SALEM, Ore. -- The Loggers continue to roll, picking up their second straight Northwest Conference win over the Willamette Bearcats 42-17.
How it Happened
The Bearcats took the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but the Loggers' defense held steady to make sure the Bearcats didn't see much of the end zone the rest of the day..
Brady Beck and the Loggers offense took a couple of drives to get going, but were able to get into Bearcat territory with ease early into the game. Despite turning the ball over on downs on their first drive,
Zac Robison recovered a mishandled Bearcat snap to give the ball back to the Loggers.
Reigning NWC Special Teams athlete of the week,
Thomas Goeglein, put a 44-yard punt down to the Willamette 1-yard line, putting the Bearcats in a tough position. The defense held steady, and the Loggers were able to get their first points of the day.
Joey Goin blocked a punt in the end zone, and
Cam'ron Taylor jumped on the ball to tie the game at seven apiece.
Following a Traevon Pfifer interception, Beck and the Loggers only needed four plays to go 56 yards for the score. Beck found freshman
Kasey Williams for a 34-yard score, throwing a 50/50 ball up for Williams to grab. Williams came out the victor, making it a 14-7 ball game. Willamette responded with a field goal of their own, bringing the game within four, but another Logger touchdown drive directly followed. Beck found Williams on a near-identical throw to the far-left corner of the end zone, with Williams winning another 50/50 ball to make it 21-10.
William's second touchdown of the day concluded the scoring in the first half for the Loggers, as they went into halftime with a 21-10 lead. Despite giving up a touchdown on the first play of the game, the Loggers were able to force two first-half turnovers and score three touchdowns to pull ahead.
After receiving the ball to begin the second half, the Loggers marched down the field once again. Beck found
Ethan Roeder for a 19-yard gain, as
Jonah Wilson got moving on the ground. Going for it on 4th and 4, Beck found Williams for a 15-yard pass to give the Loggers a crucial first down. Wilson got the Loggers down to the Willamette 10, as Beck found Williams for his third touchdown catch of the day. This time, a fade route to the right corner of the end zone put the Loggers up 28-10.
Chaesten Eliu got his work done on the defensive side of the ball, sacking the Willamette quarterback to force a Bearcat three-and-out. Beck only needed six plays to lead Puget Sound back down the field on the ensuing drive, finding Williams for a 24-yard gain down the middle of the field. Facing a 3rd and 15, Beck stepped up into a collapsing pocket, finding a wide-open Roeder for a 45-yard touchdown. Roeder's grab was the first touchdown of his collegiate career, as the senior hauled in an important 6 points to put the Loggers up 35-10.
Another solid defensive possession forced a Bearcat punt, as the Loggers continued to stay hot offensively. Facing a 4th and 1, a hard count made the Bearcats jump, giving the Loggers a free first down. Wilson rushed for another 13 yards, and Williams added another 10 receiving yards to his already impressive total. On a 3rd and 8, Beck threw his fifth touchdown pass of the day, connecting with
Drake Granberry III for a 41-yard score. Goeglein's extra point was good, as the Loggers took a 42-10 lead.
Willamette added one final touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it 42-17, but the gap was too large for them to overcome. The Loggers were able to get their second unit some important minutes, comfortably cruising their way to victory. The Loggers are now in second place in the NWC, holding a 2-1 record just under halfway into the regular season.
Puget Sound put up an impressive 470 yards of offense, holding the Bearcats to 182 total yards defensively. Williams had a career day, hauling in 9 receptions for 155 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wilson led the way on the ground, picking up 103 yards on 15 attempts.
What Happens Next
The Loggers head back to Tacoma for Homecoming and Family Weekend, taking on the George Fox Bruins at 1:00 pm on October 24th.
