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Central Washington University Athletics

WCU Celly
Jacob Thompson
16
Winner Central Wash. CWU 8-3 , 7-1
13
Western Colo. WCU 10-2 , 7-1
Winner
Central Wash. CWU
8-3 , 7-1
16
Final
13
Western Colo. WCU
10-2 , 7-1
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
CWU Central Wash. 0 0 0 10 6 16
WCU Western Colo. 0 3 0 7 3 13

Game Recap: Football |

Wildcats Win Overtime Thriller Over Western Colorado for First NCAA Playoff Victory Since 2009

GUNNISON, Colo. – The Central Washington Wildcat football team (8-3) traveled to The Centennial State Saturday afternoon to open the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs with the Wildcats defeating the second-seeded Western Colorado Mountaineers (10-2) 16-13 in an overtime thriller. 
 
QUOTABLE
 
"It feels amazing," CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said. "We've been working so hard for this for so long. We've had some opportunities in the playoffs and fell short, and the way we overcame it feels amazing. It's that respect level that our kids are searching for, nationally, and within our conference. It was great to be able to represent the Lone Star Conference, and to be able to go get a win." 
 
"We pride ourselves on these kind of ball games," CWU redshirt junior wide receiver Darius Morrison said. "There's no other way to win a game for Central at least, than to do it like that. We pride ourselves on the fourth quarter and coming down the stretch, we know when we're in those games we're always going to come out on top." 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
  • The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair as neither team was able to break the scoreless tie after one. 
  • The Mountaineers intercepted Kennedy McGill early in the second quarter and used the favorable field position to set up and convert the 31-yard field goal to put WCU up 3-0 with 11:52 left in the second quarter. 
  • Neither team could find an offensive rhythm the rest of the half seeing the halftime score of Western Colorado 3, Central Washington 0.
  • On the first drive of the second half for the Mountaineers, Tanner Volk recorded his 12th interception of the season. 
  • Unfortunately, the Wildcats couldn't convert on the turnover, as neither team found the endzone in the third, keeping the score 3-0 in favor of Western Colorado. 
  • The first play of the fourth quarter was a failed fourth down attempt by the Mountaineers, giving the Wildcats the ball at CWUs 23-yard line. 
  • McGill connected with Kaiden Hammond for a big 36-yard gain to make it to the Mountaineer side of the field. 
  • Cam Daniels added four yards to set up McGill for the 37-yard touchdown pass to Darius Morrison. 
  • Josh Jones added the point after touchdown to put the 'Cats out in front 7-3. 
  • Later in the fourth quarter, the Mountaineers marched down the field to retake the lead 10-7 with 5:47 left in the game. 
  • The Mountaineers forced the Wildcats into a three and out, in which the Wildcats responded with a three and out of their own to give the 'Cats the ball back with 3:06 left in the game. 
  • McGill connected with DeMonte Horton for a 10-yard reception and the first down, followed by a reception to Zach Matlock for six yards. 
  • Daniels tacked on a 17-yard rush to put CWU on the Mountaineer side of the field once again. 
  • Facing fourth and 10, McGill found Matlock for a big 13-yard gain that was followed by McGill finding Daniel Johnson and Horton once again for 12 and 11-yard receptions to find CWU at the 11-yard line of the Mountaineers.
  • Jones connected on the 28-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 apiece and force overtime. 
  • The Wildcat defense only allowed the Mountaineer offense one yard to force the 41-yard field goal attempt which was good but kept the Wildcats season alive. 
  • CWU made the most of it even after a five-yard penalty on the 'Cats as McGill connected once again with Morrison in the endzone for the 30-yard touchdown reception and the 16-13 crimson and black victory. 
 
STATS FROM THE GAME
 
  • McGill finished the game completing 24 of his 47 passing attempts for 277 yards, two touchdown, and one interception. He also added on 13 rushing yards. 
  • Daniels led the rushing attack for the Wildcats accumulating 81 rushing yards. 
  • Morrison had a monster game racking up 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 
  • Horton finished the game with 49 receiving yards while Matlock added on 47 with Hammond recording 36 yards and Johnson having 16 yards. 
  • Brett McCalla led the Wildcats on defense with 10 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss. 
  • Brett Accimus and Volk each had eight tackles in the game with Accimus also having 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup while Volk had one tackle for loss and his 12th interception of the season. 
  • Isaac Clark added on seven tackles and a quarterback hurry while Patrick Rogers had five tackles and a pass breakup. 
  • Josiah Cochran recorded one of his two tackles as a sack. 
  • Dan Stewart finished the game recording seven punts for 282 yards and an average of 40.3 yards per punt with two landing within the Mountaineers 20-yard line and one going for over 50-yards. 
  • Josh Jones had the game-tying field goal of 28-yards as his only field goal attempt but also made his sole point after touchdown attempt on the day and had three kickoffs for 119 yards. 
 
UP NEXT
 
  • The Wildcats will move onto the second round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs and will face the Bemidji State Beavers (9-2) next Saturday, November 25th, with the host to be determined. The Beavers defeated UTPB in the first round 10-3 on the road. 
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