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ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State football aims for its first home win of 2016 when it hosts rival Central Washington Saturday evening in Redwood Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
The North Coast team returns to its home turf after a long road trip to Chadron, Neb. HSU defeated Chadron State 31-27 despite playing without several key players at a number of positions. Running back Blair Zerr was responsible for three touchdowns, and the defense showed marked improvement against a veteran team.
 
"I thought it was a very gutty win for our football team," said head coach Rob Smith. "When you list off the players that we played without, it was a different football team than week one when we played Carson Newman. I'm proud of our team, that was a difficult trip for us, but our kids found a way. We're down some very key players, but every Saturday is a new opponent, a new challenge, and we have to find a way to make the outcome in our favor."
 
Central Washington has won back-to-back games, including a 55-6 road victory over Simon Fraser last week. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 21-10-1, but have lost the last two meetings.
 
"This is coach Shoemaker's third year there, and I know he's got a new defensive coordinator," said Smith. "They played Portland State toe-to-toe in the opener and led during the fourth quarter, and they also led Azusa Pacific with 5-6 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Those are their two losses, so they've played extremely well week in and week out. We will have to certainly be at our best, and we will have our hands full come Saturday."