Willamette is worn down in loss to WOU
Division II Western Oregon beat Bearcats 23-9
 

MONMOUTH, Ore.—In a game the Wolves dominated far more statistically than they did on the scoreboard, Division II Western Oregon University opened their 2007 season with a 23-9 win over Willamette University.

Former McKay High School (Salem) standout Ben Kuenzi rushed for 206 yards and the Wolves defense harassed the Bearcats all night in the season opener for both schools in front of 2,700 at McArthur Field.

Other than a game-ending drive that accounted for nearly half their total yardage and their only touchdown, Willamette was consistently stymied by the WOU defense. In the end the Wolves held the Bearcats to just 92 yards of total offense, including just 22 yards of net rushing. At halftime Willamette had just six yards of total offense to WOU’s 238.

WOU junior tackle Matt Cox (North Salem HS) led the way defensively with four tackles for loss, and nine different Wolf defenders had a hand in tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

The Wolves moved the ball consistently early, but after opening up a 9-0 lead in the first quarter, untimely penalties and a pair of turnovers short-circuited drives, causing WOU to punt six times even though they were rarely stopped by Willamette’s defense.

Sophomore running back Kuenzi was both workhorse and battering ram on offense, carrying left, right and up the middle a total of 33 times for a career-best 206 yards. Senior quarterback Mark Thorson completed 19 of 34 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown for Western. His favorite target was sophomore Sean Fullerton, who had nine catches for 92 yards.

Taylor Hermes had 16 tackles for the Bearcats, including nine solo. Ryan Whitcomb played quarterback on Willamette’s final possession of the night, rushing for 34 yards on six carries, including one on a dive into the end zone at the final horn sounded. Defensive back Ben Fennimore (McKay HS) intercepted a WOU pass in the end zone, and Bearcat kicker Matt Biccoca hit a 30 yard field goal with four minutes left in the third quarter.

Next weekend, the Bearcats will travel to St. Peter, Minn., to play NCAA Division III West Region rival Gustavus Adolphus College on Saturday, Sept. 8. Willamette will play its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. (PDT) against California Lutheran University in another West Region game.