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KINGSVILLE, Texas (Sept. 1) -- Senior quarterback Ryan Robertson (Sammamish/Eastlake HS) threw for 253 yards, and senior running back Demetrius Sumler (San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS) netted 92 yards on 17 carries, but four Central Washington University turnovers were converted into 20 points for host Texas A&M University-Kingsville in the Wildcats' 35-7 football loss to the Javelinas on Saturday night at Javelina Stadium.

The Wildcats dropped their third consecutive season opener -- including their second straight against Texas A&M-Kingsville. The 28-point margin of defeat was also the team's largest during fifth-year head coach Blaine Bennett's era at CWU.

Aided by Robertson's yardage total, the Wildcats outgained Texas A&M-Kingsville by a 351-310 count. However, Robertson threw two interceptions -- both of which netted long returns -- and CWU had two fumbles lost at key times when the score was close. The Wildcats were also unsuccessful on two field goal attempts in the game, including one on their opening possession of the game after they had gone 40 yards on nine plays.

Texas A&M-Kingsville scored the game's first points on a field goal with 1:17 to go in the first quarter, and the Javelinas' first two scores were both field goals. A touchdown with 1:20 left in the first half gave the hosts a 12-0 lead, but CWU countered with a score of its own when Robertson connected with senior Tavoy Moore (Long Beach, Calif./Gahr HS) with seven seconds to go in the period to make it a five-point differential at the half.

"In the first half, both teams definitely looked like they were playing their first game," Bennett said. "Each team made a lot of mistakes early -- both offensively and in the kicking game -- and the game really turned into a tale of two halves. Had we taken advantage of some opportunities in the first half, it would have been a whole different story."

CWU had three turnovers on its five third-quarter possessions, while Texas A&M-Kingsville scored touchdowns on its first two series of the period and added a field goal two possessions later to turn the 12-7 halftime count into a 28-7 edge entering the fourth quarter. The Javelinas added their final points on a 48-yard pass play with 9:21 remaining.

"We had too many three-and-outs, and they (Texas A&M-Kingsville) got their offense going," Bennett added, referring to the offense in the second half.

The Wildcats' two yardage leaders were two of their NCAA Division I transfers -- Sumler from Colorado and Moore from Idaho State. Sumler had a steady game rushing the football, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with a long of 21 yards. Moore, meanwhile, led all players with 74 receiving yards and five catches.

"We have some nice talent on the offensive side of the ball, and we moved the ball statistically," Bennett explained. "However, you're not going to be able to win at the NCAA Division II level by only scoring seven points."

On defense, CWU made several key stops that turned potential Texas A&M-Kingsville touchdown drives into field goal attempts. Junior Stan Langlow (University Place/Curtis HS) anchored the defensive effort with 2 1/2 tackles for losses and a game-high 10 tackles overall. Seniors Louie Bruketta (Ellensburg/Kittitas HS) and Kevin Puckett (Pomona, Calif./Garey HS) each had a career-high eight tackles.

The Wildcats will play the second of three straight away games next Saturday (Sept. 8), opening Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Simon Fraser University in a 2 p.m. contest.