Willamette falls at Puget Sound
Bearcats fail to generate points after first quarter in loss to Loggers
 
Oct. 13, 2007

TACOMA, WASH. -- The University of Puget Sound edged Willamette University, 13-7, when UPS offensive lineman Cody Dean recovered a fumble in the end zone with 2:20 left in the Northwest Conference game playyd at UPS's Baker Stadium. Dean came to the Loggers' rescue after teammate James Olcott fumbled at the Willamette 1-yard line on a third-and-goal play that began three yards from the end zone. The timely recovery allowed UPS to improve to 3-3 overall, 1-2 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 2-4, 1-1 in the NWC.

Puget Sound missed the extra point following Dean's score, as place-kicker Mike Griffith was unable to convert the kick. Willamette took over at the UPS 46-yard line after the ensuing kickoff, as Skylar Swinford (Sr., RB, McCall, ID/McCall-Donnelly HS) returned the kick 33 yards.

On the next play, WU quarterback Ryan Whitcomb (So., Oak View, CA/Nordhoff HS/College of the Canyons) fumbled while being sacked by Jake Parks. Cole Hawes recovered the ball for UPS at the Logger's 47-yard line.

Willamette held on downs, with Brian Ames of UPS falling on his own fumble at the UPS 45 on a 4th-and-4 play that started at the WU 47. The Bearcats were out of time-outs and had about 30 seconds remaining.

After three incomplete passes, Whitcomb conneted with Tony Krikorian (So., FL, Costa Mesa, CA/Costa Mesa HS) on a 16-yard pass to the UPS 34-yard line. On the next play, Whitcomb's desperation pass was intercepted by Demetri Huffman in the end zone as time expired.

Swinford scored Willamette's only touchdown on a 17-yard run with 4:18 left in the first quarter. The score came on WU's second possession and completed a 7-play, 60-yard drive. Matt Bicocca (Sr., PK, San Andreas, CA/Calaveras HS) converted the extra point. Willamette still held a 7-0 lead at halftime.

The Loggers tied the score on the opening possession of the second half. Puget Sound drove 63 yards on seven plays, with Silas Paul reaching the end zone on a 2-yard run. The touchdown was recorded with 11:34 remaining in the third quarter. Griffith made the extra point kick.

Neither team scored again until Dean's fumble recovery late in the fourth quater.

The Bearcats will be in action again on Saturday, Oct. 20, when they take on Menlo College in Atherton, Calif. Game time is set for 12 p.m. (PDT). Last year, WU rallied for a 41-35 victory over the Oaks, in a game that also was played in Atherton.

INFORMATION COURTESY OF WU Sports Information