Football | 11/2/2012 9:43:00 AM

FOOTBALL - WESTERN OREGON AT CENTRAL WASHINGTON
Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 – 1:00 p.m. – Ellensburg, Wash.

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MONMOUTH, Ore. – Winners of five-of-six games, the Western Oregon football team returns to action this week as the Wolves travel to Ellensburg, Wash., for a meeting against Central Washington in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 1:00 p.m.

WOU enters the week with a mark of 5-4 overall and in second-place in the GNAC with a 5-3 record after falling to Azusa Pacific, 19-3, last week. Despite the loss, the Wolves control their own destiny in the conference race as wins in the final two games of the year would clinch at least a tie for the conference title.

After allowing less than 300 yards of total offense against the Cougars, the WOU defense continues to play well as the Wolves have moved to second in the league in scoring defense, allowing only 20.7 points per game. WOU ranks second in the league in total defense, allowing 340.7 yards per game while leading the conference in rushing defense at 111.4 yards per contest.

A strong defensive front has helped the Wolves become one of the league's best on the defensive side of the ball as Gustave Benthin and Kraig Akins rank one-two in the GNAC in tackles for a loss. Benthin leads all players with 11 tackles for a loss while Akins ranks second with 9.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

On the offensive side of the ball, WOU ranks fourth in the league in scoring at 23.9 points per game while averaging 368.2 yards of offense per game. Kenneth Haynes and Joe Harris lead the WOU attack as the running back duo have averaged 57.2 and 57.0 yards per game, respectively, as the Wolves rank third in the league in rushing offense at 156.3 yards per contest.

After starting quarterback Cody VonAppen went down with an injury two weeks ago, Trey Shimabukuro and Ryan Bergman will likely split time behind center against the Wildcats.

CWU enters the week tied with the Wolves in the league standings as the Wildcats enter with an identical mark of 5-4 overall and 5-3 in league play after a 14-10 loss to Humboldt State last week.

Demetrius Sumler leads CWU as the running back is averaging 114.6 yards per game while quarterback Ryan Robertson is averaging 188.8 yards per contest through the air, tossing nine touchdowns to 11 interceptions.

The Wildcats captured the first meeting of the year as CWU rallied for a 21-14, overtime victory in Monmouth.

Following the contest with the Wildcats, WOU will close out the 2012 season as the Wolves host Humboldt State on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 1:00 p.m.