BOLIVAR, Mo. (Nov. 3) – The Central Washington University football team (8-2, 7-0 GNAC) set a CWU record for rushing touchdowns in a game as they routed Southwest Baptist (0-9, 0-6 GLVC), 74-28.
 
The Wildcats' rushers found the end zone nine times, breaking the previous record of six rushing touchdowns.  The previous record was six rushing touchdowns in four separate games.  Three of those games came against Simon Fraser, two in 2012 and one in 2018.  The Wildcats also rushed for six touchdowns at Dixie State on Sept. 23, 2017.
 
Central Washington also set a CWU record for rushing yards in a game (514), surpassing their previous record of 486 at Lewis & Clark on Oct. 19, 1985. They also set the record for highest average gain per rush at 9.3 yards per carry.  The Wildcats also edged out their previous record of 9.2 yards per play, set this season against Simon Fraser, with 9.3 yards per play.
 
The Wildcats' 74 points is the second-highest mark all-time, just one point shy of the CWU record (75) set against Fort Lewis on Aug. 30, 2002.   The 667 yards of total offense ranks third all-time in Central Washington history.
 
Central Washington set a school record with 11 total touchdowns, nine on the ground, one in the air, and one pick six.  The previous record was 10 touchdowns against Fort Lewis on Aug. 30, 2002.
 
"Guys up front played well and the running backs ran hard," CWU Head Coach Ian Shoemaker said.  "It was a good day on the running side for sure.  We always try to do what is available on offense.  Today we were able to commit to the run and there wasn't a reason to expose the ball in the passing game.  Running the ball in the second half we were able to slow it down and use it to take time off the clock."
 
Reilly Hennessey found the end zone first, breaking off a 32-yard rushing touchdown, giving Central a 6-0 advantage after Tyren Sams intercepted the first pass of Bryse Salik's day.
 
The Bearcats responded in kind on their second drive.  Eric Knight broke through the Wildcat defense for a 41-yard touchdown rush. 
 
Trailing 7-6, the Wildcats' offense went back to work, driving down the field to set up a four-yard touchdown run from Cedric Cooper.  Chandler Woolley added the point after, putting Central back up 13-7.
 
Knight broke free again on the Bearcats' next drive for a 58-yard TD run to regain a one-point, 14-13 lead.
 
Michael Roots found his way into the end zone one minute into the second quarter.  The Wildcats' running back scampered in for a three-yard touchdown for a 20-14 CWU lead.
 
Cooper added his second touchdown of the afternoon with 6:57 left in the second quarter, extending the Wildcats' lead to 27-14.  After an interception from Cody O'Connell, Cooper found his way into the end zone for the third time, staking out a 34-14 lead for the Wildcats. 
 
Hennessey found Tre Mason III for a touchdown on the Wildcats' next drive, extending their advantage to 41-14, before Roots punched in his second rushing touchdown as part of a 37-0 CWU run.
 
Roots finished with 140 yards on the ground, putting his season total at 1,004 yards. 
 
Trailing 48-14, Salik found Knight for a 67-yard TD pass, ending the Wildcats' run and cutting the score to 48-21. 
 
Hennessey found an open lane and scampered in from three yards out for a 54-21 lead.  On the ensuing Bearcats' drive, Donte Hamilton intercepted a pass from Salik and took it back 64 yards for a touchdown.  It is the second pick-six in as many weeks for the CWU defense.
 
"Tyren [Sams] getting that early pick set the tone for the day," Shoemaker said.  "Obviously, Donte's [Hamiton] pick-six is huge.  Not only does it get our defense a stop, it puts points on the board."
 
Hamilton led the Crimson and Black defense with 13 tackles.  Uli Ma'ae finished with nine tackles, while Kai Gamble chipped in seven.
 
Salik was lifted for Sam Hill, who found Connor Ratcliff on his first drive for a touchdown. 
 
The Wildcats wasted no time responding as Cooper punched in his fourth TD of the game.  Christian Cummings capped the Wildcats' scoring with a rushing touchdown with 1:57 left in the fourth quarter.
 
Central Washington is back in action on Saturday (Nov. 10) for Senior Day against Azusa Pacific.  Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.