ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Nationally-ranked Humboldt State continues to make history as the Jacks beat Central Washington 30-20 for the second time this year. On the Wildcats' home turf. At their homecoming.

The win marks the first time since 1997 the Jacks have beaten the Wildcats at their home field, improving HSU to 6-0 overall, 4-0 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The loss breaks a 21-game winning streak in GNAC play Central Washington has retained at home since the start of the league in 2001. CWU now stands at 2-4 on the season, 2-3 in GNAC action.

"It doesn't get any better than this," said head coach Rob Smith. "There's such a respect for Central Washington. They're a great opponent and take pride at home, but this Lumberjack team is overcoming great things this year."

It was the Humboldt State defense that held Central Washington to under 100 rushing yards, snatching two interceptions, forcing two fumbles, and posting two sacks on the night. Jona Faraimo, Kevin Cooper and Guy Riccardulli led the Lumberjack defense with eight tackles each.

Central Washington started strong, getting a 7-0 lead when Ryan Robertson connected with Anthony Spain for a 6-yard touchdown pass with 6:14 left on the clock in the first quarter.

The Jacks responded with a touchdown of their own with just over two minutes left in the quarter. Mike Proulx connected with Victor Spencer for 25 yards to put HSU in red zone territory, allowing Proulx to run the ball three yards to tie the game at 7-7. 

Off a 10-play, 86-yard drive, Levi Taylor ran in a yard to put the Wildcats back in the lead at 14-7 with 4:48 left in the half. 

HSU wasn't going to roll over heading into the half and Dirk Dallas made sure of it. Proulx completed a pass to Dallas for 53 yards to put the Jacks within a point. Brian Blumberg's point after touchdown kick was blocked to keep the score at 14-13.

Central Washington thought it'd be able to run out the clock, but Humboldt State had other plans. The Jacks made their way back into scoring position to give Blumberg another chance at putting the ball through the uprights. Blumberg completed the 47-yard field goal attempt—his longest of the season—to give the Jacks a two-point lead heading into halftime.

"What a huge field goal by Brian," said Smith. "Going in with the lead at the half was a huge momentum builder for us."

Lyndon Rowells came out of the half ready to carry the momentum for HSU and tacked another six points on the scoreboard in the third quarter off a 67-yard touchdown run, adding to the Jacks' total rushing yards on the night (231 yards). Rowells added another touchdown with 11:21 left in the fourth quarter by running in a yard to put the score at 30-14 in favor of the Jacks.

"We've had three games in a row where our running game has really accelerated," said Smith. "This is huge for our program."

Central Washington continued to press HSU, but the Lumberjack defense was not willing to bend. Casey Sarvinski picked off Robertson's red zone pass with 8:57 left in the game to prevent the Wildcats from getting a touchdown.

With just over two minutes left in the game, CWU found the touchdown they were hoping for when backup quarterback Jose Mohler found Justin Helwege to drop the Jacks' lead to 10 points. The Wildcats went for the two-point conversion, but Cooper picked off the pass to keep the final score at 30-20.

"We've done what we've needed to do," said Smith. "The conference championship is yet to be decided against Western Oregon, and we play each other twice in the last four games of conference. Come Monday, it's time to refocus and get ready for Western Oregon."