ARCATA — This week's roadtrip sends the Jacks up against a highly-talented, highly-motivated Central Washington squad that the Jacks defeated in Arcata on Oct. 2. That HSU victory snapped Central's conference winning streak at 28 consecutive games.
Since then, the Wildcats have bounced back to win a pair of games, both shutouts, improving to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the league standings. Humboldt State has also won twice, improving to 6-1 in all games and 4-0 in the GNAC. Kickoff at Tomlinson Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
On-the-Air
Every Lumberjack football game is broadcast live over the local airways on KATA, 1340 AM, beginning with the pregame show 20 minutes prior to game time. Bicoastal Media Sports Director J.B. Mathers describes the action and HSU Hall of Fame inductee Burt Nordstrom adds commentary. …Home games' audio and video are also streamed live over the Internet through the hsujacks.com web site. The UStream format allows an interactive chat between listeners during the webcast. The specific URL for access is located at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humboldt-state-athletics.
Live Stats
All Lumberjack football home games can be tracked online by using the Live Stats feature on hsujacks.com. Real time statistics, drive progress and other information are featured on the game viewer. The feature can be found at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/football/.
Coach Rob Smith
Seven weeks into his third year as the Lumberjacks' head coach, Rob Smith's Lumberjacks have posted a 13-15 record through the program's transition. Before coming to HSU, Smith guided the very successful Western Washington University football program for 17 years. During his career as the Vikings' head coach, Smith's teams posted a cumulative record of 109-62-1 for a .640 winning percentage. His wins total and winning percentage will remain the best in school history for the now defunct WWU football program.
Head-to-Head
Humboldt State had lost 16 straight to the Wildcats, dating back to 1997, prior to the Jacks' 25-24 win on Oct. 2. …HSU now trails the all-time series, 16-6-1.
Lumberjack Notes
Monday morning's American Football Coaches Association weekly poll again listed HSU among others receiving votes. In the past three weeks the Jacks have gone from two votes, to 13, to 30. Their current total still leaves HSU out of the Top 25, holding the No, 27 position. … Earning GNAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this year was HSU running back Lyndon ROwells. Rowells achieved his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season, netting 107 yards on 17 carries as the Lumberjacks defeated Dixie State 28-3. It was the 15th 100-yard game of the season in the GNAC, including the sixth by an HSU running back. …HSU claimed Special Teams Player of the Week for the third straight week, each time by a different individual. This week's honor goes to Patrick Gondkoff, who returned two kickoffs 97 yards, including one 83 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. Gondkoff also caught two passes for a net 57 yards. “Kick return is something we've been working on for a long time,” HSU head coach Rob Smith said. “Having Pat honored is a great reward. It's a real compliment to the kids on the kickoff team and to special teams coach (Richard) Sweeney.” …Earning team honors, as selected by the coaches, are center Taylor Boggs on offense, linemen Justin Hornsby and Andrew Iupati, and safety Eddie Umeh on defense, and the entire kickoff return unit, Michael Johnson and Sergio Allen on special teams. Offensive scout player of the week was running back Daniel Aslan. Defensive scout player of the week honors went to lineman Iosefa Stevens. …This week's national statistics rankings list Humboldt State No. 2 among all Division II schools in kickoff return yardage with an average of 28.5 yards per return, behind Grand Valley State's 29.13 average. …HSU's next highest ranking is a tribute to the offensive line and elusive quarterback Mike Proulx. The Jacks are listed No. 6 nationally in sacks allowed. …The Jacks' return specialists have also impacted the punt return rankings, where HSU lists No. 11 in the nation.
Injury Report
Linebacker Jonathan Faraimo suffered a mild ankle sprain and is expected to play. …Offensive lineman Drew Shaw, held out to have his knee tested last week, passed the exam and will be in action Saturday.
Wildcats Notes
Central Washington's defense has clamped down on opponents, shutting out Southern Oregon, 27-0, and Western Oregon, 19-0. The Wildcats gave up only 98 yards of offense last week, and have surrendered only 210 total in the two games. They've been particularly stingy on the ground, allowing only a single yard gained. …Linebacker Adam Bighill, who blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown against HSU the last time the teams met, was named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Western Oregon. Bighill made 12 tackles, including five for lost yardage, and forced a fumble. Against the Jacks on Oct. 2, he also received a pass on a fake punt, taking it the distance for a 60-yard touchdown.
Smith's Assessment
“We face a great challenge this week. Playing in Ellensburg is always difficult. They have a boisterous crowd, and they crowd, and they take pride in defending their home turf. We know we're treading on enemy territory.” … “We've done a good job of taking care of the football and we've played good defense. We have to improve our kicking game over what it was the last time we played Central. We were fortunate to come out on top.” … “There's a lot riding on all games, but this is a game that could potentially determine a league championship. We're in a good position, in first place heading in. We can take a great step forward on Saturday, but we can't lose a championship.”
