One week after squandering a golden opportunity against a Lone Star Conference power, Central Washington gets a second chance when the Wildcats host No. 11 Midwestern State on Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
A week ago the Wildcats struggled to move the ball and a late touchdown by Angelo State sent Central to a 14-9 defeat before a crowd of nearly 4,000 fans.
 
This week, the Wildcats have an even tougher challenge as the undefeated Mustangs (4-0) visit Ellensburg.
 
Previewing Midwestern State
The Mustangs enter Saturday's game fresh from a 31-24 overtime win at Eastern New Mexico last week. The Mustangs survived three turnovers to remain undefeated.
 
The week before, Midwestern defeated Angelo State, 35-17.
 
The Mustangs come into the weekend averaging better than 36 points per game. As a team, Midwestern is averaging 410 yards of total offense, including just over 270 yards passing. Quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole completes 59 percent of his passes for 1,067 yards and 13 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions.
 
Defensively, MSU has forced 17 turnovers, including 13 fumbles.
 
The Mustangs were picked to finish third in the Lone Star Conference.
 
Last Week
It was their first home game in 686 days, but all the pregame excitement couldn't carry the Central Washington Wildcats to victory.
 
Angelo State's Nathaniel Omayebu scored from one yard out with 48 seconds to play, lifting Angelo State to a 14-9 win, Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium.
 
Central Washington (2-2) struggled on the offensive side of things, gaining just 202 yards. Running back Rashaad Boddie ran for 104 yards but needed 32 carries. CWU passed for just 114 yards as quarterback JJ Lemming was 9 of 32 passing.
 
The Wildcats relied on three Patrick Hegarty field goals for offense, as the junior connected from 21, 29 and 40 yards out.

Senior linebacker Donte Hamilton enjoyed one of the finest games of his career with 9 tackles, two sacks and a pair of breakups. The defense recorded five sacks overall, with Daeon Hudson, Matulino Masunu and Fred Feleti joining in on the act. 
 
Extra Special Teams
Central's Special Teams units have been more than doing their job through the season's first four games. And never was the more evident than last Saturday against Angelo State.
 
Officially, the Wildcats blocked only one punt. But they tipped two others and snuffed out a fake punt attempt in the second quarter.
 
Kicker Patrick Hegarty made three field goals and punter Van Soderberg punted seven times for an average of 37.3 yards per punt. Just one of those punts were returned, for minus-2 yards.
 
"It's been a unit that, against Division II opponents, we've been pretty good," CWU head coach Chris Fisk said. "We've put a lot of pressure on punt teams. They tried a punt fake and we covered it up well. We spend a lot of time on special teams and take it very seriously here. It's not a surprise to us that we've become a very competent special teams unit."
 
Quoting Head Coach Chris Fisk
"The postseason starts this week. We're in the playoffs right now. If we want to be considered in that group of elite programs we can't lose again. Every week is a one-week season. That's what makes football special. In college football you're in a Wild Card race from pretty much Week 3 on. We're on the chopping block and we have to play like our season is on the line, because it is."
 
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.