Oct. 19, 2007

YAKIMA, Wash. -

by Roger Underwood, Yakima Herald-Republic sports

It's Western.

So while other indications as to what might happen in Saturday night's fifth-annual Battle in Seattle might not be rendered moot, they might at least be considered diluted.

And that means the usual stuff -- records, rankings, stars and stats.

Because it's Western.

Central Washington, of course, has had the better of things so far, and also in recent encounters with its cross-mountain rival. It has a better record, (5-1 to 2-4), rankings (No. 17 in D2Football.com, No. 19 in the AFCA poll) and, of course, has earned a solid shot at the playoffs.

Also, CWU has taken the Vikings' measure four times in a row, in six of the last eight meetings and 10 of the last 15, including a 1995 NAIA playoff titanic in Bellingham that both coaches remember.

"My second year in coaching," Beau Baldwin said, recalling his days as a CWU assistant, "we played them in the playoffs. They were ranked No. 1 and we were something like 15th, one of the last teams to get in. And we went up there and beat 'em (28-21). That was 1995."

Meaning the year Jon Kitna led the Wildcats to their only national championship.

"There have been some great games in the rivalry," said Robin Ross, in his second year as Western's head man and previously a Viking aide. "I go back to 1994 and 1995, when Kitna was playing.

"It's always a big game, and it's great that it's played at Qwest Field. It's fitting to have it there, because there will probably be more players from Washington in this game than there will be in the Apple Cup."

And possibly more plays, given the flagging state of the state's major programs.

Mike Reilly, recruited by both the Wildcats and Vikings after leaving Washington State, has ascended to the elite level of CWU quarterbacks. And that includes Kitna, whose multitude of school records Reilly is on pace to either challenge or break.

Not only has the 6-foot-4 junior thrown for 1,771 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 66 percent of his passes, he's thrown just one interception in 200 attempts.

He has benefited this season from an improved offensive front and, accordingly, a more productive running game. With Johnny Lopez totaling 626 rushing yards to date, Central has augmented its air game with 987 yards on the ground.

The Wildcats ran for only 1,085 all last season.

Baldwin said receivers Matt Snell of East Valley and UW transfer Charles Smith should return from injuries to bolster an already productive corps anchored by Johnny Spevak (43 catches, 600 yards, nine TDs).

Plus the defense added five interceptions last week, boosting CWU to plus-15 in turnover margin.

After a 45-40 home-field conquest of nationally-ranked South Dakota, the Wildcats routed a solid Western Oregon team 49-14 last Saturday on the road.

Meaning in two games against opponents with a combined record of 7-3 coming in, Central has averaged 501 yards and 47 points.

But this week, it's Western.

"What we have to do this week," Baldwin said, "is try to make our guys think in terms of it still being a football game, staying sound and doing what we need to do. It's a rival game, it's fun and it's in the Seahawks' stadium and all that good stuff.

"But once we get out there it's 11 on 11. It's important that we not get too hyped up or over-juiced."

The Vikings, meanwhile, have played what Baldwin has described as "as tough a schedule as anyone in D-II." It started with the first game at UC Davis' new stadium, and Western beat the Division I-AA Aggies 28-21.

But while junior quarterback Adam Perry (1,255 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions) and sophomore running back Craig Garner (538 yards, five touchdowns) have excelled, the Vikings have won only once since, edging St. Cloud State 18-15 at home on a late field goal.

A week earlier, CWU had beaten St. Cloud 29-0 on the road.

"After getting off to such a good start, it's disappointing when you struggle," Ross said. "I told our players after the Davis game that this win doesn't make our season."

But a win Saturday would.

Because it's Central.