BURNABY, B.C. – No. 25 Humboldt State jumped out to a 35-0 lead and never looked back as it defeated Simon Fraser 56-24 Saturday in Swangard Stadium.
 
"Give credit to our players for not looking at records or anything else," said HSU head coach Rob Smith. "They dealt with the long trip, and we established ourselves from the get go."
 
The Lumberjacks improved to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. Simon Fraser suffered its third loss of the season and its 16^th consecutive loss.
 
HSU's all-time leading rusher Ja'Quan Gardner sparked the team's lopsided victory. He took a handoff on the first offensive play for the Jacks and ran 87 yards for the first touchdown of the game. The junior added three more rushing scores, and he finished the game as the program's all-time leading scorer with 258 career points.
 
"There was no better way to establish ourselves than going 87 yards," said Smith. "We tried to limit him, but he still went over 200 yards and had four touchdowns. Give credit to the offensive line and Ja'Quan."
 
Four of the Green and Gold's five first half scores came on the ground. Senior Blair Zerr contributed a 27-yard rushing touchdown with 1:44 to play in the first quarter.
 
A 27-yard touchdown pass to Richard Doctor, who saw extended time at receiver Saturday, gave the North Coast squad a 35-3 lead at halftime. Doctor was the Jacks' leading receiver in the win and finished with four catches for 32 yards and two touchdowns.
 
The third quarter was highlighted by Doctor's second touchdown reception and a 58-yard touchdown run for Gardner.
 
Simon Fraser continued to battle despite the deficit, and the Clan was led by running back Jalen Jana. Jana carried the ball 29 times for a career-best 262 yards and a touchdown. He broke a 52-yard touchdown run with 7:14 left to play for the Clan's final score of the evening.
 
Fifty-three of HSU's 54-man roster saw action in the win. Backup quarterbacks Adam Wood and AJ Josue were featured under center in the second half. Josue scored his first touchdown for the Green and Gold in the game's final two minutes.
 
Robert Webber overcame some aggressive contact from the Clan and was 14-of-19 passing for 168 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
 
"Robert is taking some unnecessary hits, and he did that last week," said Smith. "He is important to what we do, and he has to be there for us. The injuries won't keep him out."
 
The HSU defense came up with three takeaways and applied pressure throughout the game. Freshman Sefa Tauanu'u had a season-high two sacks and forced a fumble, while fellow underclassmen Davaeon Johnson and Nick Julier grabbed interceptions.
 
Special teams saw marked improvement in the win. Mitchell Francis blocked a punt late in the first quarter, and Cameron Southward and Alex Elterman shined in the kicking game.
 
HSU returns home to face Western Oregon Saturday, Sept. 24 in Redwood Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.