Friday, August 31, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. - In the final of our GNAC Football Video Previews profiling the conference's five programs, we feature the Central Washington Wildcats.

Central Washington posted just the second undefeated regular season record in conference history, matching its 8-0 conference mark with an 11-0 regular season record. Solid on both sides of the ball, the Wildcats outscored opponents by an average of 22 points per game and led Division II in rushing defense (44.6 yards allowed per game) and team tackles for loss (10.7 per game). Central Washington led the GNAC in both scoring defense (17.6 points per game) and total defense (259.9 yards per game) while also leading the conference in rushing yardage (243.1 per game).

The Wildcats return eight starters on offense, including a number of key skill players. Senior Reilly Hennessey was a difference-maker at quarterback after transferring from Division I-FCS Eastern Washington. Hennessey finished third in the GNAC in total offense, averaging 261.3 yards per game, while throwing for 28 touchdowns and rushing for five more. His pass efficiency rating of 159.5 is the highest of the conference’s returning quarterbacks. Senior offensive lineman James Moore earned Second Team D2CCA All-American honors while junior Nicholas Streubel was a First Team D2CCA All-Super Region 4 selection. Senior kicker Gavin Todd returns after making 10 of 14 field goals last year.

On defense, senior defensive lineman Tyler Hasty returns after earning First Team All-American honors by both the D2CCA and Associated Press last year. Hasty led the GNAC with eight interceptions, ranked fourth in Division II with 0.7 interceptions per game and 10th in passes defended (1.6 per game) to go along with 48 tackles. Junior defensive lineman Billy Greer earned Second Team D2CCA All-Super Region 4 honors after finishing seventh in Division II with 1.10 sacks per game (12 total) and was second in the GNAC with 15 tackles for loss. The Wildcats also return all-conference players in senior defensive lineman Elisha Pa’aga and junior defensive back Darien Williams.