GLENDORA, Calif. – Humboldt State football captured a 62-41 non-conference victory over defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Azusa Pacific Saturday in Citrus Stadium.
The Lumberjacks improved their overall record to 2-0 and become the only undefeated GNAC football team. Azusa Pacific fell to 1-1 after opening the season with a win over West Texas A&M.
"This was a big win," said Head Coach
Rob Smith. "Any time you are fortunate enough to defeat a defending champion it means you are playing very well. We came out and jumped on them and played a flawless first half of football. This was a good, solid win for us."
HSU broke out of the offensive funk that limited the unit during its season-opening win against Western Oregon. The Green and Gold scored the first 21 points Saturday versus the Cougars and finished with 60-plus points for the first time since last season's 71-13 throttling of Dixie State.
"We practiced hard and practiced better this week," said Smith. "Kids made plays in the game. The offensive line was blocking well for Ja'Quan and Richard, and we got loose in their coverage too."
Quarterback
Robert Webber tossed a pair of first-quarter touchdowns to receivers
Chase Krivashei and
Sage Burmeister to put HSU ahead 14-0. Running back
Ja'Quan Gardner picked up where he left off last week and ran for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter. He torched the Cougar defense with long-distance scoring runs of 22 and 51 yards before halftime.
The GNAC's reigning Offensive Player of the Week steamrolled the Azusa Pacific defense throughout Saturday's route. Gardner carried the ball 25 times for a career-high 225 yards and three touchdowns. He added a final touchdown carry in the third quarter.
"He is so compact and has a low-to-the-ground running style that fits him perfectly," said Smith. "He has a big heart and is tremendously talented. We saw his potential last year, and he has had two great performances to start this season."
Gardner was not the only HSU ball carrier to find success Saturday.
Richard Doctor tallied 23 carries for 62 yards and one touchdown. The Jacks racked up 313 yards on the ground.
The Green and Gold's aerial attack continued late into the game. Webber added touchdown strikes to Burmeister and Krivashei in the fourth quarter. The Lumberjack signal caller was efficient and connected on 13-of-16 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns. The Corona, Calif., and Corona Centennial product matched his five-touchdown output from last season's finale. Webber became the only quarterback in program history to have five passing touchdowns in a single game on two separate occasions.
Despite yielding 400 yards of total offense the HSU defense wreaked havoc on Cougars quarterback Chad Jeffries.
Donte Haddock intercepted Jeffries in the third quarter, and the Green and Gold tallied three sacks.
Drew Dubois led the Jacks with 1.5 sacks, while
Nick Sharpe and
Eric Paopao collected 10 tackles apiece.
HSU returns to Redwood Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 19, for a non-conference meeting with Dixie State. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
"Our team is looking forward to being back in Redwood Bowl. We hope for another big crowd like we had in the opener," said Smith. "The Dixie State team that comes to play us is much improved and will come in with momentum after its win over Central Washington."
