AZUSA, Calif. -- Despite a 14-0 lead to open Thursday evening's rematch, the Humboldt State football team was unable to stop a ferocious Azusa Pacific rally as the Cougars rolled to a 55-21 victory.
 
"We weren't able to execute the way we had the past five weeks," said Head Coach Rob Smith. "We need to understand why we were successful before and not successful tonight. We weren't at our best, and to beat a team like Azusa Pacific, you have to be at your best."
 
The Lumberjacks (5-1, 1-1 GNAC), who entered the game ranked 24^th in the nation, yielded 24 unanswered points to end the first half and the Cougars (5-1, 2-0 GNAC) closed out the game from there.
 
Freshman signal caller Andrew Elffers scored the Cougars' first rushing touchdown, but it was the nation's top rusher, Terrell Watson, who put the game away.
 
Azusa Pacific used Watson sparingly in the first quarter of action, but he found his footing and became the nation's first 1,000-yard rusher in Thursday's win. Watson was held to a season-low 51 yards in the first meeting of the two teams and the Jacks were unable to contain him a second time. He carried the football 28 times for 208 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Everything seemed to be going in the Jacks' favor to open the game, a rematch between the two teams. HSU won, 30-10, in week two. Sophomore Chase Krivashei gave the Jacks a 7-0 advantage with a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown with 12:46 on the first quarter clock. HSU received the ball after a poor Azusa Pacific opening drive, which was highlighted by an intentional grounding penalty on running back Terrell Watson.
 
HSU added to its lead on its second offensive drive. Quarterback Robert Webber completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cass White on a third-and-long play. An extra point by Matt Bruder gave HSU a 14-0 lead with 5:09 left in the first quarter.
 
Webber completed 17-of-38 passes for 267 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions versus the Cougars. He added a touchdown pass late in the third quarter to Kelechi Nwadibia, a 65-yard touchdown strike.
 
The Jacks' offense spun its wheels for the remainder of the first half and struggled with fumbles and penalties. One major HSU weakness Thursday night was the loss of freshman sensation, running back Ja'Quan Gardner. Gardner, the Jacks' leading rusher, was unable to play.
 
The loss of Gardner stalled the Jacks' rushing attack, which featured senior Nick Ricciardulli and freshman Richard Doctor. Ricciardulli finished with 82 yards on 15 carries.
 
Senior Travis Hansen was the Jacks' defensive leader. He finished with 11 total tackles and a forced fumble.
 
The Cougars compiled 537 yards of total offense and 347 rushing yards Thursday.
 
HSU has a two-week break and returns to action at the Redwood Bowl on Oct. 25 against conference rival Central Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
"We are looking forward to the bye week," said Smith. "Our kids deserve it and it gives us an opportunity to get some of our players back on the field in two weeks."