EUGENE – The Roseburg defense shutout the Willamette Wolverines in the second half and squeaked out a 21-20 win on Friday night to keep their hopes of a playoff game alive.
The Indians’ defense got a late fourth down stop to seal the win over Willamette. The Wolverines had started at their own 3 yard line and drove into Roseburg territory thanks to a 51-yard reception by Tanner Branson. Willamette marched to the Roseburg 30, but the Indians held tough and forced the turnover on downs.
Roseburg forced Willamette into two turnovers on downs and the Indians picked off senior quarterback Taylor Bridge-Eiler twice in the second half to end Willamette drives early. The Wolverines got to inside the Roseburg 30 yard line on four drives in the second half, but failed to come away with points.
Meanwhile, the Indians took a one-point lead midway through the third quarter and it proved to be just enough. Quarterback Collin Warmouth capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 1-yard QB sneak to tie the game and Stephen Lake put the Indians in front with the extra point. The go-ahead drive was aided by three Willamette penalties.
Roseburg (3-5; 2-3 SWC) led 14-0 with 4:15 to go in the first quarter. Doran Gillespie got the Indians on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the game. Warmouth connected with Brendan Ibarra from 29-yards out to give Roseburg the two score lead.
The Indians struggled offensively the rest of the first half and Willamette came back to take a lead. Willamette broke the shutout when Bridge-Eiler connected with Branson for a 9-yard touchdown in the final moments of the first quarter.
The Wolverines tied the game on a pick-6 by senior Griffin LaVassaur early in the second quarter. Willamette (2-6; 1-4 SWC) took its first lead of the game with 3:23 left to play in the first half. Bridge-Eiler connected with Bryce Goggin for a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Wolverines were assessed two penalties on the extra point attempt and wound up trying a two-point conversion from the 23 yard line, but the pass was intercepted. The failed try proved to be the difference.
Bridge-Eiler finished just shy of 300 yards passing. He had two touchdown passes, but also three interceptions. Running back Tanner Webb had his best game on the ground, rushing for 130 yards. Goggin led the receivers with 133 yards and one score.
Roseburg’s offensive numbers weren’t astounding, but they got the job done. Warmouth finished with 142 yards passing, with a touchdown and one interception. He also had the one rushing touchdown, but finished with negative rushing yards. Brendan Ibarra led the rushing attack with 65 yards on 11 carries. Sophomore Jett Black was Roseburg’s leading receiver with 66 yards on eight catches.
The Indians improved to No. 32 in the rankings with the win and still have a shot at an at-large berth in the post season. If Willamette wins against North Medford next week, there will be a three-way tie for fourth and the Indians could also get one of the four auto-bids via the tiebreaker.
Roseburg ends the regular season with a non-league contest at North Salem on Friday night. Follow coverage of the game on CBS Sports Radio 1490 The Score or watch online at 541radio.com.
SCORES BY QUARTER
ROSEBURG 14; 0; 7; 0 – 21
WILLAMETTE 7; 13; 0; 0; 20
SCORING PLAYS
1st Quarter:
R – Gillespie 1yd run (Lake kick)
R – Ibarra 29yd pass from Warmouth (Lake kick)
W – Branson 9yd pass from Bridge-Eiler (LaVassaur kick)
2nd Quarter:
W – LaVassaur interception return (LaVassaur kick)
W – Goggin 15yd pass from Bridge-Eiler (2pt fail)
3rd Quarter:
R – Warmouth 1yd run (Lake kick)
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