ELLENSBURG, Wash. – For just the second time since the 1997 season, No. 16 Humboldt State football found a way to win in Ellensburg. The nationally-ranked Lumberjacks defeated the Central Washington Wildcats 42-17 Saturday afternoon.
HSU improves to 6-1 overall and 4-0 versus Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponents. Saturday's win sets up an opportunity for the Green and Gold to clinch its first conference title since the 2011 season next week in Redwood Bowl with a win against Simon Fraser.
"Our kids are playing with great confidence, and this was a big win for the Lumberjacks," said Smith. "All of our goals are still in front of us and they start with winning a conference championship. In order to reach our goals we knew we had to go through Ellensburg."
The Jacks wasted no time demonstrating they had already shrugged off last week's non-conference loss.
Nick Sharpe snagged an ill-timed pass from Wildcat quarterback Justin Lane on Central Washington's first play from scrimmage. Sharpe's pick set up a
Robert Webber touchdown pass on a fly sweep to
Sage Burmeister that wrapped a five-play, 47-yard scoring drive.
Kicker Sean McDonald answered the HSU score eight minutes later when he connected on a 23-yard field goal attempt, which put Central Washington on the board, 7-3.
Despite the Wildcats' efforts to slow the Jacks' run game, sophomore running back
Ja'Quan Gardner was able to ramble past opposing defenders with the help of HSU's outstanding offensive line. The Ceres, Calif., native scored the next two Green and Gold touchdowns from 5 and 2 yards out, respectively.
Trailing 21-3 with 4:21 remaining in the half, Lane connected with one of the GNAC's most dynamic playmakers, receiver Jesse Zalk, on a 61-yard pitch-and-catch touchdown. Zalk's touchdown reception trimmed the HSU lead to 11, 21-10.
As the clock closed in on halftime, Webber guided the HSU offense 66 yards to its fourth score. The Corona Centennial High School product carried the ball into the end zone from the 9-yard line for his second rushing touchdown of the season.
Neither team was able to find offensive success at the start of the second half. On their second drive of the third quarter, Lane tossed the Wildcats second interception. HSU defensive back
Chris Hannible intercepted the pass and raced down the sideline, dodging Central Washington offensive players as he ran into the end zone for a 76-yard pick six.
Following another stalled Wildcat drive, Webber orchestrated another scoring drive for HSU. He connected on a pair of big plays to receiver
Chase Krivashei, which included a 30-yard touchdown pass that gave the Green and Gold a 42-10 advantage with 12:33 to play.
Central Washington scored the last points of the game on the following drive. Lane completed a touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Self.
HSU's defense flexed its muscle and sacked the Central Washington signal caller seven times.
Dillon Huffman and
Ahmad Logan each had 2.5 sacks in the win.
Eric Paopao led the Green and Gold with seven total tackles (four solo).
Gardner was able to save some tread on the tires and finished the game with 28 carries for 136 yards.
Richard Doctor (39 yards),
Jabar Byrd (38 yards) and
Blair Zerr (5 yards) chipped in valuable production on the ground.
Krivashei was HSU's top receiver and caught eight balls for 90 yards.
The Jacks return to action on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Redwood Bowl. HSU hosts Simon Fraser in one of its final two conference games. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Senior Day festivities and recognition will begin prior to kickoff.
"Don't miss Lumberjack football in Redwood Bowl on Halloween," said Smith. "Our team feeds off the energy of our home crowd. Hopefully we can fill Redwood Bowl next week."
