Tuesday, October 1, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - There is a logjam at the top of the GNAC football standings this week with four teams tied for first place with 2-1 records.

Two of the four - Azusa Pacific and Western Oregon - square off this Saturday at Monmouth.  Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Saturday's other two contests will match defending GNAC champion Central Washington and Humboldt State at Arcata and Simon Fraser and Dixie State at Saint George, Utah. Both games begin at 6 p.m. local time.

Western Oregon is coming off an impressive 30-9 win at Simon Fraser, which earned the Wolves GNAC Team of the Week honors. 

Led by Red Lion GNAC Defensive Player of the Week Kraig Akins, the Wolves allowed just three field goals in that contest.  Akins ranks fourth in forced fumbles in this week's NCAA Division II national statistical report.

Azusa Pacific will be looking to bounce back from a 7-3 home loss to Central Washington.

The Wildcats held APU to 176 yards in total offense in that game, 13 fewer than CWU running back Jordan Todd gained on the ground.  Todd's rushing total was a GNAC season high.

Central has been impressive on defense all year allowing just 52 points in four contests.  The Wildcats currently rank sixth nationally in scoring defense (13.0), 11th in rushing defense (82.8) and 13th in total defense (289.8) and pass efficiency defense (95.8).

On offense, Todd ranks 26th nationally in rushing, averaging 117 yards per game. Todd and Dixie quarterback Griff Robles were selected Co-GNAC Offensive Players of the Week.

Akins and Dixie State's Timothy Ehlinger are the top ranked individuals in this week's national statistical report.  Ehlinger ranks fourth in pass sacks with six in four games.

Two other GNAC players rank in the Top 10 this week in major categories including Daniel Moffett of Dixie State in interceptions and Michell Barnett of Simon Fraser in fumble recoveries.

Moffett, who shared GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honors with Akins, is eighth in interceptions with three.  All three came in Dixie's 49-24 win last Saturday at Humboldt State as Moffett became the sixth player in GNAC history to have three interceptions in the same game.

Barnett ranks seventh in fumble recoveries with two in three games.

AROUND THE GNAC: Todd and Azusa running back Terrell Watson have each had three 100-yard rushing games this season, while Robles leads the conference in 200-yard passing games with four.  Tyrell Williams of Western Oregon leads the GNAC in 100-yard receiving games with two.  He had five catches for 114 yards at Simon Fraser ... Watson was held to 40 yards by the Wildcats, ending his streak of 150-yard rushing games at five.  He also had his streak of consecutive games with a rushing touchdown snapped at nine, one shy of the GNAC record.

NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Sept. 29): Team (Top 30): Total Defense – 13. Central Washington 289.8. Scoring Defense – 6. Central Washington 13.0 Rushing Defense – 11. Central Washington 82.8. Passing Offense – 17. Simon Fraser 320.3; 24. Dixie State 307.0.  Passing Efficiency Defense – 13. Central Washington 95.8; 21. Simon Fraser 105.1.  Kick Return Defense – 17. Simon Fraser 15.80; 25. Western Oregon 16.24. Individuals (Top 30): Rushing – 26. Jordan Todd, CWU, 117.0.  Total Offense – 29. Griff Robles, DSC, 309.0. Scoring – 19. JD Duncan, DSU, 10.5. Receptions – 20. JD Duncan, DSU, 7.8.  Punt Returns -  17. Isaiah Davis, CWU, 12.3. Field Goals – 19. Matt Bruder, HSU, 1.3; 27, Jesse Correa, 1.0. Interceptions – 8. Daniel Moffett, DSU, 0.75; 23. Casey Chin, SFU, 0.67. Total Tackles – 17. Casey Chin, SFU, 11.3.  Pass Sacks – 4. Timothy Ehinger, DSU, 1.5.  Forced Fumbles – 4. Kraig Akins, WOU, 0.75; 11. Eric Murphy, SFU, 0.67; 20. Timothy Ehinger, DSU, and Deionte Gordon, CWU, 0.50. Fumbles Recovered – 7. Mitchell Barnett, SFU, 0.67; 12. Ronnie Hicks, HSU, and Nathan Sanchez, HSU, 0.50.  Passes Defended – 26. Cedrique Chaney, CWU, 1.50.

For more GNAC football highlights, check out the GNAC Weekly Report.