Turnovers proved costly for the Simon Fraser University Clan football team.
The varsity Clan lost its fourth consecutive start in the Great Northwest conference following a 54-14 loss to the Central Washington Wildcats on Saturday.
SFU’s last win was a 21-14 road win over the second-place Wildcats back in September.
“We just couldn’t get the ball going (on offence),” said SFU tight end Jamal Kett, who finished the game with six catches for 54 yards.
The Clan turned the ball over six times in the game, including a fumble on the opening kickoff, which resulted in Central Washington’s first touchdown.
Down 16-0, SFU quarterback Ryan Stanford, who completed 19 of 27 passes for 158 yards, two TDs and three interceptions, hit wide receiver Bobby Borcky for a 43-yard pass and two plays later found Borcky in the end zone for SFU’s first score.
SFU shaved the deficit to 16-14 following a 12-yard touchdown pass to receiver Bobby Pospischil in the end zone.
The scoring drive was helped along by defensive end Dylan Roper, who sacked Wildcat QB Jake Nelson, which led to a turnover on downs, and two plays later Chris Tolbert ran 42 yards to the Central Washington 12 yard line.
But it all came apart after that.
On the ensuing kickoff, Wildcat returnman Jesse Zalk returned the ball 75 yards for a score.
Central Washington scored three more times to go into half time leading 44-14 and a big enough lead to avenge its only conference this season. The Wildcats currently share the lead in the conference with Azusa Pacific, both with 5-1 records.
“We just didn’t make the plays we needed to,” said SFU safety Travis Hayes, who had one interception for the Clan.
This weekend, the Clan is in Monmouth, Oregon to take on Western Oregon.
