Oct. 29, 2005
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
JOE SUNNEN, THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
The disappointment from their letdown at the Battle in Seattle against Central Washington still lingers for the Western Washington University football team.
A misplayed punt that resulted in a Wildcat touchdown, a fumbled snap on the goal line, seven total turnovers - it's something that winning the last two games hasn't quite been able to erase.
"What we want in this game is too just go out and play well," WWU coach Rob Smith said. "We were so disappointed with how we played in that first game. And not to take anything away from Central, they got it done and we didn't, but there were unforced errors and you're not going to beat anybody doing that."
WWU can exorcise a host of demons today with a win against the visiting Wildcats. A conference title, the 10th annual Cascade Cup, and bragging rights are within the Vikings' grasp with a win.
"We have the Cascade Cup on the line, a GNAC championship still in the balance, and hopefully we'll just play well," Smith said. "And may the best team win."
The Vikings (4-4, 3-1 GNAC) can clinch at least a share of their fifth Great Northwest Athletic Conference title in the last seven seasons by winning their last two games.
That goal starts today with Central (6-2, 4-0 GNAC) at 1 p.m. at Civic Stadium. The season ends with Western Oregon University on Nov. 5.
This is also the last time either school will play on another's campus for the foreseeable future. When both schools move to the North Central Conference next season, they will meet just once a year and that will be in Seattle.
This is the 96th meeting between the two.
"The next time we meet it will be in Seattle and that will be for the Cascade Cup," Smith said. "This will be the last time this game is played on one of the campuses for sometime. So there is a lot riding on this."
The Vikings will have to find a way to stop Central quarterback Mike Reilly and the Wildcats' talented and deep receiving corps. Central ranked up 467 yards in their 37-17 win in Seattle on Oct. 8.
"I'd say Central has the toughest receiving corps we've faced," cornerback Brett Hall said. "Each of those guys is a threat, whether it's throwing underneath or deep. They all have talent and they have a good quarterback throwing it to them."
Moving the ball wasn't a problem for WWU in their first meeting, the Vikings rolled up 475 yards, including 354 passing, but protecting the ball was.
"Obviously we're excited for this one," Smith said. "But we really just want to play well."
