Bearcats Set to Play First Place Boxers in NWC Battle

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- For the second week in a row, the Willamette University football team will take on a team that is undefeated in the Northwest Conference when the Bearcats battle the Pacific University Boxers on Saturday, Nov. 8. The Boxers are 5-2 on the season, but are 5-0 in the NWC. Willamette, also 5-2 overall, is 3-2 in the NWC.

Last weekend, on Saturday, Nov. 1, the Bearcats defeated previously unbeaten Linfield College, 31-28, in McMinnville, Ore. Linfield is now 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the NWC.

For the Bearcats versus the Boxers, you can listen to Willamette's Live Audio during the game. The webcast will feature play-by-play from Mike Allegre and commentary from Brandon Chinn starting at approximately 12:45 p.m. Also, for a fee you can watch Live Video provided by Pacific. Live Stats will be available from Pacific free of charge.

Running back Dylan Jones (Sr., Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries against Linfield. His final touchdown covered a school record 98 yards early in the fourth quarter.

Jones has rushed for 1,210 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. He needs just 30 yards to equal the Willamette single season record of 1,240 yards, set by Drew Ecklund in 2002.
Jones is ranked first in NCAA Division III with 172.9 rushing yards per game. He is fifth in the nation in rushing touchdowns and is sixth in scoring with 12.9 points per game.

Derek Traeger (Sr., WR, Mount Angel, OR/John F. Kennedy HS) tops the pass receiving chart with 29 catches for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Beau Smith (Sr., WR, Roseville, CA/Roseville HS) has caught 20 passes for 231 yards and two scores.

Ryan Foote (Jr., WR, Sherwood, OR/Valley Catholic HS/Allan Hancock JC) leads the team with 345 receiving yards on 18 catches. Foote has caught five touchdown passes.

On defense, Jack Nelson (Sr., ILB, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) leads the way with 76 total tackles on 47 solo tackles and 29 assists. He ranks second on the team with 7.0 tackles for loss. Nelson has achieved 287 total tackles during his career.

Jimmy Roberts (Jr., ILB, Galt, CA/Galt HS) has recorded 34 tackles for Willamette. Benjamin Jahn (Fr., OLB, Juneau, AK/Thunder Mountain HS) has achieved 31 tackles, including a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss. He also leads Willamette with 4.0 quarterback sacks.

Warner Shaw (Jr., QB) leads the Pacific offense with 1,557 passing yards and 15 touchdowns. He has completed 70.6% of his passes (127 of 180) with only four interceptions. Last week, Shaw helped the Boxers edge Lewis & Clark College, 48-42 in overtime, as he competed 18 of 22 passes and threw for five touchdowns.

The top receiver for Pacific is Jakob Lawrence (Sr., WR) with 37 passes for 520 yards and seven touchdowns. Caleb Roher (Sr., WR) has caught 28 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns.

Bobby Ladiges (Sr., RB) has been the key player in the Boxers' running game. He has rushed 85 times for 424 yards and five touchdowns. Kamana Pimental (So., RB) has rushed for 370 yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries.

The Pacific defense has received 60 total tackles from Jack Perez (Jr., LB), who has earned 30 solo tackles and 30 assists. Brandon Harms (Sr., CB) has added 47 total tackles, including a team-high 37 solo stops.

Willamette is averaging 418.9 total yards per game, while allowing 412.9 yard per game. Pacific has gained 398.1 yards per game and allowed 338.9 yards per game. The Bearcats have been particularly strong in the red zone with scores on 26 of 28 possessions (93%). The Boxers have scored on 77% of their red zone possessions (24 of 31).

Next weekend, the Bearcats will close out the season on Saturday, Nov. 15 by hosting University of Pacific at McCullouch Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. (PST).