Thursday, August 28, 2014

MONMOUTH, Ore. -  Western Oregon, which has had four consecutive winning seasons, including a pair of 7-4 campaigns, opens its 2014 football season Saturday (Sept. 6) at Hillsboro Stadium against Portland State.  Kickoff is at 7:15 p.m.

Last year quarterback Ryan Bergman guided the Wolves to a 7-3 conference record and a tie for second place with Central Washington.  It was the third consecutive year WOU finished in second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Bergman (6-2, 170, Sr., Issaquah, WA) is the top returning quarterback in the GNAC.  Last year in his junior season he led the conference in passing throwing for 3,225 yards and 27 touchdowns earning first team all-league honors.

Bergman is one of three returning all-conference players on an offense that led the GNAC in scoring (30.4) and ranked second in total yards (412.2 per game).

Also back on offense is wide receiver Tyrell Williams (6-4, 200, Sr., Salem, OR – Cascade), who tied a GNAC track-and-field record last spring in the 200 meters running a time of 21.32, and running back Joe Harris (6-1, 170, Jr., Coquille, OR).

Williams caught 49 passes for 849 yards and six touchdowns to earn first team GNAC honors.  Harris rushed for 672 yards and six touchdowns.

Two linemen are also back off last year’s WOU starting offensive unit – center Taylor King (6-2, 290, Sr., Grass Valley, CA – Yuba) and guard Gaisoa Gaisoa (6-2, 330, Jr., Waimanalo, HI – Kailua). 

King is listed as the starting right guard on WOU's two-deeps with Lane College transfer Puohila Tauuaho (6-4, 303, Jr., Oakland, CA - Fremont) moving into the center slot.

On defense Western Oregon returns six starters, led by GNAC Defensive Lineman of the Year Kraig Akins and first team all-league linebacker Shane Kuenzi.

Akins (6-2, 270, Sr., Springfield, OR - Thurston) led the GNAC in tackles for losses with 16 for 72 yards and also ranked eighth in the conference in total tackles with 70 in 11 contests. 

Kuenzi (6-0, 195, Jr., Salem, OR - West Salem) finished fifth in the conference in tackles, averaging 9.5 per contest, including eight for losses of 31 yards.

Also back on defense are DBs Roger Garrett (6-1, 180, Jr., Seattle, WA – Franklin) and Dominic Akina (6-1, 195, So., Beaverton, OR – Westview) and defensive lineman George Swartzlender (6-3, 300, Jr., Burns, OR).

Garrett had 41 tackles, while Akina was credited with 39 and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.  Swartzlender had 37 tackles.

The Wolves also return both of their kickers from last season including punter Alexander Bradt (6-1, 210, Jr., Salem, OR – West Salem), who averaged 38.7 yards earning second team GNAC honors.  Jesse Correa (5-10, 180, Mililani, HI – St. Louis), who converted on 10 of 15 field goals and 32 of 39 extra points, also is back.

Among the top newcomers for WOU are cornerback Breeon Moreno (5-10, 190, Jr., Clarksville, TN), who previously played at Murray State and linebacker Doug Parrish (6-0, 223, Jr., San Francisco, CA – Sacred Heart), a transfer from San Jose State.

WESTERN OREGON Wolves (GNAC Projected Finish: #3)

Head Coach:  Arne Ferguson, Western Oregon ’91 (58-39, 9 years) Note: Ferguson is defensive coordinator and linebacker coach.
Assistants: Brian Harris (offensive coordinator), Matt Overlin (special teams coordinator and defensive backs), Josh Manning (offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator), Miguel Gonzalez (wide receivers), Kimo von Oelhoffen (defensive line), Evan Mozzochi (quarterbacks), Glen Moa (assistant defensive backs), Dylan Neumann (tight ends), Jason Slowey (director of football operations and assistant offensive), Bryce Peila, Andrew Faaumu (graduate assistant), Kyle Lane (student assistant), Justin Fritz, Tyler Nelson
2013 Record: 7-4    Conference: 7-3, 2nd-T
Returning Letter Winners: Off – 23 Def – 16 Kickers – 2 Lost – 28
Returning Starters: Off – 6  Def – 6 Kickers  - 2
Basic Offense: Multiple 1-Back
Basic Defense: 4-3
Stadium (Capacity): McArthur Field (2,500)

TOP RETURNEES: Rushing – Joe Harris (RB, 6-1, 170, Jr., 133-672, 6 TDs). Passing – Ryan Bergman (6-2, 170, Sr., 232-425-13, 3225, 27 TDs).  Receiving – Tyrell Williams (WR, 6-4, 200, Sr., 49-849, 6 TDs).  Kick Scoring – Jesse Correa (5-10, 180, So., 10-15 FG 32-39 PAT). Defense – Shane Kuenzi (LB, 6-0, 195, Jr., 50-55-105, TFL 8-31); Kraig Akins (DL, 6-2, 290, Sr., 33-37-70, TFL 16-72); Roger Garrett (DB, 6-1, 180, Jr., 22-19-41); Dominic Akina (DB, 6-1, 195, So., 28-11-39) George Swartzlender (DL, 6-3, 300, Jr., 15-22-37).   All-Stars – Ryan Bergman (QB, 1st team GNAC); Tyrell Williams (WR, 1st team GNAC); Kraig Akins (DL, GNAC Defensive Lineman of the Year, HM D2Football.com All-American); Shane Kuenzi (LB, 1st team GNAC); Joe Harris (RB, 2nd team GNAC); Alexander Bradt (P, 6-1, 195, Jr., 2nd team GNAC).

KEY LOSSES: Marcus Cuellar (OL, 1st team GNAC, HM D2Football.com All-American); Gustave Benthin (DL, 1st team GNAC. 30 tackles, TFL 7 ½ - 45); Antoine Wafer (WR, 2nd team GNAC, 45-628, 6 TDs); Alex Jones (OL, 2nd team GNAC); Pat Tepea (DB, 2nd team GNAC, 56 tackles)

KEY TRANSFERS: Doug Parrish (LB, 6-0, 223, Jr., San Francisco, CA - San Jose State); Breeon Moreno (DB, 5-10, 190, Jr.,  Clarksville, TN -  Murray State); Deon Hawkins (DB, 6-1, 175, Jr., Los Angeles, CA - Antelope Valley College); Tyrone Hollister (DB, 6-0, 175, Jr., Waipahu, HI - Shasta College)