Western’s Comeback Is Complete

Brandon Brennan passed for 182 yards and four touchdowns as Western stayed unbeaten with a 26-21 nonleague victory over Orange at Western.

The Pioneers (4-0) spotted Orange a 15-0 second-quarter lead before Brennan connected with Joshua Christensen on a 26-yard scoring pass for the first of four consecutive touchdowns. That made it 15-6 with 6 minutes 4 seconds left in the first half.

The junior quarterback added scoring passes of 47 yards to Jason Diaz and 14 yards to Christensen as Western took a 19-15 halftime lead.

“This team never gives up,” Brennan said following the game. “We have too many experienced players to quit.”

Western extended its lead to 26-15 midway through the third quarter when a scrambling Brennan found Brian Norris for a 17-yard scoring play.

Orange (2-2) took control early behind running back Jamie Worthem and quarterback Andy Lauridsen.

After a 35-yard Micah Knorr field goal, Worthem scored on a three-yard run and Lauridsen connected with Andy Christensen for a 10-yard scoring pass.

But the Panthers’ offense went cold and did not score again until Justin Monaco’s eight-yard run cut Western’s lead to 26-21 with 3:44 left.

David Diaz ended the Warriors’ comeback chances when he intercepted Monaco at midfield with less than a minute to play.