Last Week 11–4

Season 34–29

That’s right baby! I was 11–4 last week with my upset special coming through for the second week in a row as the Rams pulled off a huge win over Arizona. Hopefully you took my advice and checked out the Saints vs. Chargers thriller, which saw Drew Brees lead an improbable fourth quarter comeback in his old stomping grounds. This week should offer plenty more intrigue as the teams are rounding into mid-season form.

Byes: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle

Arizona (1–3) at San Francisco (1–3), Thursday 5:25 p.m.

The Cardinals suffered a frustrating loss last week at home against the Rams, and will be without the services of quarterback Carson Palmer. Full panic mode sets in the desert after the Niners take this one.

Prediction: San Francisco 24 Arizona 14

Chicago (1–3) at Indianapolis (1–3), Sunday 10 a.m.

The Colts are coming off a lacklustre defeat against Jacksonville in London, and will be facing a Bears team coming off their first win of the season. Brian Hoyer looked good last week and will continue to play well as the Bears send Andrew Luck and company to a 1–4 season start.

Prediction: Chicago 31 Indianapolis 28

Philadelphia (3–0) at Detroit (1–3), Sunday 10 a.m.

Philadelphia has looked dominant this season and is coming off a bye. The Lions were upset last week by the Bears and will be playing desperately to avoid a 1–4 start. Detroit has too many defensive injuries to stop the Philadelphia offence, as rookie quarterback Carson Wentz will continue to shine.

Prediction: Philadelphia 27 Detroit 24

Washington (2–2) at Baltimore (3–1), Sunday 10 a.m.

Baltimore finally dropped a game last week to the upstart Raiders, as the team continues to struggle on offence. Washington has won two straight and has found a running game. This is essentially a neutral site game with the proximity between these two teams. Washington takes it in a minor upset.

Prediction: Washington 28 Baltimore 23

Tennessee (1–3) at Miami (1–3), Sunday 10 a.m.

Miami’s three losses were to New England, Seattle, and Cincinnati. They get a softy this week and will take care of business at home.

Prediction: Miami 23 Tennessee 16

Houston (3–1) at Minnesota (4–0), Sunday 10 a.m.

The Texans were shut out by the Patriots, and this Vikings defence is even better. Vikings move to 5–0 with another lockdown defensive performance. If you like linebacker play, keep an eye on the Vikings’ Anthony Barr.

Prediction: Minnesota 23 Houston 6

New England (3–1) at Cleveland (0–4), Sunday 10 a.m.

Tom Brady and his four Super Bowl rings and six AFC titles is back after his four-game suspension. Look for Rob Gronkowski who has one reception on the season to get it going.  Patriots in a romp.

Prediction: New England 42 Cleveland 13

New York Jets (1–3) at Pittsburgh (3–1), Sunday 10 a.m.

Pittsburgh got rolling last week on offence dropping 43 points on a good Chiefs team. Look for the momentum to continue as the Steelers continue to look like one of the AFC’s best.

Prediction: Steelers 39 Jets 17

GAME OF THE WEEK

Atlanta (3–1) at Denver (4–0), Sunday 1:05 p.m

Atlanta battered Cam Newton and the Panthers last week in an impressive victory. They also defeated the Raiders on the road, which is increasingly looking like a quality win. Last week star receiver Julio Jones also went off with 12 receptions for 300 yards and a touchdown. The flip-side of this matchup is that Denver is at home and continues to play dominant defensive football. This should be an outstanding game with both teams looking like early championship contenders. Broncos hold the fort in a close game that demonstrates the Falcons can play with the big boys.

Prediction: Denver 27 Atlanta 26

Buffalo (2–2) at Los Angeles (3–1), Sunday 1:25 p.m.

The Rams are 3–1 despite an offence that has been woefully anemic in three of their four games. The Bills are coming off a huge emotional win against their arch-nemesis, New England, and are travelling across country. The Bills just look like the more balanced team. Tyrod Taylor leads a clutch fourth quarter scoring driver to lead the Bills to consecutive victories.

