By: Jamal Smith Sports Editor
WOU Football hosted Azusa Pacific University (APU) on Saturday, Oct. 31 at McArthur Field, and defeated the Cougars 17-14.
The victory marks the fifth consecutive win for the Wolves and improved their overall record to 6-3 overall and 4-1 in GNAC play.
Both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter.
APU failed to convert two field goals in the first 17 minutes of the game. The first field goal bounced off of the left upright, narrowly missing three points by a matter of centimeters, and the second careened to the far right after catching a gust of wind.
WOU established their running game in the late first quarter and redshirt-sophomore Phillip Fenumiai (QB) lead the Wolves downfield and into the Cougars’ red zone.
After failing to convert a touchdown, senior Jesse Correa (K) kicked a 21-yard field goal to give the Wolves a 3-0 lead, just minutes into the second quarter.
After stopping APU on their next two drives, the Wolves raced downfield with runs from Fenumiai and from first year Malik Braxton (RB), who was excellent at grinding for extra yards after contact.
Braxton, who was awarded last week’s GNAC offensive player of the week, finished the game with 105 yards rushing.
Fenumiai would cap off the 12 play 59-yard drive with a 1-yard rush on a quarterback sneak, increasing Westerns’ lead to 10-0.
“The offensive line gives us everything they have every play, and we needed to give back,” said Braxton after the game. “Between me, Ambrose and Joe, we just want to get in there and hit the hole that the O-Line gives us.”
After the Wolves’ defense forced a three-and-out on APU’s ensuing possession, the Wolves would start their drive with great field position near midfield.
In his second game back from injury, senior Trey Shimabukuro (QB) would step in for Fenumiai and show his abilities at throwing the ball. Shimabukuro connected with redshirt-sophomore Paul Revis (WR) for a 16-yard touchdown, which increased the Wolves’ lead to 17-0 going into half time.
“Our offense controlled the clock in the first half,” said head coach Arne Ferguson. “We had the ball for twenty minutes which allowed our defense to make some key three-and-outs and play very aggressive.
In the third quarter, the Cougars showed grit and determination, scoring two unanswered touchdowns to tighten the score to 14-17. But the Wolves’ defense refused to give up.
Senior Breeon Moreno (DB) made an incredible play in the fourth quarter, breaking up a third down pass attempt in the secondary. Moreno would finish the game with two pass breakups and nearly come down with an interception.
¬¬“As a senior, I had to come out and make big plays for our defense and for our team to help us win,” said Moreno after the game. “Last year they beat us because of one big play and we came into the game wanting to stop them from converting on the big play, and make some ourselves.”
After failing to score in the fourth quarter, the Wolves found themselves in a familiar situation: just minutes left in the game and the ball in the hands of APU with a chance to even the score with a field goal or go ahead with a touchdown.
APU would start their final drive at their own 18-yard line.
With a balanced attack of passing and rushing, the Cougars marched downfield and into WOU territory. The Wolves’ defense held the line and forced APU into a fourth down with 4-yards to keep their drive alive. On fourth down, APU handed the ball off to their running back and he was stopped 3-yards short of the first down marker by senior Jonathan Breland (LB).
The Wolves would take over on downs and finish the game in the victory formation.
“I’m very proud of our defense. It has been a few weeks in a row making those plays in the fourth quarter,” Ferguson added.
WOU’s final two games of the season are both home games played at McArthur Field.
First, Western hosts South Dakota School of Mines & Technology on Saturday Nov. 7 at 3:30 p.m. The last game features Humboldt State University, the first place team in the GNAC, on Saturday Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.
