ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington Wildcat football team (1-2) took down the defending Lone Star Conference champions, the Angelo State Rams (1-2) in a thrilling 27-24 victory.
 
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"I'm really proud of our kids, coaches, and all of the fans that came out to support us," Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said. "We couldn't have done it without the support of the student section who were electric tonight!"
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Wildcats used a long methodical opening possession to strike first as Kennedy McGill found Tyler Flanagan for a nine-yard touchdown pass with 9:18 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats would shut out the Rams in the first quarter 7-0.
 
The Rams got on the board at the 11:15 mark with a 31-yard field goal making it a 7-3 lead for the 'Cats. A fumble by the Wildcats at their own 30-yard line set ASU up to nab the lead with a touchdown, making it 10-7. Tanner Volk intercepted the ball at the ASU 45-yard line and returned it all the way to the Rams 30-yard line to help the Wildcats set up a game-tying 25-yard field goal by Josh Jones to enter halftime tied at 10 apiece.
 
The second half was the start of the Wildcats special team's party. The Rams started with the ball at their own 12 only making it to their own 17-yard line forcing a punt that would be blocked by Johnny Navarro and recovered by Patrick Rogers in the endzone for a Wildcat touchdown at the 13:09 mark of the third quarter, putting CWU up 17-10.
 
The Wildcats would force a three and out on the Rams offense on the ensuing possession giving the Wildcats the ball back. The Wildcats would march from their own 29-yard line to the ASU 29-yard line setting up a 46-yard field goal attempt by Jones, only to have it blocked by ASU. Each team would trade possessions without scores, but a punt by Dan Stewart that was muffed by the returner for the Rams allowed Tyler Flanagan to pounce on the ball giving the 'Cats the ball back on the Angelo 30-yard line. Jones would convert a 46-yard field goal to give the 'Cats the 20-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Each team would trade a scoreless possession to start the fourth quarter, with the Rams entering hurry-up offense mode. The Rams were marching down the field on their second possession of the quarter before a second Tanner Volk interception at the CWU 22-yard line was brought to the house for a 27-10 Wildcat lead.
 
The Rams would respond quickly marching down the field for a quick touchdown making it a 10-point game, 27-17 in favor of the crimson and black. The Rams would then force the Wildcats into a quick three and out giving the ball back to ASU. Once again the Rams would march down the field in their hurry-up offense nabbing another touchdown making it a 27-24 game in favor of CWU with just over three minutes left.
 
Angelo State set themselves up by forcing CWU into another three and out with just under two minutes left in the game and getting the ball back at their own 33-yard line. Once more, the Rams made quick work of moving the ball down the field finding themselves at the CWU 14-yard line. The Wildcat defense showed up sacking the Angelo State quarterback for five-yards before applying so much pressure that the Rams quarterback couldn't find a target nearby and received an intentional grounding penalty, setting up a fourth down and 33-yards to go situation for the blue and gold with 20 seconds left. The Wildcats called a timeout before a 54-yard field goal attempt by the Rams was blocked by Rogers and recovered by Jaylen Clay to secure the victory for the Wildcats.
 
JJ Lemming led the 'Cats in the air completing seven of 16 pass attempts for 80-yards. McGill completed two of his three pass attempts for 22-yards and one touchdown. Tyler Flanagan pounded the ball for CWU, leading the 'Cats with 70-yards on 17 attempts. McGill also flashed his athleticism with 41-yards on nine attempts while Tre'jon Henderson had nine rushes for 34-yards. Darius Morrison led the receiving group for CWU with three receptions for 36-yards.
 
The Wildcat defense had themselves a field day led by Rogers and Volk with 14 and 13 tackles, respectively, with eight of Rogers tackles coming solo. Brett Accimus and Dominic Wieburg added on seven and six tackles, respectively. Eight different Wildcats had at least 0.5 tackle for loss, led by Accimus, Volk, and Brett McCalla with 1.5 tackles for loss. Accimus and Bridger Feldmann each had a sack for the Wildcats. Tanner Volk had two interceptions, while Rogers and LaMarq Patterosn each had a pass breakup. Rogers and Navarro each tallied one blocked kick while Dajshon Deams, Josiah Cochran, and Chase Loidhamer each had a quarterback hurry to their name on the night.
 
Stewart finished the night with six punts and 268 yards, while Jones went two for three on field goal attempts with his longest of 46-yards. Jones also went three for three in point after touchdown attempts. Jackson McCann had four kickoff returns for 72 yards.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Wildcats will turn into road warriors as they are on the road the next two weeks with their first stop being Monmouth, Ore. for a revenge showdown with the Wolves of Western Oregon (1-2) on Saturday, September 23 at 1:05 p.m.