FULTON, Mo. - William Woods University Football hosted #19 Baker University in another week of Heart of America Conference play. The Owls were bested by the Wildcats 67-28, but the program displayed their talents in the second half.
WWU received the opening kickoff, looking to make the first impact. However, multiple plays for no gain resulted in
Justin Sharkey attempting his first of five punts on the afternoon. BU began their drive at their own 40 yard line, but quickly found themselves in the end zone on a designed run of 38 yards by QB Truman Juelsgaard. Momentum quickly fell in favor of the Wildcats. The Woods' next possession ended in a blocked punt that rolled out of the back of the end zone, granting Baker a safety. BU went on to score four touchdowns and a field goal in the first half, increasing their lead to 40 points.
With just 1:47 on the clock in the first half, William Woods had a short window to put up a score before the break. Beginning on their 25 yard line, the Owls' drive looked like it would stall out in just three plays. One rush and two passing attempts had WWU looking at fourth and nine. Yet, a hard count from
Gabe Serri drew the Wildcats offside, making the distance more manageable. Another count, and another penalty. Baker jumped again, this time moving the sticks for an Owls first down. The initial first down was all the Woods' needed, as
Jalen Proctor tallied 19 yards on two attempts and
Jalen Becerra made a big play on a reception of 37 yards. Three seconds were left on the clock as the Owls looked at the goal line from four yards out. The final play of the first half was a Serri pass to Proctor on the right side of the end zone, and Proctor corralled it as he dragged his feet and fell to the ground, earning the first touchdown for WWU. Sharkey executed the extra point, and the score was 40-7 going into the locker rooms.
Out of the break, Baker struck early on a 68 yard touchdown reception. This time, the Owls were ready to strike back. Woods took the ball 81 yards on 11 plays to find pay dirt for the second time on a drive that was all about
Troy Oliver. The receiver caught two passes for 13 and 11 yards respectively to open the series. Serri then found him for a huge gain of 31 on a second and ten opportunity. Finally, Oliver capped off the drive with a touchdown reception from eight yards out, his sole score of the night.
The offense displayed dominance on their opening drive of the second half, and inspired the defense to do the same. The Wildcats began their next drive with stellar field position at their 40 yard line. This did not affect the Owls, though.
Sovereign Morton shut multiple rushing attempts down, and the secondary made it impossible for passes to be caught. In just six plays, the Woods' defense forced the first punt of the game for BU.
Continuing to take advantage of their opportunities, the play makers in green exhibited their talents off of the punt. Oliver recorded another double-digit reception of 17 yards to put the Owls near mid-field. In this range, gold can be struck at anytime. It just so happened to be third and eight when Serri struck gold this time, delivering a pinpoint strike to Becerra at the ten yard line, and #10 trotted himself into the end zone to cut the lead down to 26.
Baker managed two touchdowns and a field goal before the Owls crossed the goal line for the final time. With 9:17 left in the game, William Woods had another chance to put points on the board. This drive saw the ground game open up, as
Chris Hunter went for 35 yards on the first play, and followed it up with another hard-fought nine. The success on the ground opened the air back up for Serri, who connected for 25 yards to Becerra on a leaping grab over the defender down to the five yard line. The Owls went right back to #10, who used his athleticism to catch a jump ball, once again over his defender, on the right side of the end zone for another WWU touchdown.
The Wildcats would score once more on a field goal attempt, finalizing the score at 67-28.
The offense was lead by
Gabe Serri, who threw 20-39 for 242 yards, 30 more than BU had as a team, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jalen Becerra made up six of the receptions and 140 of the receiving yards as well two of the four WWU touchdowns.
Troy Oliver went for 91 yards on ten receptions and notched himself a score.
Jalen Proctor was responsible for the first touchdown of the day on his sole reception for four yards.
Chris Hunter led the team in rushing with 51 yards.
Defensively,
Sovereign Morton wreaked havoc on the defensive line all day, racking up 12 tackles.
Carleon Jones made his presence felt with 10 tackles of his own.
Carter Holloway earned the lone takeaway of the afternoon for the Owls on an interception in second quarter.
Justin Sharkey converted four of four extra point attempts, and punted for 102 yards, including a booming 52 yard kick.
William Woods University looks to build off of their promising performance on Saturday, October 26th at 1 p.m. for a non-conference match-up against Peru State College on what is the Owls' inaugural homecoming celebration.
