ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Sept. 26) – The Central Washington University football team ran just four offensive plays in the first quarter of its Battle for the Border contest against Simon Fraser, but three of them went for touchdowns as the Wildcats scored 40 points for the second-consecutive week, defeating the Clan 40-7 Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
For the second-straight year, CWU (2-2) had defeated Simon Fraser (0-3) in the Battle for the Border and the Battle for the Border Trophy will remain in Ellensburg for another year.
 
"Our guys love to compete for the big show and thrive on the opportunity to play for something that means more than just the one-on-one game." CWU Head Coach Ian Shoemaker said about the game. "This was more than just a game against Simon Fraser they were competing for the National Guard, our country, and to keep the trophy at home."
 
Justin Lane led the passing attack for the Wildcats connecting on 11 of 17 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.  Lane split time with Jake Nelson who threw for 136 yards with a touchdown and one interception. 
 
Once again Christian Gasca led the receiving efforts by CWU gaining 123 yards on just three receptions, the first of which went 80 yards for a touchdown on the Wildcats first offensive play of the season.  Jesse Zalk was not far behind with five receptions for 122 yards.
 
Jordan Todd gained 69-yards rushing on nine carries and two touchdowns.  He was also a recipient of a pass on a trick play where wide out Justin Peterson took a reverse handoff and passed to Todd for a gain of 45 yards.
 
"We had great success on offense and put up some great numbers, but our defense really stepped up today," Shoemaker said about the contest. "For them to have only a 111 yards of total offense is impressive.  They gave us some problems on their first drive, but our defense made adjustments after that and really handled their offense the rest of the game."
 
The Wildcats totaled six sacks led by Bo Banner and Winslow Kouassi who each had 1.5 on the day.  Kevin Haynes led the Wildcats with eight total tackles.
 
The Wildcats outgained the Clan 452-111, with CWU gaining 347 yards through the air and 105 on the ground.  The CWU defense held SFU to negative rushing yards for the majority of the contest, but the Clan managed to gain three total rushing yards.
 
The Wildcats scored 21 points in 51 seconds of offensive possession in their first three drives.  Central Washington's 21 points ties the mark set by Pittsburgh State for most points in under a minute of offensive possession.  Pittsburgh State set their mark in 2004 against Missouri S&T in just 50 seconds.
 
"We were fortunate to hit on the first play, and we decided to try it again on the second play and found success both times," Shoemaker said about the quick offense. "Our third score was actually the second play on our play sheet, but we had such great results on our first offensive play we went back to it again."
 
Simon Fraser opened the game on a 12-play 54-yard drive but missed the 38-yard field goal attempt.  The Wildcats took possession on their own 20 yardline and one snap later Nelson found Gasca wide open down the seam of the defense, and the sophomore darted his way toward the south end zone to put CWU up 7-0.
 
On the very next offensive possession the Nelson hooked up with Jesse Zalk on a 44-yard strike that landed the Wildcats on the one yard line.  One the ensuing play Todd punched the ball over the line for the score at the 2:18 mark in the first quarter.
 
Keeping with the trend of quick possessions, Jordan Todd scored on the very first play of the Wildcats next offensive set scampering 32 yards for his second score of the game.
 
Lane entered the game in the second quarter and led the Wildcats on a seven play 75-yard drive that ended in a 50-yard touchdown completion to Zalk.  Lane stayed efficient and led the Wildcats on another long drive that lasted 4:45 ending in a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Self who dived over the pylon for the Wildcats fifth offensive touchdown of the half. 
 
The Wildcats entered halftime with a commanding 35-0 lead.
 
On the Wildcats first play of the second half Peterson and Todd teamed up on the reverse pass down to the SFU 18 yard line which led to Sean McDonald's lone field goal of the contest.
 
Central Washington's final score came in an odd scenario where the Clan had a fourth-and-8 from their own 12 yard line, and instead of punting to the dangerous Jesse Zalk they elected to take a knee in their own end zone handing the Wildcats two points for a safety.
 
Simon Fraser's lone score came early in the fourth quarter on a 55-yard pass completion.
 
The Wildcats will next travel to Arcata, Calif. to take on reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions Azusa Pacific at 6 p.m. on Oct. 3.