Box Score

MONMOUTH, Ore. (Nov. 7) -- Senior Buddy Wood (Chattaroy/Riverside HS) had a game-high 14 tackles and Central Washington University held Western Oregon to 167 yards in total offense in securing the Wildcats' undefeated regular season with a 20-6 win over the Wolves in rainy and muddy conditions at McArthur Field on Saturday.

The win preserved Central's unbeaten regular season -- its first since 2002 and its seventh since 1960 -- at 11-0. The Wildcats' victory, combined with losses by top-ranked North Alabama and fourth-ranked Minnesota State Mankato, leaves CWU as the only undefeated team in Division II and likely to move into the top spot when the next rankings are released on Monday. Western Oregon finished its season at 5-5 (3-3 Great Northwest Athletic Conference).

Central led the low-scoring battle by a 6-0 score at halftime, as senior Cole Morgan (Seattle/Ballard HS) scored the only points of the opening half on a 14-yard first-quarter touchdown run. Senior Garrett Rolsma's (University Place/Curtis HS) ensuing extra-point attempt was blocked, snapping a streak of 99 straight PATs made dating back to 2007, and keeping Central's lead at six.

The Wildcat defense excelled in the first half, forcing Western Oregon into punts on its first four possessions and intercepting a pass on the Wolves' fifth series as sophomore Anthony Stewart (Seattle/Rainier Beach HS) had his first career interception late in the second quarter.

Central's defensive success carried over into the third quarter as they forced Western Oregon into another punt on the Wolves' first offensive series. The Wildcats then scored on a three-play, 75-yard drive as Morgan connected with senior Johnny Spevak (Edgewood/Puyallup HS) on consecutive pass plays, including a 66-yard scoring strike that gave Spevak his 53rd career touchdown to set a new school record (for total touchdowns). Rolsma started a new streak with the PAT and the lead reached 13 points with 10:10 left in the third quarter.

The Wildcats took advantage of outstanding field position for their final score later in the quarter. After taking over at the WOU 15 following an 11-yard punt, senior Randall Eldridge (Lynnwood) had three consecutive carries including a seven-yard TD run with 4:24 left that pushed the lead to 20-0. Central's defense again held Western Oregon scoreless in the third quarter, marking the ninth time in 11 games this season that the Wildcats have not surrendered a third-quarter score.

With a healthy lead intact, Central turned to its running game exclusively in the fourth quarter with nine carries but just eight yards while not attempting a pass. Western Oregon did most of its offensive work in the final period, totaling 93 of its 167 yards of offense for the game in the final 15 minutes. The Wolves finally ruined Central's shutout bid with a three-yard scoring pass from Josh Riddell to Shaun Kauleinamoku with 2:07 remaining. The extra point was blocked by the Wildcats' Andrew Oney (Spanaway/Spanaway Lake HS) to keep it at a 14-point final margin.

The Wildcats dominated the game offensively, totaling 293 yards to Western Oregon's 167. Central had 151 yards rushing and 142 through the air, with Morgan completing 11 of 18 passes but turning the ball over twice on fumbles. Eldridge netted 78 rushing yards on 18 carries while Bryson Kelly (Mukilteo/Kamiak HS) had 56 yards on seven carries. Spevak and Reggie Westmoreland (Stockton, Calif./Edison HS) had three receptions each for Central.

On defense, Wood spearheaded Central's efforts with a season-high 14 tackles including 3 1/2 for losses to up his career total to 41 1/2 -- two shy of the CWU career record. Fellow linebacker Prince Hall (Moreno Valley, Calif.) had another strong game with eight tackles including 1 1/2 for losses as the Wildcats finished with seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Hall and Stewart had the Wildcats' two interceptions on the day.

Western Oregon's Riddell completed 15 of 30 passes for 136 yards, while DJ Jackson was the Wolves' only backfield threat but had 16 carries for just 28 yards.

Central Washington has likely locked up the number one seed in Super Region Four in addition to its likely number one national ranking next week. The Wildcats will learn of their postseason fate at approximately noon (PST) on Sunday with the announcement of the NCAA Division II postseason field.