On Oct. 11, the Central Washington University (CWU) Wildcats beat University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) Falcons in a tight 27-14 matchup. The Wildcats entered the day as underdogs, sitting at No. 13 ranked on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll while the Falcons were holding No. 6 spot. Thanks to the Wildcats run game and a defensive turnover in the final minute, CWU beat out UTPB and propelled themselves to the top spot of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) with a 5-0 record against LSC teams.
Before kickoff, the matchup already had major implications with both teams entering the game at 3-0 in the LSC, with the winner taking the top spot. For Head Coach Chris Fisk, the records didn’t matter. “Whether it’s an FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) team, a team that hasn’t won a game, or a team that’s undefeated like last week, it’s the same process every week,” Fisk said.
Despite CWU going into the game with the highest scoring offense in the LSC, they were facing the toughest defense, as UTPB was allowing the fewest amount of points per game. The CWU offense wasn’t alone in their matchup however, as UTPB’s offense, ranked third in the LSC entering Ratliff Stadium on Saturday, was facing the next best defense in the Wildcats.
In the last minute of the contest, UTPB’s defense was able to hold off CWU to a field goal to make the score 20-14 in favor of CWU, keeping the lead within one score to keep UTPB in the game. UTPB’s offense got the ball on their own eight yard line with only 38 seconds to go down the field and score a touchdown to win. After pressure from Defensive End Tyler King, the Wildcats almost sealed the win as Defensive Back King Williams and a UTPB receiver fought for possession of an underthrown ball only for the pass to end up incomplete. With 29 seconds left on the clock, UTPB tried for a pass down the middle of the field, only for the route to be jumped and intercepted by Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Back Javonte Walker for his second interception of the season. The defense immediately adapted, setting up blocks for Walker to take the interception to the endzone for a touchdown, sealing the upset win for the ‘Cats.
Walker spoke on his defensive touchdown, “Knowing where we’re at, where they’re at… [UTPB Quarterback] just ended up taking his shot to the post… I just undercut it, and I saw an open lane. Seeing my D line blocking, seeing my linebacker blocking the quarterback, it was just all great.” With the game-ending interception return, along with three total tackles, Walker was given LSC Defensive Player of the Week honors on Oct. 13.
The defensive slugfest that was promised was delivered in spades, as both teams left the game with their second lowest scores of the year. In the first half, only 10 points were scored between the two teams, seven going to UTPB and CWU hitting a field goal in the draining seconds of the first half.
While junior quarterback Kennedy McGill struggled passing the ball in the air, completing only 38.9% of his passes and hitting 70 yards passing (lowest of the season), the team found success on the ground as McGill found 81 yards rushing along with a touchdown and his junior teammate, Running Back Justice Taylor, hit the century mark (100) on rushing yards and also found the endzone for the team’s first touchdown on the day.
Despite CWU holding the sixth best passing defense against UTPB’s third best passing offense, Defensive End Chase Loidhammer along with the Wildcat’s secondary held off the opposing passing attack, leading to UTPB’s Quarterback’s worst completion percentage on the year.
While the rushing juggernaut that is CWU outpaced UTPB on the ground 238 yards to 50, UTPB won the air battle with 270 yards to CWU’s 70. Overall, CWU had eight more total yards than UTPB’s offense.
CWU now holds the top spot of the LSC, boasting an overall 6-1 record and an undefeated 5-0 record against LSC teams. Head Coach Fisk and his team don’t feel any pressure with their record going into a new week. “One of the things we talk about is every 24 hours, the world turns over on the man on top,” Fisk said. “And if you’re not prepared to stay on top, then pretty soon you’ll be at the bottom.”
After the upset win against the Falcons on the road, the Wildcats jumped up the AFCA poll three spots to No. 10 while the Falcons fell to CWU’s old spot, No. 13. The Wildcats look to return home to a standing ovation, as the Wildcats take on Texas A&M – Kingsville at Tomlinson Stadium for their annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m..