Prediction: Buffalo 23 Los Angeles 20

San Diego (1–3) at Oakland (3–1), Sunday 1:25 p.m.

The Chargers and Raiders have both played good football this season with the difference being that the Raiders have performed well in crunch time and the Chargers have repeatedly blown games late. The Raiders and their impressive three-road victories pick up their first home win of the year as the Derek Carr to Michael Crabtree connection continues to flourish.

Prediction: Oakland 38 San Diego 31

Cincinnati (2–2) at Dallas (3–1), Sunday 1:25 p.m.

Dallas is off to a 3–1 start thanks in part to the strong play of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. The Bengals are coming off a solid win against Miami, and will go into Big D and get a W.

Prediction: Bengals 29 Cowboys 24

UPSET SPECIAL

New York Giants (2–2) at Green Bay (2–1), Sunday 5:30 p.m.

Green Bay may be the most overrated team in the league this year. Yes, Aaron Rodgers is a top five QB in the game. However, the team’s two victories were close affairs over the Jaguars and the Lions. Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning has won a playoff game in Green Bay and will use that experience and his talented receiving corps to lead his team to victory in a high-scoring affair.  

Prediction: Prediction: Giants 40 Green Bay 36

Tampa Bay (1–3) at Carolina (1–3), Monday 5:25 p.m.

Both teams will be determined to avoid a 1–4 start. The Panthers may be without star quarterback Cam Newton. Fortunately, Derek Anderson is one of the best backups in the game.
Prediction: Panthers 26 Bucs 21

It was a furiously intense game from start to finish for the women’s soccer team, defeating Western Oregon University (WOU) 6–0. SFU lost its previous two home games against Western Washington University (1–0) and Seattle Pacific University (1–2).

Monpreet Heer dismantled WOU’s defence, assaulting it with two goals and two assists. Emma Pringle, Katelyn Erhardsen, and Jenna Baxter each netted a goal for SFU. Goalies Priya Sandhu and Simone Tessler made a total of five saves. Sierra Leung closed out the Clan’s performance with a goal in the 87th minute.

Erhardsen opened the score in the 16th minute with a high lob, assisted by twins Christina and Allyson Dickson. Less than 60 seconds later, freshman Pringle doubled the immediate lead of the Clan, with a majestic header from inside the box after catching a header off cross from Heer, adding a sixth goal to her first season. Thirty minutes into the game, forward Heer opened her scoring account for the season with a penalty kick after Christina Dickson was hauled down in the Wolves’ box.

The Clan, more motivated than ever, did not wait long for a fourth goal. Two minutes later, Allyson Dickson combined a passing game with Heer, who fired a shot to the left corner of the box. The girls were leading 4–0 at the end of the first half.

Midfielder Baxter notched a goal 25 minutes into the second half. Leung deployed some speed down the left sideline, getting the ball to Heer, who was already positioned in Wolves’ territory. Baxter, an Oregon State transfer, curled a shot that landed straight into the right corner of the net.

“It was important for the team and us to get other people to score, just let other players rise up and shine and see what they can do”

Three minutes before ending the Wolves’ nightmare, Leung attacked with a low shot into the penalty box and scored an absolute beauty, assisted by Allyson Dickson.

“I wanted to score a goal today, I just didn’t let anything get in my way. All of us collectively each wanted to [get] a goal,” said Leung.

Heer, who was the leading scorer of the game, commented on the Clan’s performance: “We came into this game with a lot of confidence in ourselves. It’s been a goal of mine too to get on the scoring sheet, and today I did that.”

The Clan gave no easy task to Wolves’ goalkeeper Caitlin Kastelic; the team created a total of 24 attempts, including six goals.

“We chatted before the game as a team, it was important to come confident to the pitch and execute the way we play,” explained head coach Annie Hamel. “Those two losses were against two really good opponents. We had a very candid chat about who we want to be and how we want to play. They executed very well the plan.

