Monday, August 28, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. - The GNAC's countdown to kickoff for 2017 continues with our video preview of Western Oregon.

Western Oregon started the 2016 season with a shocker, taking down Division I-FCS Sacramento State 38-30 in both teams’ season opener. The Wolves, however, hit a skid in October as they lost three of their final four GNAC games. Western Oregon finished 2016 averaging 338.9 yards of total offernse per game, the majority of which came in the air with an average of 251.4 passing yards per game. The Wolves were one of the top special teams programs in the GNAC, averaging 22.1 yards per punt return.

The Wolves return eight starters on offense, all of whom played key roles in 2016. Senior Paul Revis was a First Team All-GNAC selection as both a wide receiver and a return specialist after leading Division II with an average of 24.3 yards per punt return and leading the GNAC with 105.7 receiving yards per game. Also back is the dual-quarterback threat of seniors Nick Duckworth and Phillip Fenumiai. Fenumiai averaged 138.7 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns while Duckworth averaged 182 yards per game in six games with nine touchdowns.

Western Oregon is bolstered on defense by returning First Team All-GNAC junior linebacker Bo Highburger, who finished second in the GNAC with 111 tackles and was 12th in Division II with 6.3 solo tackles per game. Highburger is joined Second Team All-GNAC senior linebacker Tyler Johnson and senior honorable mention defensive lineman Michael Kluge.

GNAC FOOTBALL VIDEO PREVIEW SCHEDULE
Sun., Aug. 27: Simon Fraser
Mon., Aug. 28: Western Oregon
Tues., Aug. 29: Humboldt State
Wed., Aug. 30: Azusa Pacific
Thurs., Aug. 31: Central Washington
Season Kickoff: Thurs., Aug. 31, Western Oregon at Idaho State