Willamette Announces Football Schedule for 2015

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team has announced its schedule for the 2015 season. Willamette will play nine regular season games, with the Bearcats playing five home games at McCulloch Stadium.

Willamette will open the season at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 12. Game time is slated for 6 p.m. (CDT)/4 p.m. (PDT). This past season, Willamette led 13-10 at halftime on its way to a 34-10 victory.

The Bearcats will play their first home game of the season on Sept. 19 against California Lutheran University. Kickoff time has not yet been determined. In 2014, the Bearcats defeated the Kingsmen, 42-24, in California.

Following an open date, the Bearcats will begin Northwest Conference action by hosting University of Puget Sound at McCulloch Stadium on Oct. 3. The Loggers upset the Bearcats last fall, 27-14, after building a 21-0 lead in the first half. This year's game time has not been selected.

Willamette will return home to take on archrival Linfield College on Oct. 17. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. (PDT). This past season, the Bearcats upset the Wildcats, 31-28, in McMinnville, Oregon.

On Oct. 24, the Bearcats will take on Pacific University at 1 p.m. (PDT) in Forest Grove, Oregon. The Boxers downed Willamette 41-24 in 2014, but the Bearcats prevailed 21-17 during the 2013 season.

The annual Wagon Wheel Game between Willamette and Lewis & Clark College is set for 1 p.m. (PDT) on Oct. 31 in Salem, Oregon. The Bearcats, who won last year's game 47-5, have kept possession of the Wagon Wheel 20 times in the last 21 meetings.

Willamette is scheduled to remain at home the following weekend to take on Whitworth University on Nov. 7, with kickoff at 1 p.m. (PST). Last fall, senior running back Dylan Jones (Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) rushed for a school record 350 yards on 30 carries, but the Pirates won the game, 61-45.

The final regular season game for the Bearcats will be played at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. (PST). WU turned a 7-3 halftime lead into a 38-6 win over the Bruins last season in a Friday night game on Oct. 3, 2014.

Willamette concluded the 2014 season with a 5-4 overall record, including 3-4 in the NWC (5th place tie). The Bearcats are 20-8 (.714) in three years under Head Coach Glen Fowles.

Senior linebacker Jack Nelson (Portland, OR/Jesuit HS) was named First Team All-American and First Team All-West Region following the 2014 season. He was a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award for the second year in a row. Nelson also was named First Team Capital One Academic All-America.

Jones was one of four finalists for the Gagliardi Award, which goes to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III each season. Jones was named Second Team All-America, was chosen First Team All-West Region, and was the NWC Offensive Player of the Year.