MONMOUTH, OR Mark Thorsen tossed four touchdown passes as the Western Oregon University Wolves avenged last years opening day defeat by beating the Willamette University football team 35-0 in a non-conference game.
The physical Western Oregon defense limited the Bearcats to only 172 yards of total offense, including 70 yards on the ground. Willamette was 1-15 on third down conversions.
Quentin Brock rushed for 56 yards on 14 carries to lead Willamettes ground game. Ryan Hernandez added 31 yards. Quaterback Cameron Walton was 12-20 with no interceptions for 102 yards.
Western struck midway through the first quarter, taking a Bearcat fumble 42 yards in nine plays, capped by a nine-yard TD pass from Thorsen to Tyler Knudsen. That same combo hooked up again in the second quarter, this time on a 32 yard pass as the Wolves went up 14-0 late in the first half.
Thorsen added TD passes of two and three yards to Kevin Boss and Luke Carter in the second half, while the Bearcat offense could never get untracked.
Tim Alton recorded ten solo tackles and 14 tackles overall to lead the Bearcat defense. Megdy Khoury added 11 stops for Willamette.
Willamettes schedule doesnt get any easier. The Bearcats host nationally-ranked University of Mary Hardin Baylor, last years national champion runner-up. In 2004, UMHB edged Willamette 25-22 in double overtime.