Box Score ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The 10th-ranked Central Washington University Football Team (6-1, 5-0 LSC) escaped a gritty Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas team (3-4, 2-3 LSC) for a Homecoming clash during a rainy Saturday evening by a 24-21 score.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead after the defense forced a three and out on the opening possession. The combination play of Justice Taylor on the ground and Kennedy McGill to Jalen Grable and Samaje Featherstone set the 'Cats up at the TAMU-K 27-yard line where a trick play saw Grable run it in the 27 yards for the first score. David Weber's PAT made it a 7-0 game with 9:01 left in the first quarter.
• The Javelinas quickly responded maneuvering their way down the field thanks to a pair of big catches by King Phillips and assisted by a Wildcat penalty which helped see Jack Turner connect with Phillips once again for a 25-yard touchdown and with Angel Lopez's PAT, tied the game at seven apiece with 6:59 left in the first quarter.
• Both defenses stiffened up, forcing a pair of punts before the conclusion of the first quarter with the game knotted up at seven apiece.
• Defenses opened the second quarter with big plays after the TAMU-K defense stood pat at midfield before their offense once again saw big gains both on the ground and in the air and were assisted by another big penalty on the 'Cats, but a third and seven at the 'Cats own 27-yard line saw Turner get sacked by Logan Lisherness for a loss of eight yards forcing the Javelinas to punt.
• Big plays on defense remained the trend for the rest of the first half, wrapped up by a deep shot from Turner into the endzone being broken up by Mika Roberson to send the teams to the half break still tied at seven.
• The 'Cats offense couldn't find much of a groove following a 74-yard kickoff return from Featherstone, but Weber came in clutch and gave the 'Cats the lead with a 39-yard field goal, making it 10-7 in favor of the crimson and black with 13:01 left in the third.
• Texas A&M-Kingsville responded with big play after big play quickly landing in the 'Cats redzone where Edward Chumley pushed it in for the one-yard touchdown and with the Lopez PAT saw the Javelinas jump out to a 14-10 lead with 11:09 left in the third.
• McGill immediately connected to Ryder Bumgarner and Jalen Grable for a big first down and forcing TAMU-K to call a timeout to stop the momentum. Following the timeout McGill once again connected with Grable, this time for five yards after which the crimson and black ground game got going with big rushes from Bumgarner, McGill, and Taylor that got the 'Cats all the way to the TAMU-K six-yard line. An endzone shot on third down saw Grable draw a pass interference penalty on the Javelinas giving the 'Cats a fresh first down and one play was all it took as McGill found Andrew Molloy for the two-yard touchdown. Weber successfully kicked the PAT and gave the 'Cats the 17-14 lead with 3:38 left in the third.
• A huge three and out by the 'Cat defense gave the ball back to the offense and pairs of gains on the ground by McGill and Taylor ended the third with the 'Cats on top 17-14 and with the ball in Javelina territory.
• Taylor and McGill continued the ground onslaught with McGill successfully running in an 18-yard touchdown, breaking multiple tackles in the process, and with Weber's successful PAT, made it a 24-14 game with 11:49 left in the game.
• With the rain coming down at a steady pace, the Javelinas hesitated to throw the ball at first, quickly gaining six yards, but then turned back to the air finding success and with another pass interference penalty on the 'Cats, quickly found themselves in the CWU redzone. Turner found Phillips in the endzone for his second touchdown on the night, this time for five yards and with a successful Lopez PAT, made it a 24-21 score in favor of the 'Cats with 9:06 left.
• The 'Cats ran the ball to run down the clock as Bumgarner found success with a 20 and a 26 yard gain, respectfully, however the Javelina defense stiffened up in the redzone and force the 'Cats to attempt a 23-yard field goal that sailed wide left to keep it 24-21 with 2:20 left in the game.
• Turner found a wide open Christian Kretz for a 14-yard gain and a first down on the second play of the drive, however an overthrown shot and back-to-back-to-back huge pass breakups by Roberson, Lisherness, and Javonte Walker forced the turnover on downs and gave the 'Cats the ball back with 1:39 left.
• Three kneel downs was all that was needed as the 'Cats escaped with the 24-21 Homecoming victory.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• McGill finished the game completing 11/19 passes for 106 yards and one touchdown. He led the ground game as well with 107 yards and one touchdown.
• Bumgarner added 81 yards on the ground while Taylor added 62 himself and Grable tacked on 27 yards and one touchdown.
• Grable was the leader in the receivers with five catches for 52 yards.
• Brett McCalla paced the defense with nine tackles, adding a 0.5 tackle for loss and a pass breakup.
• Chase Coalson added six tackles while Jalen Owens tacked on four tackles and a pass breakup.
• Lisherness had four tackles, a sack, and a pass breakup with Matulino Masunu adding three tackles and a sack of his own as well as a quarterback hurry.
• Walker, King Williams, and Jalen Webber each had three tackles with Walker and Williams both adding two pass breakups.
• Brogan De'Asis had two tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup while Tyler King added two tackles and a 0.5 tackle for loss and Roberson tacked on one tackle, one interception, and three pass breakups.
• Wyatt Redding added one tackle and punted four times for 161 yards with three landing in the Javelina 20-yard line. He also added five kickoffs for 314 yards.
• Weber was a perfect 3/3 on PAT attempts but was 1/2 on field goal attempts with his success coming from 39 yards out.
• Featherstone added two punt returns for 105 yards.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The 'Cats will head back on the road, this time traveling to Wichita Falls, Texas to face the Mustangs of Midwestern State (2-5, 2-3 LSC). The 'Cats and 'Stangs clash on Saturday, October 25 at 5:00 p.m. PST from Memorial Stadium.