Box Score

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (Aug. 29) -- The 14th-ranked Central Washington University defense held Mesa State to 12 first downs and kept the Mavericks scoreless as the Wildcats came away with a 10-0 victory in the 2009 football season opener on Saturday night at Stocker Stadium.

Central improved to 6-0 all-time against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference members with the win. The Wildcats' 10 points were the fewest scored in a victory in nearly 26 years, matching a 10-0 win at Western Oregon on Nov. 19, 1983.

The game was scoreless until the opening drive of the second half, when redshirt freshman Ryan Robertson (Sammamish/Eastlake HS) connected with preseason All-American receiver Johnny Spevak (Edgewood/Puyallup HS) on a 68-yard pass play just 59 seconds into the period. That proved to be the game's only touchdown as the Wildcats went in front 7-0.

Central's defense prevented any opportunity for Mesa State to score in the second half, preventing the Mavericks from moving the football inside the Wildcats' 44-yard line on any of their seven second-half possessions. On one of those drives, Mesa started at the Central 44 before senior Jerome Williams (Seattle/Ballard HS) picked off quarterback Robert Feldberg on the first play from scrimmage. The pick was the 12th of Williams' CWU career.

The Wildcats added three insurance points on their first drive of the fourth quarter, marching 65 yards on 11 plays before senior Garrett Rolsma (University Place/Curtis HS) kicked a 30-yard field goal to extend the margin to 10-0. Earlier in the game, Rolsma extended his consecutive point-after-touchdown made streak to 67.

Each team missed key scoring opportunities in its opponent's red zone in the first half, beginning with a fumble by Mesa State on its first possession. Senior Marcus Ford (Sacramento, Calif./Grant HS) forced a Joey Applehans fumble at the Wildcats' 16-yard line, which senior Buddy Wood (Chattaroy/Riverside HS) recovered to thwart the Mavericks' first scoring opportunity of the contest.

Central squandered scoring opportunities on its second and third drives of the night, coughing up the football at the Mesa State four after taking over possession at the Mavericks' six. They also got inside the five yard line on their next drive before penalties and a quarterback sack took the Wildcats out of the red zone. Rolsma attempted a 49-yard field goal that was blocked, keeping the game scoreless at halftime.

Robertson, who completed his first eight passes, finished 14 of 30 for 205 yards while playing the entire game at quarterback. Spevak finished with eight catches for 133 yards, and his third-quarter touchdown was the 43rd of his career, tying Kenny Russaw for the school's career record for receiving touchdowns. The Wildcats also logged 135 yards on the ground, led by 84 yards on 11 carries from senior Randall Eldridge (Lynnwood). Junior Bryson Kelly (Mukilteo/Kamiak HS) added 41 yards on 14 carries, while senior Jerome Morris (Los Angeles, Calif./Jefferson HS) finished with 32 yards on eight carries.

On defense, Wood and senior Matt Ah You (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Lone Peak HS) led the way with 10 tackles apiece. Ford, Williams, and Wood all had interceptions, while Eugene Germany (Pomona, Calif.) had a quarterback sack and four others each had a half sack.

Mesa State totaled 155 passing and 97 rushing yards for the game, but had just 69 offensive yards in the second half. Felberg was 13 of 24 passing with three costly interceptions, while Applehanz was the Mavericks' top rusher with 48 yards on 14 carries.

Central Washington will continue its extended road trip with a visit to defending national champion and third-ranked Minnesota Duluth (1-0) next Thursday (Sept. 3). The game, slated for a 7 p.m. Central Time (5 p.m. PDT) start, will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports. More details on the telecast will be provided early next week.

NOTES:
* The scoreless tie at halftime marked the first such occurrence since Sept. 14, 2002 (CWU eventually defeated Carroll, 26-8).
* WR Johnny Spevak (tied the CWU career record for receiving touchdowns (43) with his third-quarter 68-yard TD catch. The reception was also the second-longest of his career (long is 71-yarder at Western Oregon on Sept. 13, 2008).
* Spevak now has 3,539 receiving yards, becoming second player in school history with 3,500 or more receiving yards.
* QB Ryan Robertson completed his first eight collegiate passes before finishing 14 of 30 for 205 yards.
* S Jerome Williams had his 12th career interception, moving him into a four-way tie for fifth on the all-time list.
* LB Buddy Wood is now third in career tackles with 284.
* DL Marcus Ford had his first career interception in the fourth quarter.
* Mesa State LB Bennett Newton finished with 19 tackles, the most by a Wildcat opponent since Oct. 19, 2002 when Rob White of Western Washington had 20.