Wildcats continue win streak with victory over Eastern New Mexico
- Story byColumbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, Wash.
- Wildcats continue win streak with victory over Eastern New Mexico
Nov. 6—ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats (7-2) are on a seven-game win streak after a 49-20 road win over Eastern New Mexico (0-9) Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats look to continue their dominant season as they host their final home game of the regular season this weekend.
"I'm proud of our team for going on the road and getting another conference road win," said CWU Head Coach Scott Power in a statement from Wildcats Athletics. "I thought we handled the trip and the environment well. We are excited to get back home and continue conference play next week against Western New Mexico."
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According to a press release from Eastern New Mexico Athletics, the Greyhounds opened the contest with a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown pass from Clifton Cooper to Xavier Johnson. Though the Wildcats' Isaiah Paul blocked the PAT, the Greyhounds held an early 6-0 advantage.
CWU responded on their first possession as Ryder Bumgarner and Antoine Lee powered their way down the field with an assist from a connection from Justin Brennan to Samaje Featherstone for 18 yards. Bumgarner found the endzone on a two-yard touchdown and the Wildcats took the lead 7-6 with a successful PAT from David Weber late in the first quarter.
The Wildcats started to build momentum as the game went into the second quarter with their defense putting stops to New Mexico's offensive attempts. With 13:09 left in the second quarter, Central scored with a deep 25-yard connection from Brennan to AJ Perez to increase their lead 14-6.
After another defensive stop, CWU's offense took to the field and Bumgarner made back-to-back eight-yard rushes before connecting with Perez for 55-yards. This set up Bumgarner for a five-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats up 21-6 with 7:04 left in the second.
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Washington held New Mexico scoreless to maintain their substantial lead by halftime.
Central Washington showed no sign of slowing down after halftime as Bumgarner and Lee pushed down the field to set up Brennan to find Mason Juergens for an 18-yard touchdown to put the score at 28-6. ENMU responded on their first possession of the half as they made a push down field to set up a 15-yard touchdown to cut the game to 28-13 with 9:03 left in the third.
This was immediately followed by another strong drive on the ground from Bumgarner which allowed Brennan to connect with Juergens for a 26-yard gain. Juergens scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass to put CWU up 35-13 late in the third.
The Wildcats forced a three-and-out to stop the Greyhound momentum and get the ball back through a tackle for loss by Cale Allen. A 49-yard punt return from Juergens set CWU up at ENMU's 15-yard line.
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Justice Taylor took over from there, using five plays to punch it into the endzone to increase the lead to 42-13 with 49 seconds left in the third.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Greyhounds made a push deep into the redzone, but a Brycen Indell sack on third down and forced a fourth and 14. From there Omar Lazcano picked off the ball for his second interception of the night.
Antoine Lee only needed three plays to make a mark in the game as a 58-yard rush earned the Wildcats another touchdown to go up 49-13. ENMU wasn't ready to give up and rebounded to gain a touchdown to put the game at 49-20 with 6:14 left to play.
Ki'Marree Washington and Taylor were utilized on the run game to run out the clock and a fourth and four pass from Caleb Christensen to Andrew Molloy for nine yards closed the game out with a Wildcats victory.
CWU will host their senior day this Saturday as they face Western New Mexico at 1 p.m.
BOX SCORE
CWU: 7-14-21-7: 79
ENM: 6-0-7-7: 20
