IT'S GAME DAY! Western Oregon (6-2) @ Dixie State (3-6)

You can hear the game live in Salem on 1220 KPJC-AM in Salem.

Photo courtesy: WOU Athletics

ST. GEORGE, Utah - The 6-2 Western Oregon Wolves will make their first-ever football trip to Dixie State in St. George, Utah Saturday for a 7 p.m. (6 p.m. Pacific time) match-up against the Rebels.

Wolves Dominate in Battle of Western's:

Western Oregon's Mark Thorson threw five touchdown passes and the Wolves defense allowed only one Vikings score as Western Oregon rolled over Western Washington last Saturday in Bellingham, 35-7. In a series that usually features a tight finish, WOU's 28-point win over the Vikings was their largest since a 36-9 victory over WWU in 1984.

Twice Would be Nice:

A win over Dixie State this Saturday puts Western Oregon in consideration for a return trip to St. George, Utah: on December 1 for the Rotary Bowl. The top independent team in the west that does not qualify for NCAA post-season play, will play the highest finishing team from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference not going to the playoffs. The site for the game is Hansen Stadium at Dixie State.

Back-to-Back:

The Wolves have now guaranteed themselves back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1987. The Wolves have had 50 winnings seasons and only 28 losing campaigns in its football history, but hadn't had two years above .500 in consecutive years since current head coach Arne Ferguson was a player in the mid 1980's. The Wolves finished 6-4 last season, with all four losses coming by a touchdown or less.

In Common:

Western Oregon and Dixie State have played one common opponent to date: Humboldt State. The Wolves defeated the Lumberjacks in Arcata 27-3, while the Rebels split games with HSU, winning 17-10 at home two weeks ago, while losing in triple overtime on Sept. 29 at Humboldt, 30-22.

History:

The Wolves and Rebels have met just once, last year at McArthur Field. In that contest, freshman running back Ben Kuenzi rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns as Western Oregon ran to a 44-7 victory. Quarterback Mark Thorson threw three touchdown passes and Isaiah Smith caught seven passes for 119 yards as WOU won its final home game of the 2006 season.

Source: WOU Athletics

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