and he also had 4.5 sacks.

Backers to Work

Senior linebacker Matt Buche has started every game since his freshman season at WOU.

He had 50 tackles last season and also had two interceptions and four pass break-ups.

JT Gilmore had 36 tackles as a red-shirt freshman last year and will man the middle this year for the Wolves.

Air Defenders

Senior cornerback Jay Darden had four interceptions and 13 pass break-ups, to lead the Wolves in both categories last year, but he may not have his named called out with the starters this year.

Competition has been fierce in practice for the secondary positions.

Nick Smith, who had seven deflections and three picks last year, should take one of the corners while the other may go to Bryan Huber, who had two interceptions as a true freshman.

Safety Zach Christopherson finished with three interceptions last year and brings three years of experienced to a deep crew.

Kickin' It

Senior kicker Bruce Voges will chase some career records this year, after also listing his name last year on some single season lists.

Career Top 10

Field goals: 21 (4th) Record: 49, John Freeman (1997-00)

Extra points: 75 (4th) Record: 114, John Freeman (1997-00)

Single Season Top 10

Field goals: 12 (3rd) Record: 16, John Freeman (1997)

Extra points: 32 (7th) Record: 41, Tim Rouhier (1977)

Buy Local

The Wolves have 17 Salem-area athletes on their roster, including nine listed on the first or second team depth chart. All but three of WOU's starters on offense or defense are from the state of Oregon.

Ferguson Factor

Head coach Arne Ferguson enters into his third season at WOU - as the head coach.

He has spent nearly a lifetime at the school as a player, assistant coach, and now leader of the program.

The Vale, Oregon native was a three-time All-CFA defensive back for the Wolves from 1986-88, and began his coaching career at Western in 1989.

He has been WOU's defensive coordinator since 1997. In Ferguson's first season at the helm in 2005, the Wolves went 5-6 and finished the season on a three-game win streak.

Last year, they were 6-4, with all four losses coming by a total of 21 points. His career head coaching mark is now 11-10.

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