Willamette Wins First-Round Naia Playoff Game In Ot

Small colleges

Brandon Folkert intercepted a pass in overtime Saturday to lead Willamette to a 26-20 win over Western Oregon in the first round of the NAIA playoffs.

Tim Blair scored from 3 yards out after the interception by Folkert, the Northwest Conference defensive player of the year.

The second-ranked Bearcats rolled up 365 yards in total offense against the No. 13 Wolfpack, with Willamette quarterback Chuck Pinkerton throwing for 159 yards and two touchdowns, and running for 55 yards.

Pinkerton hit freshman Kyle Carlson with touchdown passes of 7 and 9 yards in regulation.

Blair opened the Willamette scoring with a 38-yard end-around, hiding the ball on his hip as he raced past WOC safety Corey Sutton.

Freshman running back Jason Espiau, Jason Taroli and quarterback Kevin Bickler each scored for Western Oregon.

The game went into overtime after Western Oregon cornerback Evan Weygandt intercepted a Pinkerton pass in the end zone late in the fourth quarter.

Willamette advances to the NAIA quarterfinals against Montana Tech on Dec. 6.

The Bearcats could become the last Northwest school to win an NAIA championship because all Northwest schools are withdrawing from the NAIA next year. Willamette is among those moving to NCAA Division III, and others are moving to NCAA Division II.

Willamette had earned national attention earlier this season after 5-foot-5 place-kicker Liz Heaston became the first woman ever to play in a college football game.

Western Oreon finished the season at 7-3.

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