The Cougar football team headed north of the border Saturday to take on Simon Fraser at Burnaby, British Columbia in their last regular season game of the 2013 season. With the 28-19 victory, the Cougars ended the regular season with a 9-1 GNAC conference and a 9-2 overall record.
Junior running back Terrell Watson rushed for 120 yards, giving him his ninth 100-yard game of the season. Watson also broke one of the longest standing records in Cougar football history, passing Christian Okoye with the most rushing yards in a season, ending the regular season with 1,702 yards.
Senior quarterback Dasmen Stewart had his second consecutive game with more than 250 yards passing. Stewart completed 10-of-15 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown.
The Cougar defense continued their impressive streak of forcing a turnover to 17 straight games with two interceptions, one from junior free safety Tyler Thornton and one from senior linebacker Jake Henderson, as well as a recovered fumble on Simon Fraser’s opening possession.
Simon Fraser struck first, late in the first quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Chris Tolbert, giving them a 6-0 lead as the extra point was blocked.
The Cougar offense answered right back, driving 75 yards on just five plays and ending with an 8-yard touchdown run by Watson. Simon Fraser then added another touchdown before the half, giving them a 13-7 lead at the break.
Simon Fraser then came out in the second half with a 70-yard drive deep into Cougar territory, but came up short as Henderson picked off a pass in the end zone for a touchback.
After the turnover, the Cougars offense marched down the field on six plays, capped off with a 2-yard touchdown run from junior running back Ronald Douglas, giving them a 14-13 lead. The Cougars scored again on a 7-yard pass from Stewart to junior receiver Ed Dillihunt with 12:41 left in the game, pushing their lead to 21-14.
Dillihunt finished the game with three receptions for 136 yards, giving the Cougars their first 100-yard receiving game of the season.
The Cougars were able to add one more score with a 10-yard run by Watson to cap the 28-19 victory.
The Cougars accepted the invitation to play in the National Christian College Athletic Association Victory Bowl in Rome, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 23.