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Central Washington University Athletics

Timothy Timoteo
Shayden Hoopai-Waikoloa
14
Colorado Mesa CMU 0-1 , 0-0
41
Winner Central Washington CWU 1-0 , 0-0
Colorado Mesa CMU
0-1 , 0-0
14
Final
41
Central Washington CWU
1-0 , 0-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
CMU Colorado Mesa 0 0 7 7 14
CWU Central Washington 7 0 20 14 41

Game Recap: Football |

Wildcats Wrangle Mavericks in Season-Opening Rodeo Bowl Victory

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University Football Team (1-0) used a big third quarter to break free from the Colorado Mesa Mavericks (0-1) to earn a 41-14 Rodeo Bowl victory Thursday afternoon.
 
QUOTING CWU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CHRIS FISK
 
"We are very excited to get a victory in the reboot of the rodeo bowl. We are excited about the potential of this team and can't wait to get back to work to fix our issues. We are very proud of the way the kids represented the university and alumni today!"
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
  • The Mavericks started out with the ball making their way past the 50 into CWU's side of the field, but a tackle for loss by Brett McCalla followed by a combination sack by Brycen Indell and Mikaio Edward forced fourth and 17 and the Mavs to punt.
  • It took four plays for the Wildcats to put the first numbers on the board as Kennedy McGill found a wide-open Jalen Grable for the first NCAA Division II touchdown of the 2025 season, coming in at 51 yards and with Wyatt Redding kicking the ball through the uprights, the 'Cats led 7-0.
  • Both teams exchanged a pair of punts to end the first quarter with the 'Cat sup 7-0.
  • The Mavericks marched down the field finding a rhythm in the air before a tackle for loss by Javonte Walker and Jalen Webber, a pass breakup by Chase Coalson, and a key stop by Chris Dodson forced CMU to attempt a 38-yard field goal that went wide left, keeping it at 7-0, CWU.
  • McGill found a stride on the 'Cats next possession picking up a quick 13-yard gain on the ground before finding Logan Brady for 28 yards, however that stride was quickly stopped when Lane Branstetter intercepted McGill bringing it back to the CWU side of the field.
  • Colorado Mesa quarterback Liu Aumavae was immediately sacked by Edward to drop them back on their own side of the field and couldn't make anything happen resulting in a 53-yard field goal attempt that went wide right sending the teams to halftime with CWU on top 7-0.
  • Beau Phillips started out the second half with a quick 20 yards, then McGill followed it up with a huge 41-yard rush to make it to the Colorado Mesa 14-yard line, then three plays later McGill completed the final 14 yards for a touchdown and with Wildcat newcomer David Weber completing the PAT the crimson and black took the 14-0 lead.
  • CMU came roaring back, marching down the field with a pair of big receptions to see Aumavae find Alex Turpin for a six-yard touchdown to cut it to a 14-7 CWU lead.
  • Justice Taylor started the 'Cats next drive with a big 18 yards and McGill closed it out finding a wide open Mason Juergens for a 55-yard touchdown and paired with Weber successfully kicking the PAT, the 'Cats took the 21-7 lead.
  • The Mavericks started their next drive at their own 15-yard line and two plays later McCalla intercepted Aumavae and ran it back for a pick-six but Kade Street blocked the PAT attempt to make it 27-7 in favor of CWU.
  • The Wildcat defense stiffened up forcing a three and out giving the ball back to the 'Cats.
  • McGill, Phillips, and Taylor found a groove on the ground with McGill finding Snider for a quick eight-yard gain in the middle to set the 'Cats up at the CMU 29-yard line to end the third quarter.
  • One play was all McGill needed, running it the final 23 yards for a touchdown and with Weber converting the PAT, increased the lead to 34-7.
  • The Mavericks quickly marched down the field as new CMU quarterback Cole Hansen found Trek Keyworth for a 66 yard touchdown to make it 34-14 CWU.
  • The 'Cats put the exclamation point on the game as Ryder Bumgarner maneuvered down the field on the ground with McGill finding Camden Loidhamer for a 24-yard reception in the middle as Bumgarner punched in the ball for a nine-yard touchdown with Weber converting the PAT making it 41-14 CWU.
  • The 'Cats defense held strong for two more possessions as CWU cruised to the 41-14 Rodeo Bowl victory and for the first recorded victory of the season in the entire NCAA Division II.
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 
  • McGill finished the game as the top passer and the top rusher, going 8/13 on passes for 190 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception adding 13 rushes for 135 yards and two rush touchdowns.
  • Caleb Christensen went one for one on passes for 34 yards.
  • Bumgarner had five rushes for 52 yards and one touchdown while Phillips and Taylor added 45 and 34 rushing yards both on seven attempts, respectively. Ki'Marree Washington added 20 yards on five attempts and Bo Gionet had six yards on two attempts.
  • Juergens led the receiving corps with 75 yards and one touchdown on two receptions. Grable added 51 yards and one touchdown. Samaje Featherstone had one reception for 34 yards while Logan Brady had two receptions for a total of 24 yards and Camden Loidhamer and Ty Snider finished with 24 and 14 receiving yards, respectfully.
  • Defensively, the 'Cats were led by Chase Coalson who had 10 tackles and two pass breakups. King Williams added nine tackles, a half tackle for loss, and a pass breakup while Tyler King and Edward each logged six tackles with King adding one tackle for loss and Edward adding 1.5 sacks.
  • Brett McCalla had five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interceptions while Jalen Owens and Logan Lisherness added four tackles and one tackle for loss each. Indell and Webber each had four tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss with Indell's coming as a sack. Kuma Scanlan added four tackles and one tackle for loss while Javonte Walker finished with three tackles and a half tackle for loss.
  • Zeke Stefano added two tackles while Zay Jennings, Dodson, Michael Westbrook Jr., Chase Loidhamer, Timothy Timoteo, Matulino Masunu, and Labarrio Mays II all added a tackle with Westbrook Jr. adding one breakup, Loidhamer adding two pass breakups and one quarterback hurry, Timoteo and Mays II added a half tackle for loss and Masunu added a tackle for loss.
  • Redding had three punts for a total of 114 yards and added seven kickoffs for a total of 451 yards. Redding was 1/1 on PAT attempts while Weber was 4/5 on attempts. Phillips had two kickoff returns for 45 yards.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Wildcats will now look towards a big challenge as they await the ninth-ranked FCS team, the Montana Grizzlies (0-0). The Wildcats will travel to Missoula, Mont. on Saturday, September 6 for a 5:00 p.m. PST kickoff from inside Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
 
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