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ELLENSBURG (Nov. 2) -- Redshirt freshman quarterback JAKE NELSON (Lake Stevens) threw for 172 yards and ran for 66 more, and the Central Washington University defense had three takeaways and 10 tackles for losses as the Wildcats defeated visiting Humboldt State University, 21-14, on Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium.

The Wildcats improved to 6-3 overall and 6-2 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, while Humboldt State fell to 0-9 overall and 0-8 in GNAC action. CWU also finished with a 3-3 record at home this season, marking the 15th consecutive season with a .500 or better record inside Tomlinson Stadium.

Nelson completed 15 of 22 passes with two touchdowns, and also used his legs for a career-high rushing total. He had consecutive carries of 25 and 30 yards late in the first half as he marched the Wildcats down the field, but an interception ended that drive.

"I thought Jake played well," CWU head coach John Picha said. "He played within our game plan and we moved the offense down the field. We got in some passing situations, and Jake performed well. We will watch film and then make corrections and see if any corrections need to be made and praise to be given."

Nelson's 172 yards were his second-highest total this season, while his rushing total was 16 more than his previous season-best in that department.

Defensively, several Wildcats had standout performances including junior JB TORSY (Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills HS) and seniors STAN LANGLOW (University Place/Curtis HS) and RIDGE NIELSEN (Mesa, Ariz./Mountain View HS). Torsy led the way with seven tackles, including two for losses with two quarterback hurries, while Langlow had five tackles and was involved in two takeaways with a forced fumble and his 11th career interception. Nielsen also finished with five tackles in his final collegiate home game.

CWU scored the game's first points on its opening offensive drive, as Nelson connected with junior JORDIN KINNUNE (North Bend/Mount Si HS) on a 17-yard, one-handed touchdown catch to cap an eight-play, 60-yard drive. That lead held through the remainder of the first quarter and all of the second, despite two potential opportunities to add to the advantage.

Humboldt State tied the game on its opening possession of the second half, as Casey Mintz hit a wide-open Kelechi Nwadibia in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown pass. CWU fumbled the ensuing kickoff to return possession back to the Lumberjacks, and then had to rely on its defense -- namely Langlow -- to get the ball back. The senior safety picked off his 11th career pass and returned it 47 yards into HSU territory, but a missed field goal resulted in an empty series for the Wildcats.

CWU finally broke the tie with a four-play, 66-yard series that sophomore CHARLES HALL JR. (Hinesville, Ga./Lakes HS) capped with his first career touchdown -- a 19-yard scoring carry with 3:27 to go in the third quarter. A 42-yard pass from Nelson to junior GREG LOGAN (Graham/Graham-Kapowsin HS) helped set the Wildcats up for the go-ahead score.

In the fourth quarter, senior BRYCE DAVIS (Auburn) used a pair of carries and Nelson added a pair of completions -- a 26-yarder to redshirt freshman JESSE ZALK (Battle Ground/Prairie HS) and a three-yard scoring pass to freshman COLTER CLINCH (Bothell/Woodinville HS) -- to extend the lead to two scores with 11:41 remaining in the game.

Humboldt State pieced together its longest drive of the game, a nine-play, 90-yard series, to cut into its deficit as Mintz connected with Chase Krivashei on a 23-yard touchdown pass with 3:09 left to make it a 21-14 game. However, the Lumberjacks' ensuing on-side kick was recovered by the Wildcats, and CWU handed the ball off to Hall four times before taking a knee twice and ending the game.

CWU totaled 209 passing yards to go with Nelson's 172 yards through the air. Three players -- Hall (69 yards), Nelson (66), and Davis (61) -- broke the 60-yard rushing barrier. Zalk had a team-high five receptions, while Logan was the game's top receiver in terms of yards with 64.

In addition to the aforementioned tackle leaders, sophomore JOJO BROOKS (Seattle/O'Dea HS) had three tackles, a quarterback sack, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Senior DONNIE JOHNSON (Olympia/Capital HS) matched Torsy with a team-best two tackles for losses, including 1 1/2 sacks.

Mintz threw for 104 yards on 6 of 15 passing for Humboldt State in relief of starting quarterback Kyle Morris, who was 7 of 11 for 44 yards). Krivashei had a game-high seven receptions. Defensively, Silas Sarvinski led all players with 13 tackles and Dillon Huffman finished with 10.

CWU, which trails Azusa Pacific by one game in the conference standings, has two away games remaining on its 2013 schedule. The Wildcats visit Western Oregon University (5-4, 5-3 GNAC) next Saturday (Nov. 9) before closing out the season against Dixie State University on Nov. 16.