ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State football celebrated Senior Day during pregame festivities, but it was junior running back
Ja'Quan Gardner that stole the show. The Lumberjacks defeated non-conference Western State Colorado, 28-14, Saturday evening in a rain drenched Redwood Bowl.
The Lumberjacks improved to 6-4 overall and clinched the program's third consecutive winning season.
HSU struck first with a 1-yard touchdown run by Gardner with 6:54 remaining in the first quarter. The Ceres, Calif., native and 2015 Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up compiled 100 rushing yards and a touchdown in the first 15 minutes of action.
Quarterback
Robert Webber connected with receiver
Richard Doctor on a 20-yard touchdown strike to increase the Green and Gold advantage to 14-0. The Jacks maintained the 14-point lead at the break.
The Mountaineers (6-4) struggled mightily in the first half. Five Western State drives ended with punts, and the visitors converted just 1-of-6 third down opportunities.
Western State's fortunes changed when quarterback Brett Arrivey threw a pair of third quarter touchdown passes, both to receiver, Kyle Adkins, to even the score at 14-14.
Gardner rushed for 103 yards on nine carries in the third quarter. His total included a 41-yard touchdown run with 1:03 remaining to give the Jacks back the lead, 21-14.
A pair of fourth quarter interceptions from Arrivey and an
Isaiah Hall touchdown put the game away in HSU's favor.
Gardner finished the game with a single-game program record 313 rushing yards on 43 carries. He also broke the Great Northwest Athletic Conference single-game, all-purpose yards record with 375 yards. The previous mark, 340 yards, was held by current NFL running back Terrell Watson.
The game was billed as a showdown between two of the nation's top running backs, but Western State's Austin Ekeler, the nation's leading rusher entering the game, was limited to seven carries for just 28 yards. He left the game due to injury in the first quarter.
Ryan McKenzie and
Ju'Wan Murphy each finished with an interception in the win.
Curtis Williams picked up where he left off, he had two sacks last week, with 1.5 sacks five tackles and two fumble recoveries.
HSU's defense limited Western State to 243 yards of total offense and 48 rushing yards.
The Jacks conclude the 2016 season with a visit to Ellensburg, Wash., to face rival Central Washington Saturday, Nov. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
