Box Score SALEM, Ore. (Sept. 14, 2013) – A late touchdown lifted host Willamette to a 33-28 victory over the Sewanee football team, Saturday, at McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Ore.
With the loss, the Tigers evened their record to 1-1 while the Bearcats improved to 2-0.
After an opening touchdown drive by Willamette midway through the first quarter, Sewanee responded with its first scoring drive.
After marching 65-yards on seven plays, fullback Andy Moots capped off the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run with 8:12 left in the quarter. Because the Bearcats missed its extra point after their touchdown, Callum Wishart gave Sewanee a 7-6 lead with his point after.
After Willamette responded with back-to-back touchdowns in the second quarter, Sewanee cut its deficit to five late in the half.
With just 22 seconds before the intermission, sophomore quarterback Cody Daniel found receiver Stephen Jackson in the back of the end zone to cut the lead to 19-14.
Early in the second half, Sewanee's offense continued to play well. After the Tigers held Willamette to a three and out, the Tigers capped off their opening second-half possession with a 12-play, 67-yard touchdown drive that took 6:43 off the clock.
Down 21-19 to start the fourth quarter, Willamette responded. On a third and 16 from the Sewanee 32-yard line, quarterback Josh Dean tossed a touchdown pass to receiver Erik Baker with 11:04 to play.
On the ensuing possession, Sewanee stayed aggressive. Facing a third and 13 from its own 23, freshman Powers Spencer raced 72 yards to the Willamette five. Three plays later, senior quarterback Curtis Johnson finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
Unfortunately, that was when the tide turned in favor of Willamette. The Bearcats retook the lead when Dean found Beau Smith from the 36-yard line with 6:46 left.
Sewanee did have one final chance to score, however a fourth and eight pass by Daniel fell incomplete from the Willamette 23-yard line with 1:36 on the clock.
Overall, the battle of two different offensive styles was on display. Willamette finished with 327 passing yards while the Tigers rushed for 378 yards.
Individually, Dean wrapped up a strong performance with 327 passing yards and three touchdowns. For Sewanee, Moots led a balanced rushing attack with a career-high 122 yards on 22 carries.
Defensively, senior safety Quentin Jones had a team-high eight tackles while junior linebacker Brice Garrett had seven stops, two tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble.
With its longest road trip of the season complete, Sewanee will return to Harris Stadium at Hardee-McGee Field for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Maryville, September 21.
For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com. You can also check the Tigers out on Twitter (Sewaneeathletic) and Facebook (SewaneeAthletics).
