Wednesday, August 29, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. - In the third of our GNAC Football Video Previews profiling the conference's five programs, we feature the Western Oregon Wolves.

Picked third after finishing in fourth place last year, Western Oregon hopes that experience will help it climb in the standings. The Wolves finished 2017 averaging 369.1 yards per game and excelled in the passing game, averaging 263.6 yards per game in the air. Of the team’s 34 touchdowns, 21 came in the passing game. To move up, however, the Wolves will have to replace a pair of talented skill players in wide receiver Paul Revis and defensive lineman Michael Kluge.

Junior running back Devon Fortier is the most experienced returner on offense, carrying 81 times for 385 yards and three touchdowns. Senior tight end Caleb Tingstad made the most of his touches, scoring four touchdowns. The Wolves are bolstered by the return of a pair of experienced kickers. Senior Adrian Saltana made 12 of 18 field goal attempts, including a long of 48 yards, while junior Nate Osborn averaged 37 yards per punt.

Senior linebacker Bo Highburger is the Wolves’ most decorated and experienced returner. The First Team All-GNAC selection finished tied with GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Haynes with 100 tackles, which included 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, and finished 10th in Division II with three fumble recoveries. Junior linebacker Andrew Weber was second for WOU with 83 tackles and had seven tackles for loss and four interceptions. Sophomore defensive back Curtis Anderson also had four picks while adding 43 tackles.