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ARCATA, Calif. – After a 16-day break in action, the Humboldt State football team returns to the field Saturday as it hosts Great Northwest Athletic Conference foe Central Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
The Jacks (5-1, 1-1 GNAC) has had almost two weeks to prepare for the Wildcats (4-3, 3-1 GNAC) after a 55-21 road loss to Azusa Pacific sent them into the bye week.



READY TO REBOUND

The Jacks have had more than two full weeks to forget about Thursday, Oct. 9's loss, 55-21, to Azusa Pacific and focus on their upcoming conference game against the Wildcats. HSU's break also gave the Green and Gold time to heal lingering injuries that kept stars like Jeremiah Maluia and Ja'Quan Gardner out of the starting lineup.

JACKS LEAD GNAC IN DEFENSE

HSU still sits atop the conference rankings in many defensive categories and has proven its defense can shut down any GNAC opponent. The Jacks lead the conference in total defense and have yielded an average of 291.5 yards of total offense per game this season. HSU has held opponents under 100 yards rushing in four of six games, and is the top defense against the run in the GNAC (116 ypg). In week four, the Green and Gold punished Western Oregon's offense and held it to -22 rushing yards. HSU also leads the GNAC in passing efficiency defense (95.53), scoring defense (16.3), first downs defense (88), fourth down conversion defense (.250) and third down conversion defense (.231). 

The Jacks are also the top team in the GNAC with an average of 4.33 team sacks per game. Alex Markarian and Silas Sarvinski pace the HSU defense with 7.5 and 5.5 sacks, respectively. The pair of seniors rank second and third in the conference in sacks.

HSU'S DEFENSE IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION

The Lumberjack defense continues to receive national recognition for its efforts. The Jacks are No. 1 in third down conversion defense, eighth in fourth down conversion defense, fourth in first downs defense, 20th in scoring defense, 13th in passing efficiency defense and second in team sacks. HSU is .10 behind Missouri S&T for the No. 1 ranking in team sacks averaged per game.

GREEN AND GOLD STRONG IN ALL THREE PHASES

Not only do the Lumberjacks boast one of the nation's top defenses, but the Green and Gold also dominate on offense and special teams. HSU's electrifying return game has caught the attention of national pollsters and GNAC coaches. The Jacks are 12th in the nation in kickoff returns and sixth in the country in punt returns. HSU also leads the GNAC in punt return defense (6.35). 

HSU's offense also features some game-breaking talent. Freshman quarterback Robert Webber has flown under the radar this season, but has so far put together an impressive season. He leads the conference with 12.97 passing yards per completion and ranks 44th in the nation in that category. The Corona, Calif., native ranks third in the GNAC in passing efficiency (138.1) and fourth in passing touchdowns (nine). 

The running game continues to provide the spark for the Lumberjack offense. HSU's rushing attack features three running backs, but is lead by senior Nick Ricciardulli and talented freshman Ja'Quan Gardner. The pair rank second and fourth in the conference, respectively. Ricciardulli has accumulated 524 rushing yards this season and has scored five rushing touchdowns. Gardner leads the Jacks with seven rushing scores and freshman Richard Doctor has added four. Doctor cashed in on three rushing touchdowns in the landslide victory against South Dakota Mines. His three rushing scores tie him for the single-game high with Ricciardulli, who also punched in three rushing touchdowns versus Mines. 

LET'S GET IT STARTED

The Lumberjack offense has wasted no time and has struck first in every game in 2014. In the first half of games this season, HSU has outscored opponents 138-40. 

JACKS EARN VOTES IN TOP 25 COACHES POLL

HSU slipped out of the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 poll with its week six loss to Azusa Pacific, but the Green and Gold are still receiving votes. The Jacks picked up 11 votes this week, despite their bye week.

WILDCATS HOLD SERIES ADVANTAGE

Central Washington leads the all-time series with HSU, 21-8. Head Coach Rob Smith's Lumberjacks are 4-8 against the Wildcats, but are 3-3 over the last three seasons. HSU lost both meetings with Central Washington last season by a combined 15 points.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON'S COACH NEW TO THE SERIES

The Wildcats hired Ian Shoemaker as their new head football coach in December. Shoemaker replaced interim Head Coach John Picha, who led Central Washington to a 7-3 overall record in 2013. Prior to taking the Wildcats' job, Shoemaker served as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Saint Cloud State.

NELSON LEADS WILDCAT AIR ATTACK

Sophomore signal caller Jake Nelson guides one of the GNAC's most potent passing attacks. He leads the conference with 1,926 passing yards and 275.1 passing yards per game. Nelson leads the Wildcats with 15 passing touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The Lake Stevens, Wash., native completed 29-of-48 passes for 264 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the Wildcats' 24-20 Homecoming win over visiting Western Oregon.

LOGAN A VERTICAL THREAT FOR CWU

Senior wideout Greg Logan is tied for the GNAC lead with 6.6 receptions per game and will present a challenge for HSU's secondary. At 5-10, Logan is not a tall target for Nelson, but leads the Wildcats with 655 receiving yards. Logan had five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's win over the Wolves. 

WILDCAT DEFENSE BRINGS THE PRESSURE

Central Washington's defense provides constant pressure to opposing offenses, and in recent weeks, it has continued to improve. The Wildcats are fourth in the nation in team sacks and are led by junior defensive lineman Tovar Sanchez. Sanchez is Central Washington's sack leader with 9.5 and also is first in the GNAC with 1.36 sacks a game. The Seattle, Wash., native has compiled a team-high 16 tackles for loss and has racked up 7.5 tackles for loss in the last two games. 

'CATS CAPITALIZE ON TAKEAWAYS

The Wildcats have amassed 17 takeaways this season, good for the top spot in the conference rankings. Fourteen of the 17 turnovers gained have been interceptions. DeAndre Baines and Kevin Haynes lead Cental Washington with three interceptions apiece.