ARCATA, Calif. – The No. 19-ranked Humboldt State football team got out to an early lead and never looked back as it rolled past non-conference Chadron State, 56-13, Saturday night in Redwood Bowl.
HSU improved to 4-0 overall.
A pair of Jabar Byrd touchdown runs bookended a 42-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Robert Webber to Jamere Austin and gave the Green and Gold a 21-0 advantage midway through the first quarter. HSU's offense was almost unstoppable in the first 15 minutes of action as the Jacks recorded seven of their 22 first downs.
The Eagles got on the board with a Dalton Holst 13-yard touchdown strike to open the second quarter, but the Jacks answered with another volley from its passing attack. Webber capped a 12-play, 74-yard scoring drive with a six-yard toss to Richard Doctor.
The highlight of the first half was another touchdown heave from Webber to John Todd that went 86 yards to paydirt. Todd's touchdown reception gave HSU a 35-13 lead at intermission.
HSU's offense provided the separation in the first half, but it was the defense that put the game away after the break. The Green and Gold defense shut out the Eagles in the final 30 minutes and picked off Chadron State signal callers five times.
Sophomore Davaeon Johnson was responsible for three of HSU's interceptions, and he also found the end zone in one of the game's most electrifying plays. He picked off Holst and took the ball 48 yards for an HSU touchdown less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Johnson's three interceptions tied a Great Northwest Athletic Conference single-game record.
Ja'Quan Gardner rumbled for a one-yard touchdown run and Byrd added another touchdown to seal HSU's victory. Byrd's two rushing scores were a career best, and Gardner finished the game with a team-high 135 yards on 20 carries.
Webber was 15-of-22 passing for 338 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
HSU won't have much time to focus on the win as it travels to face undefeated and nationally-ranked Central Washington next Saturday in Ellensburg, Wash. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
