Monday, October 1, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Central Washington got outstanding efforts in all phases of its game – from its offense, from its defense and from its special teams – Saturday in defeating previously nationally ninth ranked Humboldt State 31-3 before a crowd of 3,470 at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell. 

That not only kept CWU unbeaten in GNAC play but also earned the Wildcats this week’s GNAC Team of the Week award.

Running back Demetrius Sumler rushed for 152 yards including second-half touchdowns of 68 and nine yards and quarterback Ryan Robertson completed 21 of 31 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

Among the CWU standouts on defense were linebacker Stan Langlow, free safety Cory Burk and cornerbacks Isaiah Davis and Cedrique Chaney.  Davis also made a significant contribution on the special teams as well.

Humboldt State came into the game ranked ninth nationally in scoring averaging 42 ½ points per game, but was held without a touchdown for the first time during Rob Smith’s five-year tenure as head coach.

“(Defensive coordinator) Malik Roberson and his staff did a nice job of putting together a game plan and our players did an outstanding job of executing the plan,” CWU head coach Blaine Bennett said.

Langlow led the Wildcats with 12 tackles, including nine solos, while Davis had 10 tackles and also had three breakups including two in the end zone.  He also had 98 return yards, including 42 yards on five punt returns and 56 on two kickoffs. 

Davis’ 40-yard return on the game’s opening kickoff set up a 56-yard, 11-play touchdown drive, giving the Wildcats a lead they never relinquished. His overall effort earned Davis the GNAC Red Lion Defensive Player of the Week award.

Burk, meanwhile, had seven solo tackles, while Chaney had six tackles and forced a fumble.  

“Cedrique Chaney had some pass breakups and Cory Burk came up with some big hits,” Bennett said.  “Our defensive line also did a good job of putting pressure on their quarterback.”

It all added up to a 31-3 victory for the Wildcats (4-0, 4-1) who moved a game ahead of the Lumberjacks (4-1, 3-1) in the conference standings near the midway point of the season.

The loss also dropped Humboldt State from ninth to 24th in this week’s American Football Coaches Association poll.  CWU is “among others receiving votes” in the poll, but did move up from 32nd to 29th in the overall rankings.

Simon Fraser Receiver Ranks Third in Catches

Simon Fraser wide receiver Lemar Durant ranks third in receptions in this week's NCAA Division II national statistical report.  Durant has a total of 48 receptions.

Durant also ranks sixth in receiving yards, averaging 118.4 per contest.

Also in the Top 10 in this week's report is Humboldt State running back Nick Ricciardulli, who has had five consecutive 100-yard games, two shy of the GNAC record.  Ricciardulli ranks sixth nationally in rushing (146.8) and 19th in all-purpose yards (162.2).

Western Oregon punter Alexander Bradt ranks eighth in punting average with a 44.1 average.  Bradt earned GNAC Red Lion Special Team Player of the Week honors for the second time this season after averaging 42.8 yards on eight punts Saturday in Western Oregon's 20-7 win at Azusa Pacific.

In team categories, Humboldt State remains the highest ranked GNAC team in any category.  The Lumberjacks are 10th in turnover margin (1.40) and 12th in pass efficiency defense(95.2). 

Also in the Top 20 are Central Washington (14th in kickoff returns, 25.8) and Simon Fraser (14th in punt returns, 18.3).