2013 Football Report WEEK 7 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Only Central Washington has been able to slow down Azusa Pacific running back Terrell Watson this fall.

Watson has rushed for 1,217 yards, including 581 yards in his last two games. He’ll bring his GNAC leading 173.9 yards per game average to Ellensburg Saturday when the Cougars  take on the Wildcats with first place in the conference up for grabs.  Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Both teams bring 5-1 conference records and 5-2 overall records into the game.  The winner will take a one-game lead in the GNAC race with three games remaining on the schedule

Western Oregon (4-3, 4-2) is also in the title hunt, trailing the two co-leaders by one game. The Wolves, who host Simon Fraser this Saturday at 1 p.m., play at Azusa Pacific Nov. 2 before hosting the Wildcats on Nov. 9.  This Saturday’s other contest will match Humboldt State and Dixie State at St. George.  Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

Earlier in the season, CWU defeated Azusa Pacific 7-3 at Glendora, Calif., holding Watson to 40 yards.  In his other six games, Watson has averaged 197 rushing yards per game.

CWU’s Jordan Todd had 189 yards in that game and ranks second to Watson in the GNAC, rushing for 887 yards.  Nationally, Todd ranks 16th in rushing.  Since Azusa Pacific is a provisional NCAA member, Watson is not eligible to be ranked in the NCAA national statistics.

Central Washington has one of the best defenses in Division II ranking 11th in rushing defense allowing 86.7 yards per game.  The Wildcats also rank eighth in scoring defense (14.7), 11th in pass efficiency defense (101.5) and 25th in total defense (313.3).

In individual categories, five GNAC players rank in the Top 10 in a category.

Wide receiver Chase Krivashei of Humboldt State ranks fifth in receptions, averaging 8.9 per game.  Dixie State quarterback Griff Robles ranks sixth in total offense (356.9 yards per game).

CWU defensive back Isaiah Davis ranks fourth in interceptions with five in seven games and is one of three defensive players in the Top 10 along with Simon Fraser linebacker Casey Chin and Western Oregon defensive end Kraig Akins.

Chin ranks seventh in total tackles (12.5) and solo tackles (6.8).  Akins ranks sixth in forced fumbles with three in seven games.

GNAC STANDINGS (Conf., overall)
Azusa Pacific … 5-1, 5 2
Central Washington … 5-1, 5-2
Western Oregon … 4-2, 4 3
Simon Fraser … 2-4, 2-4
Dixie State … 2-4, 2-5
Humboldt State … 0-6, 0-7

LAST SATURDAY’S RESULTS: Azusa Pacific 21 at Humboldt State 13; Central Washington 54 at Simon Fraser 14; Western Oregon 46 at Dixie State 34.

THIS WEEK: Azusa Pacific at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Dixie State, 6 p.m.; Simon Fraser at Western Oregon, 1 p.m.

POLLS: AFCA (Oct. 21) – No GNAC team is ranked. D2Football.Com (Oct. 15) – No GNAC team is ranked.

INDIVIDUAL STELLAR GAMES
100-Yard Rushing Games: 6 – Jordan Todd, CWU; Terrell Watson, APU. 3 – Chris Tolbert, SFU. 2 – Griff Robles, DSU; Myles Burton, DSU. 1 – Kyle Morris, HSU; Jamarie Sanders, HSU; Joe Harris, WOU.
200-Yard Passing Games: 7 – Griff Robles, DSU. 6 – Ryan Bergman, WOU. 4 – Kyle Morris, HSU. 3 – Ryan Stanford, SFU. 1 – Spencer Phillips, HSU.
300-Yard Passing Games: 3 – Griff Robles, DSU.2 – Ryan Bergman, WOU. 1 – Kyle Morris, HSU; Ryan Stanford, SFU.
100-Yard Receiving Games: 3 – Joe Don Duncan, DSU; Mitch Frei, DSU; Tyrell Williams, WOU. 2 – Chase Krivashei, HSU; Kelechi Nwadibia, HSU; 1 – Lemar Durant, SFU; Michael Reeve, WOU; Jesse Zalk, CWU; Robert Borcky, SFU.

