Football | 10/7/2016 9:37:00 AM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 7) – The Central Washington University football team (3-2, 2-1 GNAC) is traveling to Arcata, Calif. to take on Humboldt State (3-2, 1-2 GNAC) this Saturday, Oct. 8, in the 33^rd meeting between the two schools.
 
Central holds a 20-11-1 all-time record over the Lumberjacks dating back to 1958 where a 27-27 tie decided the outcome of the game.  After losing the next five contests against HSU from 1961 to 1997, the Wildcats ripped of 16 straight victories between 1999 and 2009.  However, the Lumberjacks have won the last two meetings, most recently last October.
 
After starting the year ranked 13^th in the Nation and defeating nationally ranked Carson Newman in its season opener, the Lumberjacks have struggled in Great Northwest Athletic Conference games, losing to both Azusa Pacific and Western Oregon, sandwiched between a win over Simon Fraser.
 
Defensively Humboldt State has struggled, giving up 469 yards of total offense to its opponents and allowing 36.4 points per game.  The HSU offense on the other hand has carried the team, scoring 41.6 points per game and racking up 503 yards of offense per game.
 
Leading the HSU offensive charge is one of the nation's premier running backs in 2015 Harlon Hill runner up, Ja'Quan Gardner.  Gardner, who is coming off injury, leads the GNAC with 11 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 118 yards per game.
 
"Humboldt is a very talented team with a high powered offense," CWU Head Coach Ian Shoemaker said.  "Gardner is about as good as it gets, and we have to limit what he does, but they also throw for over 300 yards a game.  At this point in the season we know our defense will come ready to play, offensively we need to put up points and take care of the football."
 
The Wildcat defense flexed its muscle again last week, holding Simon Fraser to under 240 total yards.  Kevin Haynes totaled eight solo tackles in the game, including a sack and four tackles for loss, leading to a GNAC Defensive Player of the Week selection.
 
Central allows just 363.4 yards per game, and gives up just 22.8 points.
 
The CWU offense has been firing on all cylinders the past two weeks scoring 40 and 55 points in the last two weeks.
 
The game kicks off at 6 p.m. and can be viewed live via Wildcatsports.com.  Live radio for the broadcast can be found locally on 88.1 The Burg, and can be streamed live here.