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ARCATA, Calif. – With one game left in the regular season and a share of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference title on the line, the Humboldt State football program aims to make a statement in Saturday's ESPN3 showdown with undefeated Central Washington. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
 
Saturday's game will be a Tribute to the Troops promotion and all veterans will receive free admission. Fans are encouraged to wear black and Black Out Redwood Bowl and support the 24 members of HSU's senior class who will be recognized during pregame ceremonies.
 
Undefeated Central Washington has clinched at least a share of the GNAC crown heading into the meeting, but that doesn't mean HSU isn't focused on capturing a share of that title.
 
"This is everything you look for in a college football game," said HSU Head Coach Rob Smith. "We are excited to match up with them on Saturday. We were disappointed with the game we played earlier this season in Ellensburg. We got beat by what was on that day a better football team. That result has no bearing on this Saturday – it will be two teams with everything to play for. We are playing for a piece of the GNAC Championship, and we still have a shot at the playoffs as things happen around the region on Saturday."
 
Twenty-four outstanding seniors will be recognized before kickoff and that group includes future Hall of Famers Alex Cappa, Ja'Quan Gardner, Chase Krivashei and Robert Webber. Gardner, Krivashei and Webber have rewritten the record book during their careers and fans will have an opportunity to celebrate the talented trio Saturday.
 
Webber earned GNAC co-Offensive Player of the Week honors Monday after three touchdowns and over 300 yards versus Western State Colorado. The senior from Corona, Calif., leads the nation in passing efficiency (194.4) and yards per pass attempt (11.09). He became the program's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes and pass completions during his four-year career.
 
A week removed from becoming the program's all-time leader in receptions, Krivashei broke another HSU record as he moved to No.1 in touchdown catches against Western State Colorado. The Corona, Calif., product caught six balls for a season-high 133 yards and two touchdowns versus the Mountaineers.
 
The Jacks' aerial attack has outshined the consistency of the run game led by Gardner over the last two games. The senior from Ceres, Calif., has averaged 3.1 yards per carry against Simon Fraser and Western State Colorado, but Gardner has always saved his best for the North Coast faithful. He is the program's all-time leader in rushing yards, points scored and touchdowns scored, and Gardner has broken almost every GNAC rushing record. The Jacks' top rusher has dominated in the friendly confines of Redwood Bowl this season with more than 100 rushing yards in each game.
 
Central Washington hopes to repeat its success against the HSU offense. The Wildcats boast the GNAC's top defense, allowing just 14.9 points per game. Kevin Haynes and Bo Banner anchor the Wildcats' linebacking corps and defensive line, respectively. Haynes ranks second in the conference with 75 tackles, while Banner leads the way with 8.5 sacks. HSU was held to just one offensive touchdown in the Oct. 7 loss in Ellensburg.
 
The Wildcats lead the all-time series 22-11-1, and they have won three consecutive meetings.