GNAC RED LION PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offense – Tyrell Williams, Western Oregon (WR, 6-4, 200, Jr., Salem, OR – Cascade) caught five passes for 184 yards, including touchdowns of 74 and 67 yards to lead the Wolves to a 46-34 road victory at Dixie State. Williams broke his own GNAC record for most yards per catch (min. 5 catches) with his 36.8 average. He set the old GNAC record of 32.8 last season, catching six passes for 197 yards in a game against Dixie State.
Defense – Austin Schnizler, Central Washington (DT, 6-3, 266, Sr., San Francisco, CA – St. Ignatius Prep) had three quarterback sacks for losses of 24 yards and he also tackled running back Stephen Spagnuolo in the end zone for a safety to lead the Wildcats to a 54-14 win at Simon Fraser. He finished the contest with five tackles, including four for losses of 25 yards and was also credited with a forced fumble.
Special Teams – Matt Burke, Central Washington (P, 6-0, 192, Sr., Laguna, Hills, CA – Cabrillo) averaged 43.3 yards on three punts and did not allow a return yard as CWU maintained its Top 20 national ranking in punt return defense, allowing just 3.4 yards per return. Burke also tossed a 54-yard TD pass to Deionte Gordon on a fake punt in the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 30-14 lead.
Honorable Mention – Terrell Watson, Azusa Pacific (RB, 6-2, 230, Jr., Oxnard, CA) rushed for 279 yards and scored the game’s clinching touchdown as the Cougars defeated Humboldt State 21-13 and remained tied for first place in the GNAC with Central Washington. Watson scored on a seven-yard run with 8:47 remaining stretching the Cougars’ one-point lead to the final eight-point margin … Jordan Todd, Central Washington (RB, 5-6, 186, So., Bellevue, WA – Interlake) rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, recording his sixth 100-yard game in seven contests. Todd scored in the first quarter on runs of 20 and six yards as the Wildcats bolted to an early 16-0 lead … AJ Hull, Western Oregon (DB, 5-10, 170, Fr., Kenai, AK) had 12 tackles including 11 solos. He also forced a fumble and had a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown … JD Duncan, Dixie State (TE, 6-4, 279, Sr., Corona, CA – Notre Dame/El Camano) caught 14 passes for 170 yards equaling a GNAC season-high for receptions and falling just one catch shy of the GNAC single-game record of 15.

GNAC NEWS
3,000 AND COUNTING: In less than two full seasons in the GNAC, Azusa Pacific’s Terrell Watson has rushed for 2,311 yards to rank sixth in conference history in career rushing yards. The GNAC record is 2,836 by Jason Taroli of Western Oregon between 1997 and 1999 and in 2001. Including 697 yards in his freshman season, Watson now has rushed for 3,008 yards. Saturday’s 279-yard effort against Humboldt State ranks sixth in GNAC history. Last week’s 302-yard performance against Simon Fraser ranks No. 2. His performance earned Watson the D2football.com National Offensive Player of the Week award.
GNAC COMPETES IN SUPER REGIONAL III: The GNAC will compete in Super Regional III this fall for the second year in a row. Also part of the 44-team Super Regional III is the MIAA (Mid-America), the Great American Conference and the Northern Sun. Six teams from each of the four regions qualify for the playoffs. “Earned access” berths are awarded to conferences which have a team ranked in the Top 8 in their region. Six teams from each region qualify for the playoffs. The impact of earned access is that if a team is ranked seventh or eighth, but qualifies for the earned access berth, it would qualify for the playoffs, displacing a team ranked above it in the top six. With only five playoff-eligible members, the GNAC does not currently receive an earned access berth. Azusa Pacific is a provisional NCAA member and is not eligible for the playoffs.

