ARCATA, Calif. -- Despite several first-half miscues, Azusa Pacific kept things interesting against No. 11-ranked Humboldt State before the Lumberjacks pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 34-16 win over the Cougars Saturday night at the Redwood Bowl.
Humboldt State was carried offensively by the legs of sophomore RB Ja'Quan Gardner, who rushed 36 times for a school-record 305 yards and three TDs. Gardner set the tone from the outset, chewing up all 76 yards on the ground of the Lumberjacks' opening drive, including a 55-yard dash to the end zone to open up the scoring.
A missed field goal and back-to-back interceptions cost the Azusa Pacific offense several first-half scoring opportunities, and Humboldt State capitalized with two more touchdowns, first a six-yard Gardner rush and then a 66-yard Chase Krivashei reception, to extend its lead to 20-0 with 11:06 left in the second quarter.
A 30-yard field goal as time expired in the first half cut the halftime lead to 20-3, and a 50-yardTarik Myles punt return set up the Azusa Pacific offense for a 20-yard scoring drive midway through the third quarter to cut the HSU lead to 20-9. Sophomore QB Chad Jeffries kept for a three-yard TD run to finish off the scoring drive, but the next Cougar possession resulted in a turnover on downs deep in Humboldt State territory.
Gardner took a three-yard loss on a pass reception after the Lumberjacks took over, but he rushed seven consecutive times for 67 yards and capped the scoring drive with a 14-yard TD, his third score of the game, as HSU pushed the lead to 27-9 with 7:45 to play. The teams traded touchdowns in the final five minutes of play for the final 34-16 margin.
Jeffries was Azusa Pacific's rushing leader, carrying 22 times for 90 yards, and he completed 15-of-34 passes for 183 yards although he was held without a TD pass and threw two interceptions. Ethan Zeidler finished with game-highs of seven receptions for 113 yards, and redshirt freshman Kurt Scoby was held to 84 rushing yards on 18 carries, which snapped his three-game streak of rushing for at least 150 yards.
COUGARS' UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, Oct. 17, 6:30 pm vs. Dixie State (non-conference)
Saturday, Oct. 24, 6:00 pm vs. South Dakota Mines (Homecoming)
Saturday, Oct. 31, 1:00 pm at Western Oregon