Simon Fraser University football team failed to stop a six-game slide.
The Clan made a valiant effort in the fourth quarter against the Dixie State Red Storm, but came up just short, losing 42-35 on Terry Fox Field Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 28-14 heading into the final quarter, the Clan scored two touchdowns to tie the game.
Facing a third-and-six near midfield, quarterback Ryan Stanford (20 for 29 and 232 yards two TD, 2 int) hit a crossing Bobby Pospischil (four catches for 73 yds.) for a 22-yd. gain.
Stanford then found wide receiver Kyle Kawamoto (five receptions for 82 yds. and two TDs) in the back of the end zone for a score on a fourth and goal.
The Clan defence would hold on the ensuing Red Storm drive forcing a punt to kick returner Earl Anderson (99 all-purpose yards) standing at his 30 yard line. Anderson would then take the ball and turn to his right before cutting up field weaving his way through oncoming tacklers. Finding a seam,
After forcing Dixie State to punt, Earl Anderson returned the punt 70 yds. for the touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to knot the score.
“As soon as I looked around the corner, I saw the blockers perfectly and saw an opening, so I cut it back,” Anderson said on the play.
But Dixie State responded with a touchdown on the next drive putting the Red Storm ahead again by seven.
Then, with the Clan being forced to punt, the snap sailed over the head of punter Nikolai Karpun, resulting in a turnover that led to a second straight Dixie State touchdown.
Down by 14, SFU marched back down field starting off with a 24-yd. pass from Stanford to Pospischil. Then, facing fourth-and-six from the Dixie 30 yard line, Stanford completed a pass to Kawamoto who was able to turn up field for an 11-yd. gain and a first down. Stanford again went back to Kawamoto for a 19-yd. touchdown to make the score 42-35 with 1:12 remaining in the game.
Kawamoto recovered the ensuing onside kick, but on SFU’s first play following the turnover, Stanford was intercepted by Zac Christian ending the Clan’s comeback bid.
Running back Chris Tolbert rushed for 105 yds. and two touchdowns, while adding 31 yds. throught the air for the Clan.
SFU trailed Dixie State 28-14 at halftime.
All-American wide receiver Lemar Durant, in his first game back off injury since Sept. 7 had seven catches for 46 yds.
Simon Fraser (2-6) will play host to Humboldt State on Saturday at Terry Fox Field. Game time is 6 p.m.
