Sept. 1, 2007

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - Quarterback Adam Perry (Jr., Longview/R.A. Long) threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns, helping Western Washington University upset University of California, Davis, 28-21, Saturday in the season opener for both schools.

It was the first victory for Western over a NCAA Division I - Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) opponent since a 42-35 overtime triumph over Saint Mary's in 2003, and spoiled for UC Davis their first game at new Aggie Stadium before a crowd of 9,690. It was also the first Viking victory in eight meetings between the schools.

Perry completed 31 of 46 passes, putting the Vikings in front for good on a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Hekker (So., Bothell/Weber State). Perry's 362 passing yards were the seventh-best single-game total in school history.

Freshman running back Joe Trombetta rushed for 189 yards on 19 carries for UC Davis, giving the Aggies a 21-16 lead on a 90-yard run early in the third quarter. He also added 86 receiving yards on five catches.

But Western regained the lead on the following series on Hekker's touchdown catch, and extended the lead on fourth-quarter field-goals of 18 and 32 yards by Josh Lider (So., Bellevue/Sammamish).

Following Lider's final field goal, the Aggies went on a long drive, reaching the Western 1 on a second-and-goal play with a little over four minutes left. But the Vikings stuffed two running plays for losses, pushing the ball back to the six, and on fourth down, UC Davis quarterback Tim Plough threw incomplete.

Western picked up one first down before being forced to punt in the dying seconds. UC Davis got the ball at the Viking 41 with time for one play, but a throw to the end zone was batted down to preserve the victory.

UC Davis had a 450-384 edge in total offense, but committed three turnovers, all on fumbles, and also failed to convert two fourth-down attempts.

"Turnovers are such a huge indicator of winning and losing, especially on the road where they can take momentum away and quiet the crowd," said Western coach Robin Ross. "Also, we had the stops on fourth down, which are like turnovers. Between the two, we had five possessions where we stopped them and changed the field position."

Western took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter on a 2-yard run by running back Craig Garner (So., Tacoma/Lakes).

UC Davis responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead. Plough first hit Brandon Rice for a 55-yard touchdown, then connected with Chris Carter on a 33-yard score.

The Aggies looked poised to put the Vikings under more pressure near the end of the half. Western faced a third-and-15 on its own 15, but Perry completed a pass to Rick Copsey (So., Camas), who sprinted up the sideline for an 85-yard touchdown.

The extra-point was missed, but Western took a 16-14 lead on its following possession as Lider hit a 22-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

Casey Dell (Sr., Moxie City/East Valley) led Western receivers with nine receptions for 96 yards and Travis McKee (Jr., Bothell) had seven grabs for 69. McKee had four third-down catches that kept drives alive, and Dell had three.

Overall, Western was 12-of-21 on third-down conversions, far better than the 1-of-15 the Vikings were on third down in their last trip to UC Davis, a 48-19 loss in 2003.

Linebacker Shane Simmons (Sr., Kent/Kentlake) had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery for Western. Linebacker Taylor Wade (Sr., Mukilteo/Kamiak) had a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Western's Corbin Anderson (Sr., Veradale/University) averaged 44.6 yards on five punts, including a school-record 79-yard boot.

The Vikings, who have won their last four games, return to action on Sat., Sept. 15, visiting Nebraska-Omaha in their North Central Conference opener. Nebraska-Omaha is ranked No.6 nationally and was the 2006 NCC co-champion.

SCORING SUMMARY

Western Washington   7    9    6    6 --- 28
UC Davis             0   14    7    0 --- 21

WWU - Garner 2 run (Younggren kick)
UCD - Rice 55 pass from Plough (Benjamin kick)
UCD - Carter 33 pass from Plough (Benjamin kick)
WWU - Copsey 85 pass from Perry (kick failed)
WWU - FG Lider 22
UCD - Trombetta 90 run (Benjamin kick)
WWU - Hekker 23 pass from Perry (pass failed)
WWU - FG Lider 18
WWU - FG Lider 32
Attendance: 9,690

VIKINGS SPOIL AGGIE STADIUM OPENER WITH 28-21 WIN

DAVIS, Calif. -- Junior quarterback Adam Perry completed 31 of 46 for 362 yards and two touchdowns to lead Western Washington to a 28-21 win over UC Davis in a non-conference collegiate football game at Aggie Stadium in front of 9,690 fans Saturday. The contest was the first-ever football game held at the university's new multi-use facility.

The Aggies open their season at 0-1. The Vikings move to 1-0 overall.

For UC Davis, freshman running back Joe Trombetta made his collegiate debut with 189 rushing yards on just 19 carries. He scored on a 90-yard scamper early in the fourth, while hauling in five catches for 86 yards. Seniors Tim Plough and Matt Engle split up duties at quarterback, posting totals of 201 and 82 yards, respectively. Plough fired two touchdown passes, hitting Brandon Rice and Chris Carter for scores during the second quarter.

Perry connected with sophomore wideout Rick Copsey for an 85-yard strike late in the second quarter, then hit tight end Zach Hekker for a 22-yarder midway through the third. Perry's second touchdown score proved to be the game-winner, giving WWU a 22-21 lead. Sophomore Josh Lider hit two of his three field goals in the fourth to help seal the win.

The Vikings were particularly effective on third-down situation, converting 12 of 21 for the game and three out of five in the third quarter. Perry had touchdown passes of 16, 20 and 32 yards on such situations to highlight the period.

"I give credit to Western Washington," said UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs. "They had a great game plan. I thought they played a great game. They took some things away from us offensively. Defensively, they just nickel and dimed their way down the field. They were effective."

WWU had its first scoring opportunity of the game on a 20-yard field goal chance midway in the first quarter, but Aggie defensive tackle John Faletoese blocked the try. UC Davis was unable to capitalize on the effort as James Day sacked Plough for a sack and fumble on the Aggie 26-yard line. On the next possession, the Vikings broke the scoreless tie when the first of two Aggie pass interference penalties set up a two-yard run by sophomore Craig Garner.

Rice and Carter scored their back-to-back touchdown receptions to put UC Davis up by a 14-7 margin, then Copsey scored on his 85-yard bomb to trim the lead to a single point. Ace Younggren's point-after attempt drifted wide left of the uprights, holding the Aggies' lead. Lider ended the first half with a 22-yard field goal, sending the Vikings to a 16-14 at the break.

Early in the third quarter, WWU punter Corbin Anderson pinned the Aggies at their own 10-yard line. On the first play of the ensuing possession, Trombetta scurried 90 yards to put UC Davis up by a 21-16 edge. That lead was short-lived, however, as Perry hit Hekker for a 23-yard game-winner at the 8:33 mark. The VIkings attempted to extend the lead to three with a two-point conversion, but Brady McClendon knocked down Copsey's pass to tight end Logan Cullen.

Lider hit field goals of 18 and 32 yards to account for the remainder of the WWU scoring. The Aggies took possession with five ticks remaining in the game. With no time remaining, Plough fired a 41-yard desperation pass to Kale Turner near the goal line, but cornerback Anthony Rosso led a swarm of Viking defenders in breaking up the play.

Western Washington held a 450-to-387 edge in total offense and nearly 39 minutes of possession time. A total of 10 Vikings totalled the 31 receptions thrown by Perry. Senior Casey Dell led the way with nine catches for 96 yards, while junior Travis McKee collected seven more for 69 yards.