Reilly ties TD record in rout

ELLENSBURG -- The answer was as simple as the score.

And to Blaine Bennett, at least, there was not even a question as to why his Central Washington Wildcats had fought for their football lives against Dixie State in their season opener, only to rout the Rebels five weeks later.

"We're a much better football team than when we played them before," Bennett said after 12th-ranked Central had progressed from desperation in an overtime victory on Aug. 30 to domination, 49-14, Saturday at Tomlinson Stadium.

"We've made a lot of progress in a lot of areas, and today we got on them early and played very well even though our offensive numbers weren't what they have been."

Then, casting a wary eye to the west, Bennett took note of some ominous incoming clouds and said, "Something's coming our way, isn't it?"

He might have been talking about next Saturday's Battle in Seattle, the annual big-city showdown with cross-mountain rival Western Washington. Always an attraction for the region's Division II fans, this year's edition will merit added attention for two primary reasons.

For one, the Vikings have won three of their last four and appear to be vastly improved. For another, the Qwest Field stage will provide Mike Reilly a high-profile opportunity to break the hallowed CWU record he tied against Dixie.

Reilly, whose fourth touchdown pass ran his career total to that of Jon Kitna's 99, hastened to add, "If we don't throw another touchdown all year and win a national championship, you won't hear any complaints from me."

Nor was there much for Bennett and his staff to quarrel with after the Wildcats (4-0 GNAC, 5-1 overall) scored 35 unanswered points, including 21 in a 1:36 span late in the second quarter, for a 42-7 halftime lead.

In addition to Reilly's continued marksmanship -- he finished 14 for 20 for 212 yards and four scores -- Central forced five turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns.

For the season the Wildcats are plus-11 in takeaways and have produced four defensive TDs and two special teams scores.

Jon Rogers, in fact, was able to protect a still-healing hamstring during his 79-yard fumble return for CWU's final tally.

"I was able to take my time because of all the blockers I had around me," the senior cornerback said, smiling. "I took advantage of the convoy."

Jason Gran's 31-yard interception runback was sandwiched by two Reilly-to-Johnny Spevak connections during the Wildcats' second-quarter onslaught against DSC (0-4, 1-5).

The last one, a 15-yarder coming 40 seconds before intermission, tied Kitna's record and typified the radar-like rapport between Reilly and his top receiver.

"They had our routes pretty well covered," the quarterback said, "and for a second I was going to Mike Waller on the sideline. I stepped up in the pocket and almost pulled the trigger, but their safety came up and that left Spevak wide open."

Spevak, who has caught 33 of Reilly's scoring strikes, shook his head. "It's weird," he said. "I never give up on a play and neither does Mike. I just keep moving and he always seems to find me. And it's fun being a little part of history like that."

And there was more history. The record-tying pass was Reilly's 138th consecutive attempt without being intercepted, a school record.

"Mike Reilly," said Bennett, "is a phenomenal young man."

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