Week 6: Azusa Pacific (1-3, 1-1 GNAC) vs.
Central Washington (1-4, 0-1 GNAC)
Location – Tomlinson Stadium, Ellensburg, Washington (107 miles SE of Seattle)
Conditions – Game time is 6:00 p.m. PDT. Game time temperature is projected to be 52 degrees, dropping into the mid-40s during the second half, with partly cloudy skies and light winds from the west to northwest. Sunset is scheduled for 6:34 p.m., near the end of the first quarter.
Livestream --
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/cwu (free)
Head Coaches – Azusa Pacific: Victor Santa Cruz (14
th season, 84-63). Central Washington: Chris Fisk (1st season, 1-4)
About Last Week – Two weeks ago, actually, as Azusa Pacific was on their bye week this past Saturday, but the Cougars finally got that elusive first win of 2019 north of the border at Simon Fraser, blowing open a close game with an outstanding rushing effort down the stretch in a 38-12 win over the Clan in Burnaby. Anthony Catalano got the win in his first career start, accounting for 299 yards of total offense and leading five scoring drives. Dante Davis ran for three scores in his best collegiate game to date, and freshman WR Jasaiah Richard Lewis had 104 yards on eight receptions.
Central Washington was deep in the heart of Texas Saturday night, taking on a West Texas A&M side that defeated the Cougars on opening day. The Wildcats got off on the wrong foot, to say the least, as West Texas scored six first-half touchdowns, including one on a blocked punt, to build a 41-10 lead at the half. A furious comeback effort by QB Christian Moore fell short, as the Wildcats fell 48-41. Moore threw for 339 yards and four scores, while RB Michael Roots gained 291 total yards (207 rushing, 84 receiving) in a losing effort.
Cougars’ Defense: – Azusa Pacific’s defense lived up to the old “bend but don’t break” adage against Simon Fraser, allowing 312 yards passing, but pitching a shutout in the second half. Ben Sukut returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown and also recovered a fumble to lead the way defensively. DE Alex Benter forced that fumble and also had his first sack of the season, and he was joined in the sack department by Maeaeafe Alailima. The Cougars forced three turnovers on the day, and also stopped the Clan twice on fourth down in the second half. Sukut has 23 tackles, a sack and two interceptions on the season.
Cougars’ Offense – The Cougars re-established the running game against the Clan, racking up 314 yards on the ground and nearly doubling their total from the first three games this season. In his first career start, junior QB Anthony Catalano ran for 128 yards while throwing for 171 and a touchdown. Catalano leads the team in rushing through four games with 174 yards. Freshman WR Jasaiah Richard-Lewis has become the team’s leading receiver, with 20 receptions already this year for 349 yards and a touchdown, while senior TE Shane Hursh has begun to emerge as a reliable option, with 9 catches 136 yards and two scores.
Central Washington Defense – Junior LB Hamilton Hunt is the leading tackler for CWU with 46 on the season. Traditionally, the number you most have to watch out for in the Wildcats’ defense is #44, which is handed out in practice annually to the player the coaches feel “most exemplifies the standards of a Wildcats defender: dedication, toughness, discipline, and tenacity.” This year’s #44 is senior DB Marcus Schimmelfennig, the first Wildcat in the secondary ever to be given this honor. Up front, the leading generator of pressure against opposing quarterbacks is senior Billy Greer, who has three of the Wildcats’ 11 sacks this season.
Central Washington Offense – Junior RB Michael Roots is the main cog of the Central Washington offense. He has gained at least 99 yards rushing in every game this season, including a season-high 207 yards against West Texas A&M last week. Roots has also caught 8 passes for 145 yards and has 8 total touchdowns on the year (7 rushing, 1 receiving). Canon Racanelli has been the starting quarterback so far this season, but has struggled at times, completing just 44.8% percent of his passes for 847 yards with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Given Moore’s numbers in relief last week, Racanelli may have a shorter leash this time out. Junior WR Tony Archie has been the leading receiver for the Wildcats with 24 catches this year, and is coming off a 6-reception, 76-yard effort with 2 scores against the Buffaloes.
History – This is the 18
th meeting all-time in this particular cat fight. The Wildcats lead the series 10-7, the only team in the GNAC with a winning record all-time against the Cougars. At Central Washington, the series is tied 4-4, with one of those wins taking place in nearby Bothell, WA, in 2012 when the Wildcats moved their early home games due to fires.
Last Meeting – Azusa Pacific 42, Central Washington 35 (November 10, 2018, Ellensburg, WA) – The Cougars overcame a slow start, scoring a touchdown on five consecutive possessions in the second half to rally and claim their fourth GNAC title in six seasons. Tyrone Williams had a career day, completing 26 of 33 passes for 425 yards and 5 second-half touchdowns. Gaige Allen caught 5 of those passes for 153 yards and a pair of scores in the 4
th quarter, including the 39-yard game-winner with 1:21 remaining, propelling the Cougars into the NCAA postseason for only the second time.
Up Next – The Cougars finally return to California to open up a three-game home stand against Simon Fraser, while Central Washington will travel south for a visit to their long-time rival Western Oregon.
GNAC Schedule for Week 4 (all times Pacific):
Western Oregon at Texas A&M-Kingsville (5:00 p.m.)
Azusa Pacific at Central Washington (6:00 p.m.)
Simon Fraser at Dixie State (UT) (6:00 p.m.)
GNAC Standings through Week 5
- Western Oregon (3-2, 3-0)
- Azusa Pacific (1-3, 1-1)
- Central Washington (1-4, 0-1)
- Simon Fraser (0-5, 0-2)
