By: Burke De Boer Sports Editor
The Wolves dominated in the final football game of the season when they traveled to Canada to beat Simon Fraser University 40-13.
Wolves were lead on offense by a strong passing game. The rushing game stalled on its way to a net loss. Though the team rushed for -63 yards, quarterback Nick Duckworth threw for 343 yards and four touchdowns, a season-best game for him.
The game saw Duckworth, ordinarily a backup, pass 1,000 yards passing on the season.
Wideout Paul Revis had eight receptions to pass 1,000 season receiving yards, while Zack Suarez caught two of these touchdowns.
“We really didn’t figure things out until after halftime,” Suarez said. “We made our adjustments and our offensive line stepped up.” Suarez led receivers with 117 yards.
“I felt we were flat in the first half,” Duckworth agreed.
The opening score of the day was actually a defensive score. Defensive back Danny Hankins intercepted the Simon Fraser QB and ran it back for six points.
Bo Highburger lead the defense with tackles, racking up 19 of them off the line. He was crowned GNAC’s defensive player of the day for his performance.
“We knew they had a solid running back coming in, so we really tried to shut him down and get them one dimensional,” Highburger said. “A huge pick six from Danny in the first drive really helped us have confidence that they couldn’t do anything on us.”
While the defense set the tone against SFU, the offense regrouped to lock the game down.
“In the second half I was more decisive with my throws,” Duckworth said. “As an offense we just had more energy.”
Following the sweep of Simon Fraser, Wolves finish the 2016 season 4-6.
“We wanted to send these seniors off the right way,” Duckworth said.
He’s looking to improve for 2017, and said he’ll focus on timing with the receiving corps. “I hope spring football will prepare me for next fall.”
Highburger added high hopes, and said “I’m getting myself and my team ready to win a GNAC title in 2017.”
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
