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ARCATA, Calif. (Oct. 5) -- Sophomore Isaiah Davis (Bremerton/South Kitsap HS) had three second-half interceptions, and the Central Washington University football team scored all three of its touchdowns from 40 yards or greater in defeating host Humboldt State University, 21-13, on Saturday night at the Redwood Bowl.

The Wildcats earned their second straight road win in the state of California, improving to 3-2 overall and 3-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. Humboldt State fell to 0-5 overall and 0-4 in the GNAC.

Davis, the reigning GNAC/Red Lion Hotels Special Teams Player of the Week, also logged 87 return yards on four kick returns, made seven tackles, and broke up two other passes for the Wildcats in Saturday's win.

Meanwhile, the CWU offense used three big plays to account for its points. Redshirt freshman Jake Nelson (Lake Stevens) connected with fellow freshman Jesse Zalk (Battle Ground/Prairie HS) on a season-long 59-yard pass play early in the second quarter to get the Wildcats on the scoreboard. Then, with just over six minutes remaining in the first half, safety Cole Graves (Kirkland/Juanita HS) scooped up a fumble at the Humboldt State 40 and ran it in for the touchdown to give CWU a 14-7 lead. Humboldt State kicked a field goal as time expired in the first half to make it a four-point differential at the break.

In the second half, it was Davis and the CWU defense that proved to be the difference. Three of Humboldt State's six possessions in the second half were interrupted by interceptions from Davis, including two that had traversed into Wildcat territory. The final series of the game by the Lumberjacks, which amassed 14 plays and 48 yards, also resulted in the hosts coming away empty after four consecutive incompletions inside the CWU 30.

The final score of the evening for the Wildcats, which provided CWU with some insurance, came in the form of sophomore running back Jordan Todd (Bellevue/Interlake HS). With just under nine minutes left in the third quarter, Todd scampered 40 yards for the touchdown, extending the CWU lead to 21-10. Humboldt State added a field goal on its next drive for what would prove to be the final points of the contest.

Humboldt State outgained the Wildcats by a narrow 259-250 count, but CWU finished with a 121-60 advantage on the ground. Todd spearheaded that effort once again, carrying the ball 31 times for 130 net yards. Nelson went the distance under center for the Wildcats, completing just 10 of 24 passes for 129 yards, while Zalk had the best game of his career with 79 yards on five receptions.

On the defensive side of the ball, where CWU held Humboldt State to precisely its season average on the scoreboard -- 13 points -- it was senior Ridge Nielsen (Mesa, Ariz./Mountain View HS) who led the way in the tackle department. Nielsen, who also forced the fumble on which Graves scored in the first half, totaled a game-high nine tackles including 2 1/2 for losses. Davis and junior linebacker JB Torsy (Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills HS) added seven tackles apiece, and defensive backs Cedrique Chaney (So., Kelso) and Deionte Gordon (Sr., Seaside, Calif.) finished with six stops each.

Humboldt State was led by Chase Krivashei, who accumulated 203 all-purpose yards including 130 receiving on 14 catches.

CWU, which remains tied for first place in the GNAC standings with Azusa Pacific, will host Dixie State University (Utah) next Saturday (Oct. 12) for its annual Homecoming game at Tomlinson Stadium.