ARCATA, Calif. – No. 16-ranked Humboldt State football returns to Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Saturday as it visits Ellensburg, Wash., for a meeting with Central Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.
 
The Lumberjacks (5-1, 3-0 GNAC) dive back into their conference slate after suffering their first setback of 2015, a 35-10 loss, on the road versus Midwestern State. Central Washington aims to snap a two-game losing streak Saturday. The Wildcats (3-4, 1-2 GNAC) have lost back-to-back games by six or fewer points, including last week's 31-25 loss to Western Oregon.
 
"We were disappointed," said Head Coach Rob Smith about the team's loss to the nationally-ranked Mustangs. "We expected to win, went there to win and didn't get that done – so it's disappointing. But we are pleased with the effort because our players played hard. We got beat by a good football team."
 
HSU turns its focus to a highly-competitive Central Washington squad that has been on the losing end of its last two games. Despite a pair of conference losses, the Wildcats can leap back into the mix with a homecoming win over the Green and Gold this weekend.
 
A stingy defense, which ranks amongst the conference's best, makes the Wildcats a dangerous opponent. Central Washington is second in the GNAC in total defense and surrenders an average of 376.1 yards per game. The centerpiece to the Wildcat defense is its secondary. Senior defensive back Myles Carelock is a disruptive playmaker that leads the conference with 1.4 passes defended per game. Carelock also has three interceptions this season.
 
On the offensive side, Justin Lane had his best start of the season in last week's Wildcat loss. Lane completed 64.3 percent of his passes, tossed three touchdowns and threw for 300-plus yards for his second consecutive game against Western Oregon. The junior is also a mobile threat that can escape defensive pressure. Lane ran for his first score of the season two weeks ago in Ellensburg.
 
"They have some weapons on offense, and they are always a very physical football team," said Smith. "We will be playing on grass for the first time, and it's 1 p.m. kickoff for the first time. We have to focus on ourselves and make sure that we're physically and mentally ready to play."
 
The Green and Gold will look to make offensive adjustments during practice this week to reignite one of the nation's top scoring units. No adjustment will be necessary for sophomore running back Ja'Quan Gardner. The nation's top rusher had no problem running against No. 10 Midwestern State as he accumulated 189 yards on 35 carries (5.4 average). He broke five runs of 10-plus yards against the Mustangs, including a game-long 44-yard burst.
 
Receivers Marjani Ellison and John Todd impressed late in last week's loss and fans can expect more from the dynamic pair of underclassmen.
 
"John Todd is growing tremendously as a player, and he is going to see the field more frequently now," said Smith. "I think he is one of those guys that a year or two from now is going to be a marquee player for us. Marjani continues to develop as well. It's still a new position for Marjani (who played quarterback in high school), but they are two great kids who work very hard. They are not only a big part of our present, but certainly our future too."
 
Ellison is an imposing target, standing at 6-foot-7, and has one of the team's top vertical jumps. Todd has game-breaking speed and was mentioned as one of the squad's most improved receivers after redshirting his freshman season.
 
The HSU defense will get a boost this week with the projected return of pass rusher Drew Dubois. The Broward County, Fla., native missed the last game but still leads the GNAC and ranks fourth in the country with 1.40 sacks per game.
 
As the Jacks prepare for Saturday, Smith re-emphasized the team's focus on a GNAC championship as the team returns to its conference schedule.
 
"There is a championship at stake and that has been our goal from day one," said Smith. "We're in a good position, and we control everything. We have to go out and continue to play as we have thus far. But we have great respect for Central Washington. They are talented, tough at home, and we'll have our hands full."