Quarterback Throws for 468 Yards in First Start; Glen Fowles Wins First Game as Head Coach
ABILENE, TEXAS – Willamette quarterback Josh Dean (Jr., Dana Point, CA/Dana Hills HS) tied a school record with 6 touchdown passes in his first start to lead the Bearcats to a 58-34 victory on the road at Hardin-Simmons University (Texas) on Saturday, Sept. 1. Dean threw for 468 yards as he barely missed the Willamette record for passing yards in a game (473).
Dean’s passing helped the Bearcats win their first game under new Head Coach Glen Fowles and new offensive coordinator Brian Sheppard. Five different players caught touchdown passes for Willamette, with Jake Turner (Sr., WR, Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) scoring twice.
The WU touchdown passing record was previously set by former quarterback — and current Bearcat linebacker coach — John Horner (’94), who threw for 6 TDs against Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 23, 1993. The record of 473 passing yards was set by Todd Simis against Simon Fraser on Oct. 27, 1990.
Against Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, Willamette also rushed for 260 yards on 49 carries and scored two touchdowns on the ground. Dylan Jones (So., RB, Santa Maria, CA/Ernest Righetti HS) scored on a 63-yard pass and a 7-yard run. Terrell Malley (Jr., HB, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) scored on a 45-yard run.
Malley finished with 96 rushing yards on 5 carries. Jones rushed for 94 yards on 22 carries.
WU amassed 727 total yards, just 11 yards short of the school record.
Willamette does not play next weekend. The Bearcats will return to action with their home opener on Friday, Sept. 14 against East Texas Baptist University. Kickoff at McCulloch Stadium is set for 7 p.m. (PDT).
Source: Willamette University