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ELLENSBURG (Oct. 26) -- The Central Washington University football team had possession for more than 40 minutes and held Azusa Pacific University to just 187 yards of total offense, but three second-half fumbles spoiled the Wildcats' hopes in a 24-17 home loss to the Cougars on Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium.

The Wildcats fell to 5-3 overall and 5-2 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, dropping into a second-place tie in the conference standings with Western Oregon University. Azusa Pacific, meanwhile, gained sole possession atop the league standings at 6-1 (6-2 overall).

CWU trailed 14-10 at halftime despite gaining 20 first downs and possessing the ball for more than 28 of the 30 first-half minutes. In fact, the Wildcat defense was spectacular in its limited time on the field, holding the Cougars without a first down in the opening two quarters and limiting them to just 16 yards of total offense on six plays. However, two big plays -- a 50-yard interception return by C.J. Broussard and a 92-yard kickoff return by Tarik Myles -- allowed APU to score its two touchdowns.

The Wildcats did not score until the first play of the second quarter, when sophomore running back JORDAN TODD (Bellevue/Interlake HS) found pay dirt on a two-yard scoring run. SEAN MCDONALD (Sammamish/Skyline HS) tied the game with his extra point, and the freshman kicker then gave CWU a 10-7 lead on the next series -- which began after the Wildcats recovered an on-side kick -- with a 20-yard field goal.

Myles gave Azusa Pacific a four-point lead after returning the ensuing kickoff by senior MATT BURKE (Laguna Hills, Calif.), breezing his way down the east side line to give the Cougars a lead they would never relinquish.

CWU held APU without a first down until the Cougars' second possession of the third quarter, which began deep in Wildcat territory after a muffed punt by sophomore ISAIAH DAVIS (Bremerton/South Kitsap HS) at his own 29 yard line. The defense surrendered one first down, but then contained the visitors inside the 10 yard line and forced them into a 23-yard field goal by Jamie Cacciatore.

A second fumble by the Wildcats interrupted a drive into Azusa Pacific territory later in the quarter, but once again, the CWU defense forced the Cougars into a three-and-out on their next possession following the fumble.

Azusa Pacific picked up an insurance score with its longest drive of the game early in the fourth quarter. The Cougars marched 90 yards on 11 plays, accumulating four first downs and capping it with an eight-yard scoring run by Terrell Watson to give them a 24-10 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining.

CWU got a takeaway of its own late in the quarter, recovering a fumble at the Cougars' 28 yard line, and the Wildcats needed just three plays to find the end zone as redshirt freshman JAKE NELSON (Lake Stevens) connected with junior JORDIN KINNUNE (North Bend/Mount Si HS) on a nine-yard scoring pass for Kinnune's first points as a Wildcat and to cut the CWU deficit to 24-17. Another on-side kick followed, and for the second time in the game, senior DEIONTE GORDON (Seaside, Calif.) recovered to give CWU another possession. However, on the first play from scrimmage after recovering the on-side kick, Nelson fumbled and Azusa Pacific recovered. The Cougars then ran out the clock after collecting two more first downs and driving into CWU territory.

The Wildcats outgained the Cougars through the air (138-95) and on the ground (173-92), doing so on 80 offensive plays to Azusa Pacific's 43. CWU also had 28 first downs to the Cougars' nine while possessing the ball for 40 minutes and eight seconds.

Sophomore CHARLES HALL JR. (Hinesville, Ga./Lakes HS) filled in admirably for Todd, who left the game in the second quarter due to injury and did not return. Hall finished with a career-high 80 yards on 22 carries, while Todd had 44 yards on 15 carries. Nelson completed 14 of 24 passes for 138 yards, including seven completions and 81 yards to junior ADAM SCHECHTER (Simi Valley, Calif.).

Azusa Pacific was led offensively by Watson, the top rusher in the GNAC, with 71 yards on 24 carries. The junior had accumulated 581 rushing yards combined over his previous two games. Ed Dillihunt was the top pass-catcher for the Cougars with four catches for 61 yards, and quarterback Dasmen Stewart was 6 of 11 for 95 yards. Defensively, Tyler Thornton made 19 tackles and Steven Fanua added 15.

CWU will play its final home game of the 2013 season next Saturday (Nov. 2), hosting Humboldt State University for Senior Day at Tomlinson Stadium.