CWU students and alumni packed the stands of Tomlinson Stadium for the first home game of the young 2024 football season. The Wildcats defeated Western New Mexico University (WNMU) in a one sided 36-0 victory, pushing their record to 3-1. Sept. 28 broke the streak of eight straight road games for the Wildcats and meant they were finally back to perform for the Wildcat faithful.
Assistant Coach Ben Wolters spoke on how excited he was to see Tomlinson Stadium be filled up with crimson. “This is my first year here so I am excited to experience this. Having the fans backing us is huge. Having the tailgates going and the crowd coming in here ready to go is awesome. We are excited for game day.” Wolters said. Before the game regarding the final score, Wolters had this to say. “Cats Big.”
Football environment was back in Ellensburg as trailers filled the parking lots outside the field, music blasting, food being cooked and games being played. Fans like senior business major Nathan Long were thrilled to be back cheering on the team they come out to support so consistently.
“I love it here, we are always out here about six hours before the game cooking up some food, getting ready to go out there every year and watch these Wildcats just get better and better.” Long said.
The Alumni section, located behind the north end zone, was filled for the home opener too. Many alumni talked about how some of their best memories at CWU came from meeting people at games like this.
Lindsey Decker, a 2010 alum, spoke about the attachment she has to the Wildcats. “Being an alumni, I love bringing my kids here, having the family experience. We love coming here all the time.” Decker said. ”It is just such a great atmosphere and to interact with all the people here is awesome.”
Coming off a 45-3 victory against West Texas A&M, the Cats came into their home matchup with momentum on their side and it seems to have stayed with them. With their victory on Saturday, Central has now won their home opener in four of the last five seasons showing the importance of the crowd behind the team. There were only four home games played at Tomlinson Stadium last season with three out of the four games being taken by the Wildcats.
The offensive end is led by 6’0 200-pound junior running back Tyler Flanagan. He was chosen as the 2024 preseason Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), and he is showing why he earned that right with 3 touchdowns in the victory against West Texas A&M and another this past weekend.
Flanagan spoke on the feelings of finally having a game back at the Wildcats home field. “I’m really excited, it’s been almost a year since we had a home game.” Flanagan said. “To put on a show for the fans, we need to start fast and play with a lot of energy.”
Putting on a show is what they did and by his side in the backfield was 6’0 200-pound sophomore quarterback Kennedy McGill. The dual threat quarterback started seven games last season and is now in his first season as the full time starter. The offense was firing on all cylinders as McGill scored 3 touchdowns against WNMU with two passing and one rushing.
Looking to the future, CWU will be on the road next week traveling to Eastern New Mexico looking to complete the Lone Star Conference New Mexico Sweep. Next home game will be Oct. 12 to take on UT Permian Basin.
