The SFU Clan Football team (0–8) suffered a hard-fought 30–24 defeat to the Central Washington Wildcats (4–5) on a cold and rainy Senior’s Day. Playing their last home game of the year, the Clan hoped to avenge a 40–7 defeat earlier in the season to Central Washington. The young SFU squad pulled ahead 7–3 early in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown from Ante Milanovic-Litre.
The momentum continued when the Clan defence blocked a Central Washington University (CWU) field goal attempt. In an unexpected turn of events, Clan quarterback Ryan Stanford threw an interception on the very next play. In response, defensive back Robin Weathersby decided the Clan needed the ball back and picked off CWU’s Justin Lane on the very next play. Both defences then held firm to close out the half.
CWU then took a 9–7 lead to open the second half scoring on a Quincy Carter two-yard touchdown run with the extra point missing wide left. The Clan responded right away with Stanford connecting with DB Justin Buren on a spectacular 75-yard catch and run for a 14–9 lead. After forcing a punt, the Clan offence had their best drive of the day. The offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage, with Milanovic-Litre busting off huge chunks of yardage. This eventually led to Milanovic-Litre’s second touchdown run of the day. The touchdown was aided by a huge block by Michael Couture as the Clan soared to a 21–9 lead.
The turning point of the game followed as CWU’s dangerous return man Jesse Zalk took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the house. The Clan managed to earn one first down on the ensuing series before punting the ball out of bounds at midfield to give CWU outstanding field position. The Wildcats took advantage by easily marching down the field and scoring on Quincy Carter’s second touchdown of the day. Weathersby then broke up the two-point conversation to keep the score a tight 22–21 for CWU.
On the ensuing drive, the Clan marched down the field and Marcus Johnson connected on a clutch 44 yard field goal attempt. The kick gave SFU a 24–22 lead. Milanovic-Litre scampered for a 27-yard run on the drive, leading Stanford and Buren to connect on a key third down completion. Despite another impressive pass breakup by Weathersby, CWU moved down the field with ease. Central Washington’s Justin Lane then connected with Justin Peterson for a 25-yard touchdown and the two-point conversation to take a 30–24 lead with just under 10 minutes left in the ball game.
After two unsuccessful offensive drives and big defensive plays by safety Ben Minaker and defensive back Robin Weathersby, SFU buried CWU deep with a coffin corner kick at the five-yard line with 4:35 remaining. CWU decided to play it safe and ran down the clock. The SFU coaches elected not to use one of their two remaining timeouts on fourth down and let 40 seconds run off the clock. With 2:10 left, the Wildcats boomed a deep high kick which the SFU returner did not attempt to field. This flipped the field position battle creating a long field for SFU’s dramatic attempt for last-minute glory.
Beginning at their 29 yard line, the SFU offence struggled to put together any big plays. On fourth and fifth from midfield, Stanford threw deep, hoping his receivers would make a play. The ball bounced down the field, but a flag for pass interference extended the game. From the 28 yard line, Stanford delivered two excellent passes downfield that were dropped by his receivers. On fourth down with 38 seconds remaining, the Clan’s last gasp fell short as CWU picked off the ball and subsequently kneeled, ending an intense ball game.
The Clan fought hard, but were undone by big plays and that huge special teams return. Ante Milanovic-Litre led the offence with 145 tough yards on 21 carries and with two touchdowns. Stanfield completed 16 passes on 39 attempts for 235 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
