2013-14 Football News

Season
Nelson Named BSN Second Team Preseason All-America
Nelson Named BSN Second Team Preseason All-America

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Jack Nelson (Sr., Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been named NCAA Division III Second Team Preseason All-America by the Beyond Sports Network. A total of 93 athletes were chosen for the Preseason All-America Team.

Bearcats Score 14 Points in Fourth Quarter to Rally Past Pacific, 21-17
Bearcats Score 14 Points in Fourth Quarter to Rally Past Pacific, 21-17

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University trailed Pacific University 17-7 entering the fourth quarter of their Northwest Conference game on Nov. 9 at McCulloch Stadium. The Boxers held a 203-185 edge in total offense after breaking a 7-7 halftime tie with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter.

Willamette Football Announces 2014 Schedule
Willamette Football Announces 2014 Schedule

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football has announced its schedule for the 2014 season. The Bearcats' nine-game slate, which features four home games, five road contests and a number of challenging opponents, will begin on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Four Bearcat Football Players Sign Contracts to Play in Germany
Four Bearcat Football Players Sign Contracts to Play in Germany

SALEM, ORE. -- Former Willamette University football players Tyson Giza (CB/KR, Salem, OR/Sprague HS), Josh Dean (QB, Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) and Ryan Johnston (WR, The Dalles, OR/The Dalles Wahtonka HS), as well as alumnus Cody Pastorino ('13) have all signed contracts to play professional football this coming year with clubs at varying levels of the German Football League (GFL).

Giza Named Third Team All-America by Beyond Sports Network
Giza Named Third Team All-America by Beyond Sports Network

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior cornerback Tyson Giza (Salem, OR/Sprague HS) of Willamette University has been chosen Third Team All-America for NCAA Division III as a kickoff return specialist by the Beyond Sports Network. A total of 101 players from Division III received First Team, Second Team or Third Team honors, while another 43 earned Honorable Mention.

Nelson Named Cliff Harris Award Finalist
Nelson Named Cliff Harris Award Finalist

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football player Jack Nelson (Jr., ILB, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) has been named a finalist for the 2013 Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation's top small college defensive player. The 49 finalists for the award include 20 players from NCAA Division III, 21 from NCAA Division II, and eight from NAIA institutions.

Giza and Nelson Earn Third Team All-West Region Honors
Giza and Nelson Earn Third Team All-West Region Honors

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football players Tyson Giza (Sr., CB, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) and Jack Nelson (Jr., ILB, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) have been named All-West Region by D3football.com for the 2013 season. Giza was named to the Third Team as a kick return specialist on offense and as a cornerback on defense. Nelson was chosen for the Third Team as a linebacker on defense.

Willamette Football Places 14 Players on All-Northwest Conference Team
Willamette Football Places 14 Players on All-Northwest Conference Team

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University placed 14 players on the 2013 All-Northwest Conference Football Team in voting by the NWC head coaches. Three Bearcats earned First Team All-NWC honors at four different positions, while four received Second Team recognition, and seven were chosen for Honorable Mention.

Willamette is Ranked #25 in AFCA Coaches Poll
Willamette is Ranked #25 in AFCA Coaches Poll

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University has returned to the NCAA Division III Coaches Poll released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). In the poll released on Monday, Nov. 18, the Bearcats were ranked #25 after finishing the season with a 7-2 overall record, including 4-2 (3rd place) in the Northwest Conference.

Dean Named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week
Dean Named NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- For the third time this year, Willamette University senior quarterback Josh Dean (Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week. His latest honor comes after directing the Bearcats to a 62-20 road victory over the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Willamette Rolls Up 690 Yards, as Bearcats Move Past Puget Sound, 62-20
Willamette Rolls Up 690 Yards, as Bearcats Move Past Puget Sound, 62-20

TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University rolled up 690 yards of total offense with 345 rushing yards and 345 passing yards, as the Bearcats moved past the University of Puget Sound, 62-20, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Willamette Concludes Season at Puget Sound
Willamette Concludes Season at Puget Sound

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, which is receiving votes in both the D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 polls, will conclude its regular season with a matchup against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Baker Stadium in Tacoma, Wash. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (PST).

Dean and Nelson are Selected First Team Academic All-District VIII
Dean and Nelson are Selected First Team Academic All-District VIII

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football players Josh Dean (Sr., QB, Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) and Jack Nelson (Jr., ILB, Portland, OR/Jesuit HS)  have been chosen First Team Capital One Academic All-District VIII for NCAA Division III in voting by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).  Dean was selected at quarterback, while Nelson was named to the team as a linebacker.

Giza Chosen as NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week
Giza Chosen as NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University cornerback Tyson Giza (Sr., Salem, OR/Sprague HS) has been named the Northwest Conference Football Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for games played on Nov. 9. His efforts on punt and kickoff returns helped the Bearcats in their 21-17 win over Pacific University at McCulloch Stadium.

Dean Leads Fourth Quarter Rally, as Bearcats Surge Past Boxers, 21-17
Dean Leads Fourth Quarter Rally, as Bearcats Surge Past Boxers, 21-17

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior quarterback Josh Dean (Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) led Willamette University on a fourth quarter rally from a 10-point deficit, as the Bearcats defeated Pacific University, 21-17, on Saturday, Nov. 9 at McCulloch Stadium.

Bearcats Offer Free Admission to Veterans and Military Personnel for Football vs. Pacific
Bearcats Offer Free Admission to Veterans and Military Personnel for Football vs. Pacific

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University will be providing free admission to all United States military veterans, active military personnel and their immediate family members to watch the Bearcats take on Pacific University in football at McCulloch Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.