ELLENSBURG, Wash. --  The Central Washington University football team defeated The University of North Alabama (3-4) 17-10 behind a stout defensive performance, improving to 8-0 on the season.
 
The Wildcats trailed 10-7 late in the third quarter, before taking a 17-10 lead with over 10-minutes to play on a four-yard rush by Austin Pernell.
 
The Wildcats defense has been dominant all year, and saved its best performance of the season for when CWU needed it most.  The Wildcats held the Lions to just 178 yards of total offense, 56 rushing and 122 passing.  Central also sacked the Lions five times with Billy Greer leading the way with 2 sacks.  Greer finished with three tackles for loss and six total tackles.
 
Kevin Haynes led the defense with nine tackles, 3.5 for loss, half a sack, and a fumble recovery.  Jackson Huerta saw action all over the field finishing with six tackles, one for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup.
 
In the second half alone, the CWU defense held the Lions to just 60 yards of offense, allowing just five first downs (three coming from penalties).
 
"We knew that we were going to be in for a war today, and I am proud of the fight we saw out of our guys today," CWU Head Coach Ian Shoemaker said.  "We have to take care of the ball better, turnovers were very costly.  Fortunately, we have a defense that is doing some special things.  We leaned on the defense and they kept us within striking distance, and when we took the lead they turned it up a notch to close the game out."
 
The strong defensive effort was much needed as the Wildcats found themselves down 10-7 to start the second half.  A 25-yard field goal by Gavin Todd knotted the game late in the third quarter, followed by a four-yard touchdown run by Austin Pernell at the 10:42 mark in the fourth to give the Wildcats the final 17-10 advantage.
 
Pernell had his most impressive game of the season, rushing for 189 yards on 35 carries and two scores.  Both his rushing and attempt totals are career-highs for Pernell who has started the past two games after Christian Cummings was sidelined due to injury.
 
"Pernell ran hard today, and we needed everything he was able to give us, it was quite the performance," CWU Head Coach Ian Shoemaker said.  "It has been a long time coming for Pernell and I couldn't be more proud of him.  He earned every yard he got today against a very tough defense."
 
Quarterback Reilly Hennessey completed 12 of 20 passes for 128 yards and two interceptions, one of which was returned 72-yards for an UNA score.  Despite the uncharacteristic passing performance from the junior, Hennessey used his feet to gain 58 yards on the ground, helping the Wildcats rush for 235 yards in the game.
 
"We have to be better with the ball, and I don't need to make a homerun out of every play. I did some things that were out of character, but the guys around me picked up the slack," CWU QB Reilly Hennessey said.  "Our offensive line doesn't get the credit they deserve.  We have an impressive group up front that handled a very big and physical line today… and our defense is awesome.  It is a unique feeling as a quarterback to be able to play fairly free.  I have complete faith in our defense that if we make mistakes they will step up and get us the ball back, which is what they did on every drive today."
 
The majority of the pass completions went to the senior wide out duo of Christian Gasca and Justin Peterson.  Gasca finished with five catches for 53 yards, while Peterson hauled down three for 55.
 
The Wildcats return to action next week when they host Azusa Pacific on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.  It will be senior day at Tomlinson Stadium and the game will also be streamed live on ESPN3.