“We talked about confidence and their burning desire to win. It was important for the team and us to get other people to score, just let other players rise up and shine and see what they can do.”

The Clan is looking forward to adding another victory against the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on October 6.

Over the weekend, SFU went on its annual preseason tour of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I opponents. These teams are at a level significantly higher than SFU, and although SFU lost both games, head coach Mark Coletta liked what he saw from his team.

“We look for compete level,” said Coletta on what he was looking for from his team. “Who’s focused and the mental part of the game is very important when you play those guys. [However], the part of the game we were really focused on was their feet. Who’s moving, who’s not moving, [because] you definitely can’t watch against those teams, you’ll get punished pretty quick.”

The first game on the trip was against Alaska Anchorage. Although the score was only 1–0 after the first period, the Seawolves exploded for three in the second and another two in the third to make the final score 6–1. However, the game was marked by a number of penalties taken by SFU.

“They call things a lot tighter down there,” said Coletta on the number of penalties. “The stick infractions are called every time, whether it’s a hook of the hand or a little cross check on the pants. Anytime the stick comes parallel up on the ice they’re going to call it.

“We have to figure that part out, [and] I think we did a good job of Sunday to make sure our sticks were on the ice, and if you’re going to interfere with anybody, your stick is going to be on the ice in a stick-to-puck situation.”

Next up was Alaska Fairbanks on Sunday night. This time SFU played to a 2–0 defeat; still a loss, but considering what happened the previous night, a step in the right direction.

“I think maybe we were a little more aggressive on the forecheck and made sure we were in the right spots to crash down, whether it was with our defencemen or our high guy,” remarked Coletta. “We did a very good job of that I thought. We were unfortunate to get a bad bounce for the 1–0 goal, and the 2–0 Adam Callegari had a chance to make it 1–1, and they went back down and scored. I think we were good for the tie, maybe even the win that game.”

These games take on a more significant meaning when you consider the changes that could potentially be happening to SFU hockey in the future. In April, SFU Athletics announced they were looking into the feasibility of having a Division I hockey program. If it were to happen, both Alaska teams would likely be in the same conference as SFU.

“I don’t think it’s different than any other year. [. . .] It’s a chance to play a Division I program that’s got all the bells and whistles,” said Coletta. “We’re just a team of meat and potatoes and we’re going to go out there and bust our you-know-whats to win a hockey game. There’s no difference on how we approach things.”

Next Up:

SFU is on the road on back-to-back nights, first playing Eastern Washington University and then four-time defending champions Selkirk College.

“Eastern Washington will be good,” said Coletta. “They’ve recruited a bunch of guys and I think they’re going to be better than they were last year and they will be looking to make the playoffs.

“Selkirk are the defending champs. [. . .] They play a gritty style, especially up in their barn. They’re a rugged bunch of guys who are in your face all the time. That style of play has been effective for them obviously for the last four years. We expect them to be the leaders of our league, and to be the best you have to beat the best. Right now they’re sitting on top in my opinion.”

It was a tough game to watch for the estimated 1,225 in attendance at Saturday’s Homecoming game, the first football game to be played at Terry Fox Field since the team started playing at Swangard Stadium.

With the exception of the Central Washington Wildcats fans who came in — who were likely unnerved by the sudden temperature drop that Fall has brought only a week in, magnified by the metal bleachers — there wasn’t much to cheer for.

SFU’s offence seemed non-existent, going scoreless in three quarters, and waiting until there was less than six minutes left in the final quarter to put up their only points, a single touchdown. Even then, the extra-point kick was blocked, leaving SFU with a 55–6 loss.

The Athletics department seemed to do a good job filling seats (despite scheduling the game at the same time as a BC Lions game), but the result — their fifth loss on the season, and their 18th straight loss — left much to be desired, to say the least.

“It was great to be up here on campus,” said head coach Kelly Bates. “Everyone just wishes that they would’ve put on a better show for everybody that was here.”