 GAME RECAPS
Western Oregon 46, Dixie State 34 (at St. George): Ryan Bergman passed for more than 400 yards for the second time this season against Dixie State and Western Oregon won a shootout that featured 1,109 yards in total offense before 4,022 fans at Hansen Stadium … WOU never trailed in winning its fourth game in its last five outings. The Wolves led 40-20 midway through the third quarter, but had to fight off a comeback by the Red Storm, who pulled to within six points early in the fourth quarter after back-to-back touchdown passes from Griff Robles to Mitch Frei of 22 and 24 yards … WOU, however, was able to put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive for the clinching touchdown with 2:11 remaining. Devauntee Hoffman got the score on a 10-yard run … Robles completed 38 of 56 passes for a GNAC-season high 460 yards. Tight end Joe Don Duncan had 14 receptions for 170 yards and Frei had seven for 103. Duncan is the third player this fall in the GNAC to have 14 catches in a game … Bergman, who had 417 passing yards against Dixie on Sept. 21, added 407 more on 24 completions in 39 attempts. Wide receiver Tyrell Williams had 184 yards on five reception. He scored on 74 and 67-yard completions … Hoffman was the game’s top rusher, netting 74 yards on 12 carries. He scored twice (on runs of 13 and 10) … Western Oregon finished with a 567-542 advantage in total offense, out-rushing Dixie 160-82 … WOU defensive back AJ Hull, who scored in the second quarter on a 54-yard interception return, led the Wolves in tackles with 12, including 11 solos. He also forced a fumble. Defensive end Kraig Akins also had 12 tackles and linebacker Shane Kuenzi had 11. Defensive lineman William Kanongataa had eight, including 4 ½ for losses of 22 yards … Defensive lineman Jake Miller, DB Zac Christian and linebacker Jake Duncan all had six tackles for the Red Storm. Christian also intercepted two passes.
Central Washington 54, Simon Fraser 14 (at Burnaby): Central Washington, which had scored a grand total of 89 points in its previous five conference games, exploded for 54 points, including 44 in the opening half to cruise to a 40-point win at Terry Fox Field … The Wildcats scored virtually every way possible including twice on rushes and twice on passes. One of the passing touchdowns came off a fake punt. CWU also scored on a punt return, kickoff return, interception, safety and field goal … Running back Jordan Todd scored on runs of 20 and six yards, netting 168 yards – his sixth 100-yard game of the season – on 22 carries … Quarterback Jake Nelson tossed a 21-yard pass to Adam Schechter with 23 seconds left in the opening half. Earlier in the second quarter, punter Matt Burke, who averaged 43.3 yards on three boots, connected with defensive back Deionte Gordon for a 54-yard touchdown pass … Jesse Zalk, Isaiah Davis and Blake Williams-Miller all had returns for touchdowns. Zalk scored on a 75-yard kickoff return in the first quarter, Davis returned a punt 59 yards for a TD in the second quarter and Williams-Miller had a 64-yard interception return for a score in the third period … In all, CWU had a 176-0 advantage in punt and interception return yards, netting 80 yards on four punt returns and 96 yards on four interceptions … The Wildcats also recovered two fumbles, finishing the contest with a plus 5 takeaway advantage (6 to 1) … CWU outgained Simon Fraser 431 to 272 in total offense, including 303-75 rushing … The Clan had 197 passing yards as starting quarterback Ryan Stanford completed 19 of 27 for 158 yards. SFU’s two touchdowns came in the first quarter on passes from Stanford to Robert Borcky (19 yards) and Bobby Pospischil (12 yards). That cut CWU’s lead to 16-14, but Zalk returned the subsequent kickoff 75 yards for a score starting a string of 38 unanswered points …Simon Fraser linebacker Casey Chin had a game-high 14 tackles. Defensive back Stan Langlow led CWU with seven tackles … In addition to Williams-Miller, Davis, Cole Graves and Mitch Haldane had interceptions for CWU and Travis Hayes had a pick for the Clan.
Azusa Pacific 21, Humboldt State 13 (at Arcata, CA): Terrell Watson had a huge second half for the second week in a row to power the Cougars to an eight-point win … Watson gained 199 of his 279 rushing yards after the break and scored the game’s final touchdown with 8:47 left in the fourth quarter. Last week, Watson rushed for 302 yards, 232 in the final period … Humboldt State led 10-7 until late in the third quarter when APU drove 61 yards in nine plays to ago ahead on a six-yard pass from quarterback Dasmen Stewart to Kevin Schick … After a 46-yard field goal by Humboldt’s Matt Bruder cut, the Cougars’ lead to one-point, APU put together a 10-play, 67-yard drive. Watson scored on a seven-yard run to finish off the drive … Humboldt State had two possessions after that, driving to APU’s 33 on the second one before Ethan Danielson sacked Kyle Morris on a fourth down play at the 40-yard line … Morris finished the game with 316 passing yards, completing 27 of 40 passes and was not intercepted. He also netted 26 yards on 11 rushes. Chase Krivashei caught 12 passes for 110 yards … APU rushed for 357 yards in outgaining the Lumberjacks 427 to 378 in total offense. Stewart rushed for 59 yards on nine carries in addition to completing six of nine passes for 70 yards … Safety Tyler Thornton led the Cougar defense with 13 tackles. Linebacker Marcus Mendillo had 10. DB Miguan Johnson had 13 tackles and linebacker Cameron Buell had 10 for Humboldt.

