Lumberjack Comeback Stuns Wolves, 29-21

Humboldt State scored 19 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, erasing a 21-10 deficit.

Kyle Killingsworth makes the catch Photo: Humboldt State Athletics

MONMOUTH - Humboldt State, known for its’ big-play offense, used big plays from its defense and special teams to stun Western Oregon 29-21 on Saturday afternoon at McArthur Field.

The loss was the first of the season for the Wolves, who fell to 4-1 on the year. The Lumberjacks are now 4-1 as well.

A 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by Derric Andrews, and another was set-up on a 74-yard interception return by Kyle Killingsworth. Killingsworth also had a 93-yard punt return for six points in the third quarter stared the comeback.

Despite the second half fireworks, the first half was a slower affair dominated by the defenses. WOU scored on its first drive of the day, going 54 yards on nine plays, capped by a two-run by Eliot Vinzant. But that would be the only touchdown off the first half, and HSU would only muster a 25-yard field goal by Ben Peterson, sending both teams to the locker room with WOU on top, 7-3.

But the show began after the break, with Killingsworth dodging and weaving his way 93 yards for a score to give the Lumberjacks the lead at 10-7. It also marked the first time this season that WOU has trailed in a game.

Western answered quickly on a 60-yard pass from Mark Thorson to Tyler Knudsen. That score was set-up after a 35-yard kick-off return by Greg Coleman, giving the Wolves the ball at their own 40-yard line.

Humboldt State would twice advance into WOU’s red zone in the third quarter, but could not score. The ‘Jacks reached the Wolves 10, but were unsuccessful on fourth and two. Jason Buckmier ended another drive with his second interception of the game after HSU reached the Wolves 20-yard line.

The Wolves then added to its lead right at the end of the period on a nine-yard run by Vinzant, set-up by a 26-yard pass from Thorson to Knudsen. WOU led 21-10 going into the fourth quarter, but that would be their last highlight of the day.

A 60-yard Blake Moorman pass to Edwin Henry at the end of the quarter set-up the Lumberjacks to score on the first play of the fourth. Moorman then hit Richard Perkins on a four-yard toss to make the count 21-16.

The Wolves then went to work on a drive, reaching HSU’s 36-yard line. But Andrews then broke a string of 138 straight Thorson passes without an interception, picking off the junior’s pass and rambling 55 yards untouched for the score. The visitors now led, 22-21.

WOU appeared to be on its way to answering, using a Thorson to Brad Ching pass for 34 yards to get to the HSU two-yard line. But four consecutive rushing plays by Vinzant were stopped by the Lumberjack front, giving the ball back to HSU.

After one first down, Moorman punted the ball to the HSU 44-yard line, giving the Wolves excellent field position again. But on fourth and eight, Killingsworth picked off a Thorson pass and rambled all the way to the WOU one-yard line before he was caught by Vinzant. With 3:21 left the play, Humboldt ran 1:50 off the clock before finally punching the ball in on fourth and one, with Marcus Cox diving over the top.

The Wolves were four and out to finish the game.

Humboldt State had just 197 yards of total offense in the game, including -40 on the ground. WOU had 348 yards of offense, but had the two interceptions and the punt return for a score to make the difference.

Vinzant rushed for over 100 yards for the 12 consecutive time, compiling 130 on 29 carries. Thorson was 19 of 32 for 237 yards, with his favorite target Knudsen hauling in eight of those balls for 128 yards.

Moorman finished 17 of 27 for 237 yards, with Joey Stein grabbing seven for 84 yards.

WOU’s defense had three interceptions in the game, the two by Buckmier and one by Matt Buche on a circus catch in the first quarter. J.T. Gilmore had 11 tackles and Jeff Cloud added nine, and WOU got quarterback sacks from Casey O’Donnell, Matt Cox and Kyle Blank.

Western Oregon will hit the road next week for a 1:00 PM encounter in Ellensburg against Central Washington.

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