Bearcats to Host Pacific University in Northwest Conference Opener

By Charlie McGuire, Athletics Communications Assistant

SALEM, Ore. – The Willamette University football team hosts Pacific University in its Northwest Conference opener on Saturday, Oct. 2, at McCulloch Stadium. The Bearcats enter the game 1-2 on the yea. WU opened the 2021 season with a 48-35 win over the University of Puget Sound. That game was a non-conference match-up and the teams will meet again on Nov. 13 in Tacoma, Washington.

Starting quarterback Aiden Kuykendall (Sr., San Pedro, CA/Palos Verdes Peninsula HS) has completed just under 53 percent of his passes, going 48 of 91 for 579 years and seven touchdowns. Kuykendall has used a number of different receivers with Noah Niblett (Fy., TE/WR, Coos Bay, OR/Marshfield HS) leading the way with 14 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Max Andersen (Sr., WR, Chico, CA/Pleasant Valley HS) has 10 catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns on the year.Sophomore Jared Paredes (WR, West Covina, CA/Northview HS) has three touchdown receptions, pulling in nine passes for 136 yards.

Dylan Sparks (Sr., RB, Beaumont, CA/Beaumont HS) and Tyler Epefanio (Fy., RB, Spokane, WA/Lakeside HS) lead the Bearcats in rushing, combining for 110 yards on 31 carries. Epifanio has been solid on kickoff returns, averaging 28.8 yards on four returns. He has added 13 yards on a pair of punt returns.

Keaton Adams (Sr., DE, Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty HS) has garnered a couple of NWC Student-Athlete of the Week honors this season. He leads the Bearcats with 19 tackles, including 10.5 for losses and six sacks. He returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown and has blocked two kicks, returning one for a two-point conversion against Lincoln University of California.

Dylan Hall (So., LB, Erie, CO/Peak to Peak HS) has recorded 19 tackles while Albert Ramon Jr. (Hesperia, CA/Northview HS) ranks third with 17 stops this season. Senior defensive back Dylan Streett (Santa Barbara, CA/Bishop Diego HS) has 10 solo tackles (16 total) and an interception. Preston Doyle (Sr., LB, Sacramento, CA/Inderkum HS) has 10 tackles and a 52-yard interception return.

Sam Adams (Sr., WR/P, Sacramento, CA/Rio Americano HS) has punted 17 times, averaging 33.1 yards per kick. First-year place kicker Camdin Dirnberger (Missoula, MT/Sentinel HS) has converted 7 of 8 extra-points.

Pacific comes in with a 1-1 record, falling to Chapman University, 35-23, in its opener. One week later, the Boxers topped Pomona-Pitzer University on a last second touchdown as quarterback Kenyon Harris connected with Ty Hargis on a 13-yard strike with four seconds remaining for a 38-35 win.

Harris has completed 49 of 61 passes for 560 yards and four touchdowns this season. Hargis leads the receivers with 17 catches of 180 yards and one touchdown. Kyle Kern has three touchdowns, covering 146 yards on 13 receptions. Joshua Harris is the top rusher with 61 carries for 285 yards and four touchdowns.

Chase Hoffman has a team-high 14 tackles to lead the Boxer defense. Michael Timmerman has nine tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss, one sack and a fumble recovery.

The Boxers are averaging 406 yards of total offense this season. They have averaged 30.5 points per game in their two outings.

Opening kickoff for Willamette against Pacific is set for 4:00 .p.m (PDT).