ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 10) – The Central Washington University football team (8-3, 7-1 GNAC) was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference co-champion.
The Wildcats fell to Azusa Pacific (8-3, 7-1), 42-35, in their regular season finale.
"I thought we played well on offense at times," CWU Head Coach
Ian Shoemaker said. "We didn't' execute on fourth down or in the red zone all the time. They made the plays at the end of the game and we weren't able to do that. Hats off to them for coming back and sharing the title with us. We are disappointed today, we had bigger things in mind when looking at postseason opportunities. When you look back over the last two years, just one loss in conference in the last two years. If you asked me two years ago, I'd probably take that. I wish it didn't have to be today."
Cedric Cooper broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season, compiling 121 yards and three touchdowns.
Reilly Hennessey finished 15-for-27 with 315 yards and two touchdowns.
After a scoreless first quarter, Central Washington broke the deadlock early in the second quarter. Hennessey found
Jordan Tufaga on a 25-yard touchdown pass, completing a nine-play play drive for 95 yards.
Hennessey then found
Ryan Ramones on the first play of the Wildcats' next drive, hurling a 78-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead.
The Cougars responded with a touchdown of their own to eliminate the goose egg on their side of the scoreboard. Bryce Grandison snuck his way through the line for a two-yard touchdown rush.
The Crimson and Black drove the length of the field again early in the third quarter. A nine-play, 85-yard drive was capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Cooper. Central held a 21-7 lead with 11:42 left in the third quarter.
A 56-yard pass from Tyrone Williams Jr. to Darrell Adams Jr. brought the game back within one score, 21-14.
Azusa Pacific nearly levelled the score line late in the third. Weston Carr took a five-yard reception into the end zone, but Jacob Hall's point after attempt missed. The missed PAT kept the Wildcats ahead 21-20.
Cooper extended the Wildcats' lead on their next drive. Central drove 75 yards, in five plays, before Coper barreled over the goal line for his second rushing touchdown of the game and a 28-20 lead.
Trailing by eight, the Cougars took the field in need of a touchdown. They drove 85 yards and, on the 12
th play of the drive, Williams Jr. found Lucas Widmer for a TD pass. After missing their last point after attempt, APU opted to attempt a two-point conversion to level the score. The initial attempt saw a pass fell incomplete, but a penalty gave the Cougars second life. Williams took advantage of the opportunity, taking himself to tie the game at 28-28.
The Crimson and Black responded in kind, driving 75 yards and ending their drive with Cooper's third rushing touchdown of the game.
Chandler Woolley's point after gave Central a 35-28 advantage.
The Cougars wasted no time levelling the score. On their first play of the ensuing drive, Williams Jr. fired a pass downfield to Gaige Allen who took it to the house. The 75-yard TD pass brought the game even again, this time at 35-35.
Central Washington took over with 6:11 left in regulation and looked to mount an offensive for a late lead. The Cougars' defense held the Wildcats to a three and out, giving APU possession with 5:19 remaining.
Azusa marched down the field to the Wildcats' 39-yard line. Williams Jr. dropped back and slung a pass to Allen who found his way into the end zone to give APU a 42-35 lead. The Cougars were able to hold the Wildcats off in their final drive to capture a share of the GNAC title.
Ramones finished with three catches for 150 yards and one touchdown. Defensively,
Cody O'Connell led the Wildcats with 13 tackles (8S+5A=13T), while
Donte Hamilton (2S+8A=10T) and
Billy Greer (2S+8A=10T) each chipped in 10.
The Wildcats finished the season with an 8-3 overall record and a 7-1 mark in GNAC play. The Crimson and Black earned at least a share of the GNAC title for the second straight season.
