ARCATA, Calif. -- Head Coach Rob Smith called it a complete team effort that led the Humboldt State football team past Great Northwest Athletic Conference rival Central Washington, 38-20, Saturday evening at the Redwood Bowl.
 
"This was our best performance and a great team win," said Smith. "Our defense played exceptionally well and we can't overlook our offense. We ran the football and had some big scores in the second half."
 
HSU's victory came more than two weeks after its last game, a loss to conference leader Azusa Pacific. The Lumberjacks (6-1, 2-1 GNAC) rebounded against a competitive Wildcat team that topped Western Oregon last week during its Homecoming game.
 
On the second play of the game, freshman quarterback Robert Webber threw an interception, which the Wildcats converted into an early 7-0 advantage.
 
It took 11:31 for the Jacks to answer the Wildcats' opening touchdown. Webber completed a three-yard swing pass to senior Nick Ricciardulli, which capped a 13-play, 83-yard drive with a touchdown.
 
The HSU defense flexed its muscle minutes into the second quarter and gave the team a 14-7 lead. Senior defensive back Nick Sharpe snatched an off-the-mark pass from Wildcat signal caller Jake Nelson and returned it 51-yards for a Green and Gold score. Nelson, the GNAC's top passer entering Saturday's game, threw two interceptions and was held under 100 yards passing for the first time in 2014.
 
Senior Matt Bruder split the uprights less than two minutes later, which gave the Jacks a 17-7 lead and also moved him one step closer to breaking another program record. His 25-yard field goal was his 31^st field goal and he is now one shy of career leader Kevin Jordan (1984-87).
 
Central Washington responded to the HSU score on the next drive. Running back Jordan Todd rumbled for a two-yard touchdown on a drive that featured the Wildcats' only third down conversion of the half. Todd finished with 82 rushing yards on 15 carries and had a pair of touchdown runs.
 
HSU took a 17-13 lead into the break, the extra point attempt following Todd's first touchdown run was blocked.
 
Nelson and the Wildcat offense received the ball to open the second half, but the Jacks secondary shut down their potent passing attack.
 
The Jacks' defense caused its third turnover of the game with under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. Senior defensive lineman Alex Markarian scooped up a Wildcat fumble and set up the HSU offense in the red zone.
 
Webber dialed up sophomore wide receiver Chase Krivashei for his first of two touchdowns, a 15-yard strike that helped the Jacks pull away from the competition. The former-Corona Centennial High School teammates hooked up for another touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Krivashei led all receivers with 82 yards on four catches.
 
Despite the slow start, Webber put together another impressive performance Saturday evening. He completed 12-of-27 pass attempts for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
 
HSU's running game was on display in the fourth quarter, especially after Webber's final touchdown pass. Ricciardulli and freshmen Richard Doctor and Mark Parsons carried the load for the Jacks as they wrapped up the win. Doctor also added to his impressive resume with a touchdown late in the game, his fifth of the season. Ricciardulli led all rushers with 178 yards and averaged 6.6 yards per rush on 27 carries.
 
The defensive line provided the pressure in the win, but it was the secondary that tamed the Wildcats. Senior defensive back Marcus Graves led the Jacks with five pass breakups and the Green and Gold finished with 12 total. Senior Gianni Olivas and Sharpe collected interceptions and senior Jeremiah Maluia compiled a team-high 6.5 tackles.
 
"The second half of the season started tonight," said Smith. "We have to continue to do what we have to do. It doesn't get any easier. Our kids are playing with a lot of confidence and we are playing great football."
 
The Jacks travel to Canada next weekend to face Simon Fraser. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.