Greetings, Lion fans. The staff here at The Wire hopes that all are remaining safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. Like all of you, we much rather be covering the Blue-Gold game, discussing position battles, and, in addition, seeing just how far the Lady Lion basketball team would go. Softball. Track and Field. Golf.

Unfortunately, things have changed all over the country. The best thing to do now is follow the guidelines set forth by authorities, and hang in there. Things will get better soon enough.

In the meantime, though, in order to bring a little normalcy to things, we’re going to start taking a look at the upcoming 2020 football schedule. For the time being, once a week, I’ll break down the schedule. This week, we take a look at our neighbors from north of the border, Simon Fraser University.

2019 Simon Fraser Clan Football-

Record: 1-9

Biggest Win: vs. Azuza Pacific, 24-17

Biggest Loss: vs. Portland State, 70-7

Common Opponent: Angelo State (Lost 68-7), Western Oregon (51-14)

Starters Returning: Offense-6, Defense 11

BEHIND THE NUMBERS-

Offense-

Points-13.0 ppg

Rushing-54.7 ypg

Passing-238.6 ypg

Total-287.1 ypg

Turnovers-18

Defense-

Points-48.3 ppg

Rushing-240.5 ypg

Passing-252.7 ypg

Total-491.9 ypg

Turnovers-9

RETURNING LEADERS-

OFFENSE-

Passing- Brandon Niksich (6’5″ 180 lbs., Fr.) 150-281-10; 1,926 yds. 10 touchdowns, Long 75

Rushing- Solomon Hines (6’1″ 180 lbs., RS-Fr.) 116-494 yds., 2 touchdowns, Long 41

Mason Glover (5’9″ 200 lbs., RS-Fr.) 89-222 yds., 1 touchdown, Long 14

Receiving- Ethan Beselt (5’9″ 165 lbs., Jr.) 37-461 yds, Long 52

Gavin Cobb (5’10” 160 lbs., Jr.) 28-338 yds. , Long 73

Robert Meador (6’2″ 190 lbs., Soph.) 21-234 yds., 1 touchdown, Long 30

OVERVIEW-The Clan appear to be young an inexperienced on offense. While having some size in the offensive line, the Clan start a lot of freshmen and sophomores. Niksich appears to be a fairly accurate passer, but does not have the big play targets on the other end. The running game is rebuilding under Hines and Glover.

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS-

Tackles-

Griffin Barrett-LB (5’11” 215 lbs., Jr.) 105 (49 solo)

Ian Crocker-LB (6’1″ 205 lbs., Fr.) 64 (40 solo)

Brandon Lowry-DB (5’10” 190 lbs., Soph.) 48 (26 solo)

OVERVIEW-Barrett, Crocker, and Lowry, return to a defense, that, at glance, is not very good, surrendering close to 500 yards and 50 points per game last season. Young and undersized, the Clan coaching staff are surely putting in to work to try and plug the holes.

Kicking-

David Eisenkraft (5’11” 160 lbs., Fr.) 1-7, Long 29, 2 blocked

Punting-

Kees Metselaar (6’3″ 235 lbs., Soph.) 80-38.9 yds., Long 63, 5 blocked

Punt Returns-

Ethan Beselt- 7-28, Long 11

Gavin Cobb- 3-23 Long 17

Kick Returns-

Riley Morrison- (5’8″ 165 lbs., Fr.) 21-18.19 yds., Long 28

Solomon Hines- 20-17.0 yds., Long 28

Aidan Pearce- (6’1″ 180 lbs., Soph.) 15-15.4 yds., Long 22

OVERVIEW-The Lions have a real advantage here. The Clan appear to have a problem protecting their punter and kicker, and the Lions have proved this past season that they have been able to take advantage of situations like this. The Fraser return game, while not particularly explosive, shows some ability.

THE VERDICT-The Lions should dominate this game. In addition to the aforementioned problems with experience, size, and speed, the weather will definitely play a factor. When the Clan leave the cooler weather of British Columbia (avg. 77 degrees), they will arrive in Commerce for a 6pm kickoff that most certainly will be well into the nineties.

See You at The Hawk. Hopefully soon.