Central rallies late, avenges earlier loss to Neb.-Omaha

Published 12:02 am Sunday, November 25, 2007

OMAHA, Neb. — The University of Nebraska at Omaha experienced more postseason heartbreak on Saturday as Central Washington rallied for 13 points in the final 3 minutes to beat the Mavericks 20-17 in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Central Washington’s comeback sends the Wildcats (10-2) into the quarterfinals against two-time defending champion Grand Valley State. UNO (10-1), the top seed in its region, saw its season end after it blew a 10-point lead.

It was the fifth straight playoff loss for UNO, which fell to 1-7 in the postseason under coach Pat Behrns.

“We had our chances, but we didn’t make the most of those chances,” Behrns said. “My hat’s off to them.”

The loss came two weeks after UNO beat the Wildcats 59-21 in a North Central Conference game in Ellensburg.

The Mavericks broke a 7-7 tie in the third quarter on a 3-yard run by quarterback Zach Miller. A 40-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein put the Mavs up 17-7.

Central Washington’s Brandon Stout ran back the kickoff 100 yards to cut the Mavs’ lead to 17-14 with 2:49 left.

Central Washington coach Beau Baldwin said he was hoping Stout would bring the ball out of the end zone rather than take a touchback.

“I was back there saying, ‘Take it out, take it out,’ ” Baldwin said. “I was very glad he took it out. We needed a big play. That was big for us — in my opinion, the biggest play.”

Jerome Williams intercepted two Zach Miller passes to set up the go-ahead touchdown and secure the victory.

Williams’ first pick came at the UNO 30, and three plays later Mike Reilly threw an 18-yard TD pass to Johnny Spevak.

The Wildcats’ lead was 20-17 after Garrett Rolsma’s extra-point kick went wide.

“I just stayed up in the seam,” Williams said of the first interception. “I just held onto it so tight. I didn’t think they were going to throw it with 2 minutes left.”

On its final series, UNO moved from its 40 to the Central Washington 36 in five plays, but Williams intercepted Miller again. The Wildcats ran out the clock for their second straight playoff win.

Reilly completed 19 of 28 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

Spevak caught eight passes for 95 yards. Johnny Lopez led Wildcat rushers with 56 yards on 15 carries.

Miller was 11-for-22 for 108 yards, with three interceptions. Wurth led all rushers with 87 yards.