Western Colorado University held off No. 19 Central Washington University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs on Nov. 23. The Mountaineers won 28-21 to advance to the second round, a matchup that will take place at home against Bemidji State this weekend.On Saturday, quarterback Drew Nash had a role in all four Western touchdowns. He ran on the first score of the game, then tossed one touchdown pass in each of the remaining three quarters.The Mountaineers were forced to punt on their opening series, but the defense got the ball back on the Wildcats' fifth play from scrimmage. Drea Thompson sacked CWU quarterback Kennedy McGill, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jaydon Young at the Wildcat 25-yard line.On the fifth play after the turnover, Nash ran for 5 yards, and fought through tackles at the goal line for the opening score. Central Washington answered back with a 75-yard, six-play drive. The Wildcats gained momentum with a 37-yard run by McGill, who finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.Headed into the game, the Mountaineers placed importance on containing McGill, whose 1,093 rushing yards rank 12th in DII. Explosive plays from the Wildcat quarterback have been a regularity for CWU all season long, and his first one of the afternoon led to a touchdown.Nash was McGill's equal on the day, however. The first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterback led Western to another scoring drive in the second quarter. He completed a 10-yard pass to DJ Allen Jr. to move the Mountaineers ahead, 14-7.Central Washington booted a 32-yard field goal on the last play of the half to make it 14-10 at the break. The Mountaineer defense forced a 3-and-out on the following series, putting the ball back in Nash's hands.The eight-play, 63-yard drive that ensued — capped by a one-handed touchdown catch by receiver Josiah Ayon in the right corner of the end zone — took the steam away from Central Washington's momentum. CWU scored a field goal up on the scoreboard to narrow the gap with 8:18 to play, but Nash put the offense on his back to answer.He ran for 23 yards on the first play of the possession, and broke through the middle on the ground the next play. Then, Nash completed the 75-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Allen Jr. The score extended Western's lead to 28-13 with less than 7 minutes remaining.McGill forced the Wildcats downfield. Running back Tyler Flanagan crashed into the end zone for a 2-yard Wildcat touchdown, and completed the 2-point conversion. It was now a one-score game for the Wildcats, trailing 28-21.The CWU defense forced a Mountaineer punt to give the ball back to its offense with 53 seconds left, and memories of 2023 likely crept through the home crowd. The same two teams met at the Bowl in the first round last year with the Wildcats pulling out a 16-13 overtime win.But Western coach Todd Auer's defense wasn't going to let that happen this time around. Young sacked McGill on first down and an incompletion put the Wildcats in 3rd-and-13 with 29 seconds on the clock. McGill's pass was complete to Flanagan for 7 yards, and he lateraled to receiver Marcus Cook attempting to extend the play.Cameron Cooper, named RMAC Defensive Freshman of the Year, made perhaps the play of the game —forcing a Cook fumble that was pounced on by Ty Young at the CWU 24-yard line.Nash kneeled to end the game in victory formation, and advanced the Mountaineers to the second round of the playoffs.The Mountaineers will play Bemidji State University out of Minnesota in round two of the NCAA playoffs. The unranked Beavers on Saturday went into No. 16 Angelo State University's stadium and upset the host Rams, 24-14, to earn a trip to the Mountaineer Bowl.(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)
Western Colorado University held off No. 19 Central Washington University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs on Nov. 23. The Mountaineers won 28-21 to advance to the second round, a matchup that will take place at home against Bemidji State this weekend.
On Saturday, quarterback Drew Nash had a role in all four Western touchdowns. He ran on the first score of the game, then tossed one touchdown pass in each of the remaining three quarters.
The Mountaineers were forced to punt on their opening series, but the defense got the ball back on the Wildcats' fifth play from scrimmage. Drea Thompson sacked CWU quarterback Kennedy McGill, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Jaydon Young at the Wildcat 25-yard line.
On the fifth play after the turnover, Nash ran for 5 yards, and fought through tackles at the goal line for the opening score. Central Washington answered back with a 75-yard, six-play drive. The Wildcats gained momentum with a 37-yard run by McGill, who finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.
Headed into the game, the Mountaineers placed importance on containing McGill, whose 1,093 rushing yards rank 12th in DII. Explosive plays from the Wildcat quarterback have been a regularity for CWU all season long, and his first one of the afternoon led to a touchdown.
Nash was McGill's equal on the day, however. The first-team All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference quarterback led Western to another scoring drive in the second quarter. He completed a 10-yard pass to DJ Allen Jr. to move the Mountaineers ahead, 14-7.
Central Washington booted a 32-yard field goal on the last play of the half to make it 14-10 at the break. The Mountaineer defense forced a 3-and-out on the following series, putting the ball back in Nash's hands.
The eight-play, 63-yard drive that ensued — capped by a one-handed touchdown catch by receiver Josiah Ayon in the right corner of the end zone — took the steam away from Central Washington's momentum. CWU scored a field goal up on the scoreboard to narrow the gap with 8:18 to play, but Nash put the offense on his back to answer.
He ran for 23 yards on the first play of the possession, and broke through the middle on the ground the next play. Then, Nash completed the 75-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Allen Jr. The score extended Western's lead to 28-13 with less than 7 minutes remaining.
McGill forced the Wildcats downfield. Running back Tyler Flanagan crashed into the end zone for a 2-yard Wildcat touchdown, and completed the 2-point conversion. It was now a one-score game for the Wildcats, trailing 28-21.
The CWU defense forced a Mountaineer punt to give the ball back to its offense with 53 seconds left, and memories of 2023 likely crept through the home crowd. The same two teams met at the Bowl in the first round last year with the Wildcats pulling out a 16-13 overtime win.
But Western coach Todd Auer's defense wasn't going to let that happen this time around. Young sacked McGill on first down and an incompletion put the Wildcats in 3rd-and-13 with 29 seconds on the clock. McGill's pass was complete to Flanagan for 7 yards, and he lateraled to receiver Marcus Cook attempting to extend the play.
Cameron Cooper, named RMAC Defensive Freshman of the Year, made perhaps the play of the game —forcing a Cook fumble that was pounced on by Ty Young at the CWU 24-yard line.
Nash kneeled to end the game in victory formation, and advanced the Mountaineers to the second round of the playoffs.
The Mountaineers will play Bemidji State University out of Minnesota in round two of the NCAA playoffs. The unranked Beavers on Saturday went into No. 16 Angelo State University's stadium and upset the host Rams, 24-14, to earn a trip to the Mountaineer Bowl.
(Gregg Petcoff is the assistant athletics director for communications at Western Colorado University and can be reached at gpetcoff@western.edu.)
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