Saturday, November 21, 2015

ARCATA, Calif. – It's been 55 years since the Lumberjack football program had a home postseason win, and it was worth the wait.  No. 11 Humboldt State defeated No. 24 Augustana 45-31 Saturday in Redwood Bowl.

The Lumberjacks are the first GNAC team to win a playoff game since 2009, the last time a GNAC squad was in the NCAA Division II tournament.
 
Humboldt State improved to 10-1 and will advance to face No. 1 seed Northwest Missouri State on Saturday, Nov. 28.  The Bearcats will play host after earning a first-round bye.

The playoff victory also included multiple GNAC and Humboldt State records. The Lumberjacks set records in total yards (707), total plays (103) and first downs (45). Wide receiver Chase Krivashei set a GNAC record with 18 catches. He had three touchdown grabs and 221 receiving yards.
 
Despite no first-half offensive touchdowns for the Vikings, the score was knotted 17-17 at the half. HSU dominated the second half and scored 14 points in each quarter to capture the first round victory.
 
Augustana scored the game's first points as return man Jason Greenway took the opening kick 99 yards for a touchdown. It was Greenway's third kickoff return for a score this season.
 
The Jacks answered with a full-on aerial attack. Quarterback Robert Webber connected with receiver Krivashei twice in the end zone over the next three offensive possessions.
 
After a Webber interception, the Vikings went back to work on offense. Kicker Lucas Wainman capped a six-play, 33-yard drive with a 19-yard field goal to pull Augustana within four, 14-10, with under 8 minutes remaining in the half.
 
On the following drive, HSU was bogged down in its own end and an errant snap went into the end zone. Nate Winter recovered the ball for an Augustana score and the visitors recaptured the lead, 17-14.
 
The Jacks quickly answered to regain the momentum. Webber orchestrated an eight-play, 65-yard drive that was highlighted by a 31-yard strike to receiver Marquis Deadwiler. Deadwiler finished the game with a season-high nine catches for 166 yards.
 
If the first half was all about the passing game, then the second half was clinic for the HSU rushing attack. During the Jacks second drive of the half, running back and Harlon Hill Trophy nominee Ja'Quan Gardner broke three long runs of 17, 8 and 9 yards. HSU punctuated the drive with a second touchdown pass to Deadwiler from 37 yards out.
 
A Donte Haddock interception set the Green and Gold offense back in business 9 seconds later. Gardner ran for 40 yards on the scoring drive, and Webber hooked up with Krivashei for the third time to put the Jacks ahead 31-17.
 
Heid and the Vikings were far from throwing in the towel. Augustana scored on the next drive as running back CJ Ham rumbled into the end zone from the 1-yard line.
 
Gardner went to work on the subsequent possession. He ran for 48 yards on seven carries, including a 13-yard touchdown scamper. With 12:25 remaining in the game HSU held a 38-24 advantage.
 
Augustana found the end zone eight plays later. Heid fired an 8-yard touchdown pass to CJ Ham to pull the Vikings within one score.
 
Another Gardner touchdown run and a Cameron Buell interception in the closing minutes sealed the victory for HSU.