ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State Head Coach Rob Smith said his nationally-ranked No. 10 Lumberjacks passed a test on Saturday as they defeated the two-time defending conference champs in front of over 8,000 Green and Gold faithful. If that game was a test, then their road game against the No. 11 Midwestern State Mustangs will be a final exam.
 
"This is a big game for our program and an opportunity for our players to match up against a great program," said Smith. "It will be a game with playoff implications. This is the best team we have played this season."
 
Heading into weekend as one of the nation's 13 remaining undefeated programs, the Lumberjacks (5-0) aim to improve their playoff resume with a victory over fellow unbeaten Mustangs (6-0). Saturday's non-conference matchup is the first meeting between the two teams in program history.
 
HSU leaves the North Coast for the Lone Star State Thursday, but Smith doesn't believe the long trip will factor into his team's ability to produce on game day.
 
"Our team knows how to travel," said Smith. "We will take what others consider a negative to a positive. We are a team that travels well and has great camaraderie."
 
The Jacks still boast the nation's top scoring offense and average 50 points per game. Sophomore running back Ja'Quan Gardner leads the nation's fifth-best rushing attack (308.2 yards per game). Gardner added to his quickly growing trophy case Monday as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tabbed him as its Offensive Player of the Week for the fourth time in 2015. The Ceres, Calif., native shattered the program single-game rushing record with 305 yards against Azusa Pacific to go with his four total touchdowns (three rushing and one passing).
 
"We have a talented group of running backs and Ja'Quan is very special," said Smith.
 
A next man up mentality has been present with the Jacks all season long and they will need reserves to step up again this weekend. Drew Dubois, the GNAC sack leader, and Daniel Castro will both miss Saturday's game, but Smith expects them to be available for Central Washington on Oct. 24.
 
Midwestern State is 3-0 at home this season and boasts one of the nation's top scoring defenses. The Mustangs have surrendered 20 or fewer points in back-to-back games, including an upset win over then-No. 6 Angelo State.
 
"When you watch tape there are a lot of things that stand out about Midwestern State," said Smith. "The Mustangs are tremendously talented and have great team speed. They run the ball and their quarterback can run and throw. This is also likely the most talented secondary we will see this season."
On the defensive side, the Mustangs are led by defensive end Harold Wills, linebacker Dan Laudermilk and defensive back Marqui Christian. Wills leads the Mustangs with 5.5 tackles for loss and has two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles this season. Laudermilk anchors the Midwestern State linebackers and ranks second on the squad with 44 total tackles. An all-region and two-time all-Lone Star Conference selection, Christian leads the Mustangs with 55 tackles and has forced a pair of fumbles.
 
Running back Vincent Johnson is Midwestern State's top rusher with 467 yard and five touchdowns. Johnson ran for 190 yards on 17 carries in last week's win against West Texas A&M. His 7.3 yards per carry ranks 14th in the nation.