ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Oct. 20) – The Central Washington University football team (6-2, 6-0) set multiple records in their 60-19 drubbing of Simon Fraser University (1-7, 0-6).
 
The Wildcats totaled a record 719 yards of total offense, surpassing the previous mark of 696 set against Fort Lewis on August 30, 2002.  The 719 yards is not only a CWU record, but also a new GNAC record.  Central averaged 9.2 yards per play, another new CWU record, and amassed 868 all-purpose yards for yet another CWU record.  Michael Roots tied the longest rush from scrimmage in CWU history, busting out an 80-yard run in the third quarter.
 
The 719 yards of offense was made possible by the men in the trenches, the offensive line, barreling through the Simon Fraser defense to open running lanes and keeping hungry defenders away from their signal caller.  Their work didn't go unnoticed afterward.
 
"You see a guy like Reilly [Hennessey] playing at a high-level and guys like Cedric [Cooper] and [Michael] Roots are off the charts in terms of making plays beyond the playbook," CWU Head Coach Ian Shoemaker said afterward.  "It all goes back to the offensive line.  They've played lights out all year.  It doesn't matter who the opponent is.  Coach [Chris] Fisk has done a great job with those guys and if you're o-line is good, and your QB is making good decisions, you've always got a chance."
 
Chase DeMoor continues to shatter the single-season blocked kicks record, adding another block to his tally for seven on the season.  DeMoor is now one blocked kick away from tying the CWU career blocked kick record, blocking all six kicks thus far in one season.
 
Reilly Hennessey finished 17-for-25 through the air with 351 yards and four touchdowns.  Roots led the Wildcats' rushing attack, scurrying for 117 yards on seven carries.  Cedric Cooper recorded 112 yards on 17 carries.
 
Quinton Lewis hauled in five passes for, 112 yards, and a pair of touchdowns.  Tony Archie reeled in three catches, for 76 yards, and one touchdown.  Roots added one catch, a 52-yard touchdown reception, to his day as well.
 
Donte Hamilton led the Wildcat defense with seven tackles (5S+2A=7T).  He also picked off a pass and returned it for 64 yards.  Elisha Pa'aga recorded six tackles and two and a half sacks.  The sacks combined for a loss of 11 yards.  Austin Crawford recorded two sacks for a loss of 12 yards.  Tevin Gray, DeMoor, and Kai Gamble each recorded one sack.  Billy Greer, Max Nauer, and Isaiah Carbajal each recorded a half-sack.  Central's defense combined for nine total sacks on the evening.  The Wildcats plowed through Simon Fraser's offensive line, seemingly at will, to hold SFU to -45 rushing yards.  Crawford and Lucas Peterson each forced a fumble, while Tyler Hasty recovered one.  Cody O'Connell also picked off a pass from Richardson.
 
"Our defense was awesome tonight," Shoemaker noted.  "They were physical and made the quarterback's day miserable.  We'll take a 60-19 win for sure."
 
The Wildcat defense forced a three and out on the Clan's first possession of the game. They capitalized by going 54 yards in 3:40, capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Cooper. Simon Fraser came right back and marched down the field, as Miles Richardson found a man open on a short route.  After taking the lead at a score of 7-6, the CWU offense exploded.
 
Following SFU's first touchdown, the Wildcats scored four consecutive touchdowns.  Cooper found a gap on a seven-yard rush, before Lewis reeled in a 10-yard pass from Hennessey.  Roots then dived over the top of the trenches for a 1-yard rush, before taking a 52-yard reception to the house for a 32-7 lead. 
 
The Wildcats proceeded totaled 32 points in the first half, having no problem marching the football down the field. They continued their dominance and scored on their first play from scrimmage in the second half with a 65-yard bomb from Hennessey to Archie to increase the Wildcat lead to 38-13.
 
Central's defense came out and made a statement of their own to start off the second half. After an incomplete pass and a rush for a loss of three, the entire Wildcat defensive line got in the backfield after the snap to Richardson careened off the turf and was kicked out of the back of the end zone by SFU's southpaw signal caller.
 
Hennessey later found Lewis again, this time on a 39-yard TD pass.  With six minutes to play in the third quarter, Roots broke free and sprinted 80 yards for his second touchdown rush of the game.
 
After Richardson found a man open for an eight-yard touchdown, Christian Cummings plowed through the defense for a four-yard touchdown rush. 
 
The Wildcats are on the road next week to face Humboldt State in Arcata, Calif. for a GNAC match-up.  Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.