ARCATA, Calif. – No. 15 Humboldt State put together a complete effort as the team closed out its regular season home schedule with a 57-0 shutout of Simon Fraser. The senior day victory clinched a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship for the first time since 2011.
"This was a great way to honor our seniors," said Head Coach
Rob Smith. "Today was a total team effort," said Smith. "I am really pleased with our second team offense. That unit did more than just fine. It is one of those days that, when you are the winning side, can be a lot of fun."
With Saturday's win, the Green and Gold improved to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in GNAC action. HSU controls its conference destiny. The Lumberjacks will have an opportunity to capture an outright conference title with a victory next week on the road versus Dixie State.
HSU's 57-point, 631-yard offensive explosion was a balanced effort headlined by sophomores
Ja'Quan Gardner and
Robert Webber. Gardner scored the game's first points after capping a five-play, 50-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run.
With the Green and Gold leading 14-0 following a
Jabar Byrd touchdown run, Gardner went to work through the air. On just his second pass attempt of the season, the Ceres, Calif., native rolled right and fired a 43-yard pass to receiver
Chase Krivashei for the third score. It was Gardner's second touchdown pass of the season.
Just in case the Clan forgot that Gardner was the conference's top running back, he raced 27 yards for a Green and Gold touchdown on the following HSU possession.
Gardner finished the game with 175 rushing yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing). He also had a 32-yard reception and 250 all-purpose yards.
Webber's passing prowess was on display in front of the home crowd. The Corona, Calif., native connected with Krivashei on a 7-yard touchdown strike in the back of the end zone as the first half came to a close.
HSU led 35-0 to start the third quarter, but the offensive and defensive fireworks were far from over. Webber hooked up with running back
Richard Doctor for a touchdown on the quarter's first drive.
Senior quarterback
Casey Mintz took the reigns from Webber two drives later. Mintz seized the opportunity to shine on senior day and 26-yard touchdown pass to
John Todd following a Simon Fraser interception.
Blair Zerr punctuated the win with a 3-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. He accumulated 74 rushing yards on 17 carries.
On the defensive side,
Chris Hannible and
Jeff Shott both snagged interceptions. Hannible's pick was his team-leading fifth of the season. The newcomer from Bakerfield, Calif., has intercepted a pass in four straight games.
Taylor Mitchell was the team's top tackler and had nine total stops.
The Jacks visit St. George, Utah, for their second meeting with the Red Storm on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT.
"Our focus is now on Dixie State. We need to get ready to take care of business and win a conference championship outright. We are playing for an outright conference championship, and we will work this week to be at our best one last time."
