The Pacific University Boxers started fast and commanded the first half but won in a come from behind victory in the fourth quarter over the Willamette Bearcats, 29-24. The winning touchdown featured what has become standard plays from quarterback Warner Shaw, receiver Nathan Suyematsu and running backs Bronson Barretto and Kamana Pimental.

Much like the weather of the dry afternoon, the scoring drought was about to end in a downpour of offense before the night was through. The Boxers final and game winning score started on their own 11-yard line near the eight minute mark of the fourth quarter. With third and ten still at the eleven yard line, Nathan Suyematsu hauled in a 23-yard catch from Warner Shaw and went out of bounds at their own 34-yard line to keep the drive going. After a six-yard rush by Kamana Pimental, Suyematsu hauled in another long catch for 47-yards down to the Bearcats 13. Bronson Barretto rushed to the ten yard line before Warner Shaw was sacked for a loss of six. Shaw made up for it by keeping the ball and taking it down to the three yard line, setting up a Kamana Pimental three yard punch for the winning score. It was the first time the Boxers had scored since the first half. The downpour of rain waited until after the game was over.

The first half was a flurry of offense favoring the Boxers. The first quarter featured only a field goal by the Boxers Alex Beekman from the Bearcats 32. The second quarter would start quickly with a strike from Warner Shaw to Nathan Suyematsu for 29-yards setting up a Bronson Barretto two-yard score.

The Boxers second touchdown of the quarter featured mostly success from the running backs but would end with back Kamana Pimental catching a touchdown pass from Warner Shaw for twelve yards. The drive also featured 21-yards rushing by Pimental on three carries and Bronson Barretto rushing for eleven yards on two attempts. Thrown in for good measure was a 19-yard pass from Shaw to Nathan Suyematsu.

Before the third Boxer touchdown of the quarter could be scored, the Bearcats managed a 37-yard field goal from Cameron Coe. The Boxers answered back with a Bronson Barretto three yard score with a minute and a half left before halftime. The Boxers went into the locker room feeling plenty of cushion with a 23-3 lead.

That cushion disappeared in the third quarter. It took Willamette three minutes on their first possession of the second half to starting coming back. With a 19 yard pass from quarterback Ryan Knowlton to receiver Erik Baker, the Bearcats cut the deficit to 23-10.

On the Bearcats second possession, it only took them one minute. On their first play, Bryan Toles rushed 75 yards down to the Boxers five yard line. After a one yard gain by Jack Valencia, Jacob Swilley took it the last four yards and a touchdown. The Bearcats were now within a touchdown at 23-17.

The Bearcats waited until their first possession of the fourth quarter to take the lead. In one minute and one second of possession, Ryan Knowlton rushed for 57-yards setting up a sixteen yard score by Bryan Toles. Willamette now led by one precarious point, 24-23. It was time for the Boxers to wake up. Both teams traded possessions before the Boxers scored their game winning touchdown.

Warner Shaw continued his league leading performance with 218 yards going 15 for 25 throwing for a touchdown with no interceptions. The Boxers had three excellent running backs led by Bronson Barretto with 75-yards on 17 attempts and two touchdowns. Kamana Pimental had 57-yards on twelve carries and one touchdown. Greg Alip had 56 yards on just three attempts. Nathan Suyematsu led all receivers with 175-yards on ten receptions.

For the Bearcats, Bryan Toles shined with 103 receiving yards on seven catches.

Pacific’s defense was led by Trey Kodama with eight tackles. Kodama, Jeff Bajema and Xavier Harvey each had one sack.

The Pacific University Boxers (3-1, 5-2) climbed into a three-way tie for second in the division with a Whitworth Pirates (3-1, 6-1) loss and a Puget Sound Athletics (3-1, 4-2) win. With the loss, the Willamette Bearcats (1-3, 1-5) remain in seventh place.

The Boxers will travel next week to Spokane, Washington for 1pm meeting with the Whitfield Pirates while the Bearcats travel to Salem, Oregon for a 1pm meeting with the Lewis & Clark Pioneers.

By Greg Stoker
@GDStoker