LAST WEEK’S SCORING SUMMARIES
Central Washington 23 21 7 3 — 54
Simon Fraser 14 0 0 0 — 14
CWU – Todd 20 run (McDonald kick)
CWU – Safety, Schnizler tackled Spagnuolo in end zone
CWU – Todd 6 run (McDonald kick)
SFU – Borcky 19 pass from Stanford (Heerspink kick)
SFU – Pospischil 12 pass from Stanford (Heerspink kick)
CWU – Zalk 75 kickoff return (McDonald kick)
CWU – Gordon 54 pass from Burke (McDonald kick)
CWU – Davis 59 punt return (McDonald kick)
CWU – Schechter 21 pass from Nelson (McDonald kick)
CWU – Williams-Miller 64 interception return (McDonald kick)
CWU – McDonald 18 Field Goal

Western Oregon 7 20 13 6 — 46
Dixie State 3 14 10 7 — 34
WOU – Reeve 10 pass from Bergman (Correa kick)
DSU – Bishoff 22 Field Goal
WOU – Hull 54 interception (Correa kick)
DSU – Willard 20 pass from Robles (Bishoff kick)
WOU – Williams 74 pass from Bergman (kick failed)
DSU – Robles 11 run (Bishoff kick)
WOU – DePew 9 pass from Bergman (Correa kick)
WOU – Williams 67 pass from Bergman (Correa kick)
DSU – Bishoff 25 Field Goal
WOU – Hoffman 13 run (kick failed)
DSC – Frei 22 pass from Robles (Bishoff kick)
DSU – Frei 24 pass from Robles (Bishoff kick)
WOU – Hoffman 10 run (pass failed)

Azusa Pacific 0 7 7 7 — 21
Humboldt State 0 7 3 3 — 13
APU – Van Hofwegen 12 pass from Stewart (Cacciatore kick)
HSU – Dhuyvetter 9 pass from Morris (Bruder kick)
HSU – Bruder 21 Field Goal
APU – Schick 6 pass from Stewart (Cacciatore kick)
HSU – Bruder 46 Field Goal
APU – Terrell 7 run (Cacciatore kick)
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GNAC Football Report is written weekly by GNAC Information Director Bob Guptill: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @oldschoolag

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