For the first time in 686 days, Central Washington will play a game at Tomlinson Stadium as the Wildcats welcome Angelo State to town on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be televised on SWX TV in Yakima and Tri Cities on Charter Spectrum channel 183.
 
The last time we saw the Wildcats at home, they were running all over Southwest Baptist in a 72-17 win on Nov. 9, 2019, as Central neared its third straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship season.
 
For head coach Chris Fisk, a return to the norm is long overdue for CWU and Ellensburg.
 
"Football is an event that brings the community together," Fisk said. "It's going to be fun seeing the campus community and the City of Ellensburg have something to celebrate. I hope we do it with a bunch of masks on to help prevent the spread of CoVID-19, but we're excited to get back out there and run through the tunnel and represent our school. We're excited to be at home and be in an atmosphere we're comfortable with.
 
The 2020 campaign was essentially non-existent. The COVID pandemic wiped out the fall season and teams were left with the option of piecemealing a schedule together in the spring. While the Wildcats did take the field last April, a 59-3 loss at Montana didn't do much to satisfy the football itch.
 
But things are close to back to normal this season, and the Wildcats are playing football again. Central enters Saturday's game with a 2-1 mark following last Saturday's 36-14 win at Simon Fraser. It was the Wildcats 14^th consecutive win against SFU.
 
A new star emerged last weekend, as junior transfer Rashaad Boddie ran for 279 yards on 25 carries, scoring three touchdowns including an 87-yard romp late in the fourth quarter to seal this victory. Boddie, who last played at Colorado State during the 2018 campaign, averaged 11.2 yards per carry as Central rushed for 370 yards as a team.
 
Boddie was named as GNAC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
 
Defensively, linebacker Donte Hamilton continues to lead the way. The most recent CWU defender to be awarded the coveted No. 44 jersey, Hamilton has 21 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception and 4.5 tackles for loss through three games.
 
Angelo State (2-1 overall), members of the Lone Star Conference, enter Saturday's game following a 35-17 home loss to top conference rival Midwestern State, CWU's opponent next weekend.
 
The Rams like to run the ball, as evidenced by their 226-yard per game rushing average through their first three games. In last Saturday's loss, Angelo State ran for 253 yards, with Nathaniel Omayebu's 161 yards leading the way.
 
The Rams opened the season with a 40-20 upset at No. 22 Lindenwood. One week later, ASU edged Chadron State, 28-24, on the road.
 
Angelo State was picked to finish second in the LSC's preseason poll.
 
COVID-19 MASK REMINDER
All fans attending athletic events at Central Washington University are required to wear a mask upon entering the venue, regardless of total attendance or venue.