“I think in the greater picture of things, they did a really good job of homecoming. It was awesome to have so many people come out, and in the future that’s the kind of culture we’re trying to establish,” said running back Ante Litre. “As far as the game goes, it’s a tough one.”

There were few, if any, victories to be found in this one. SFU started on offence, but was unable to achieve even a first down in their first five drives.

Central Washington, on the other hand, was startlingly effective in their first few drives. Their first attempt on the offensive side of the ball was a successful 53 yard pass for a touchdown. Afterwards, the two-point conversion attempt failed as SFU’s Ben Minaker intercepted the ball. 6–0 Wildcats.

On their next drive, Central Washington’s Jesse Zalk ran it in 56 yards on the punt return for their second of seven touchdowns. Needless to say, they went with the extra point kick. They ended the quarter up 20–0, and add 14 points in both the second and third quarter.

Throughout the game, quarterback Miles Richardson did not seem to have much protection, and was often forced to scramble and made some questionable passes, though he did not throw a single interception. He threw for only 99 yards, and was sacked four times.

SFU’s only respite came in the fourth quarter when running back Jalen Jana ran 36 yards for SFU’s only touchdown. The team’s defence, despite letting 55 points, did have flashes of goodness, holding the Wildcats to only one touchdown in the quarter.

“It’s a maturing process. It’s going to take a long time. We have to be great teachers, we have to be patient with our kids.”

“I was really proud of the whole team because they didn’t quit at all, and we saw that in the fourth quarter when there was no chance of coming back,” said Litre, who played his first game after missing two weeks with a leg injury.

It wasn’t until deep in the fourth quarter that SFU’s offence was able to muster up anything, when Central Washington was undoubtedly giving a lesser effort, having put their backup quarterback in.

Heck, even SFU switched quarterbacks giving Richardson a rest. At the end of the third quarter, backup Mihai Lapuste went in, going seven for nine on passes, making 98 yards.

Unlike the Clan’s 21–21 fourth quarter against Azusa two weeks ago, this didn’t feel like something to build on so much as the exception to an otherwise just bad game.

However, it’s the one positive we can take out of this one.

“I think we’ll be able to pull something together, because there’s a lot of heart on this team. There’s glimpses all throughout the game. If we go back and watch the tape, we just got to figure out a way to put it all together,” said Litre, who put up 23 rushing yards.

The biggest problem is that the team is so young. Out of 72 players listed on the roster sheet, 36 players are listed as being in their first year of playing, and only six are listed as having redshirted previously — meaning that the vast majority of those are straight out high school. In an ideal scenario, a team would redshirt most of the players from high school, giving them time to adjust. There appears to be only two players currently redshirting, and one of them is because of injury.

“I understand why it’s happening, we all as a group — the men in that room — understand why it’s happening,” said Bates. “These are the trials and tribulations that we will face and so the process starts to take over. Like I said many times, it’s a two- to four-year process. It’s not fair to the seniors that are in there right now, I understand that, but their legacy will be the attitude that they leave this program.

“It’s a maturing process. It’s going to take a long time. We have to be great teachers, we have to be patient with our kids, and we have to create a positive atmosphere that allows them to grow. And it’s going to take time. That’s the bottom line, you’re not going to get results overnight.”

It’s going to be tough, both for the team and the fans. And the marketing department I imagine — it’s tough to sell a team that hasn’t won since 2014 and that’s best game this year was a 32 point loss.

But for now, all we can do is trust the process.

NEXT SATURDAY: SFU goes on the road to take on the Western Oregon Wolves in Monmouth, OR at 1 pm.

Western Oregon holds the second-worst overall record in the GNAC, going 2–3, but are 1–2 in GNAC competition, tied with Humboldt State. The Wolves are coming off a 31–2 loss to Azusa Pacific, in which they somehow managed to put up 424 yards of offence without achieving a single touchdown or field goal.

Wolves’ wide receiver Paul Revis leads the GNAC in all-purpose yards with 164.4 per game, as well as in receptions per game (6.2), and in punt return average (22.2 yards).