Newberg, OR - With touchdown receptions by Elijah Romero (29 yards) and Brandon Johnson (66 yards), Willamette Football outscored host George Fox 14-6 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to make up for a scoreless first half and the Bearcats fell to the Bruins 37-14 in a non-conference match-up.

The Bruins got off to a strong start, moving the ball 70 yards in nine plays, capped off by an 8-yard touchdown run by Taylor Saben.  Willamette punted on their first possession and George Fox took their second drive to the endzone as well, this time on a 46-yard pass from DeMontre Thomas II to Chavis Lee.  

Both teams exchanged punts and a turnover on downs before the Bruins were able to get on the scoreboard again in the second quarter on a 44-yard touchdown run by Saben for his second score of the game.  At halftime, the Bruins led 31-0.

The Bearcats got on the board with their initial drive of the second half, moving 73 yards in seven plays.  Elijah Romero found the endzone for the second consecutive game, this time on the receiving end of a 29-yard touchdown pass from Alex Rivera IV.  After George Fox responded with a score of their own, Willamette closed out the scoring with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Rivera IV to Brandon Johnson.

On the day, Rivera IV completed 14 of 25 passes with 2 touchdowns and one interception.  Johnson led the Bearcats in receptions and yards, hauling in three passes for 94 yards.  Gabriel Herrera led Willamette in rushing with 33 yards on 9 carries.

Landon Waters led the team with 9 tackles, followed by La'Akea Like with eight.  John Williamson added six tackles, including a sack, and Brayden Duke recovered a Bruin fumble in the 4th quarter.

The Bearcats do not play next weekend before returning home to host Simpson University (CA) on Saturday, September 28th, at 1:00 pm.  Willamette will open Northwest Conference play the following weekend when they host the Wildcats from Linfield University on Saturday, October 5th, at 4:00 pm.