Click here to see photos of this game by Amanda Garcia.
FIERCE MOMENTUM: Senior defensive players Marvin Wash, Jared Brock and LeAndrew Hicks catch their breath on the sidelines during Saturday’s win against Central Washington. Photo by Amanda Garcia.
Jason Poland
Sports Editor
The offensive battle that showcased two prolific passers and their teams lived up to the billing as both teams combined for 1,088 yards in total offense.
WTAMU defeated Central Washington 49-42 Saturday at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium in front of 6,975 fans.
With the win, WT will advance to the next round of action against conference and regional foe Abilene Christian University.
“We have more character and more hunger then we have ever had before,” Jared Brock senior linebacker said. “I hope that translates into a win against Abilene.”
In the game against Central Washington, the Buffaloes offensive attack led the way in a battle that came down to the waning minutes of the contest.
Senior quarter back Keith Null exploited Central Washington’s defense to the tune of 463 yards through the air. Null connected with an array of different receivers as he completed 35-of-49 attempts. The senior made touchdown passes of 35, 58 and 71 yards.
Null’s counterpart, Mike Reilly, also had a career day as he torched the Buff’s defense for 420 yards on 30-of-61 passing. Reilly found the end zone on six different occasions, five by way of the air and one on the ground.
“Both defenses were just out matched by both offenses,” CWU head coach Blaine Bennett said.
Big play after big play for WT was matched by CWU’s offense as both teams were trying to move on to the next round of the playoffs.
“Every time we made some mistakes he cut us,” Brock said. “A couple of blitzes he got out. He (Reilly) is just a great athlete and he hurt us.”
A couple of other seniors had big days for WT as both Charly Martin and Seth Hayden had eight receptions each. Martin had 172 yards and one score; Hayden had 160 yards and two touchdown receptions.
“We don’t have a go to guy in this offense,” Martin said. “Keith goes through his reads and finds the open guy. It’s the system. You can’t stop all four of us on one play.”
The difference between the two teams was WT’s running game. Sophomore running back Keithon Flemming found holes in the CWU’s defense and accounted for four touchdowns as he rushed for 99 yards. Besides the 41 yards that Reilly accumulated for CWU the team had only 24 yards on the ground.
WT will face off against Abilene Christian at 12 p.m. Saturday in Abilene at Shotwell Stadium.