September 4th, 2019 6:00pm
Another season of GNAC football begins, and after the exit of Humboldt State’s Football program, the conference is down to just four teams. What was already a razor-thin margin for error has now become even smaller for teams to earn a playoff berth. Week one sets up to be a tough test when all four teams starting the season on the road, with Central Washington and Simon Fraser traveling to face FCS foes.
Thursday, September 5
Western Oregon at Angelo State 7:00 PM
For the second consecutive season, Western Oregon will open its schedule against the Rams of Angelo State. The Wolves will be traveling to Angelo State looking to return the favor after being handed a last-minute loss on their home field last season in week one.
Thursday’s game will mark the first game of a tough non-conference schedule. Western Oregon will face five members of the Lone Star Conference including two teams ranked inside the d2football.com preseason Top 25.
The Wolves are returning many starters on both sides of the ball including Quarterback Ty Currie. Currie had success against the Rams last season, throwing for 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Rams last season. Sophomore running back Omari Land figures to be a factor in the offense coming off a strong freshman season where he ranked 4th in the conference in rushing yards per game.
Saturday, September 7
Simon Fraser at Portland State (FCS) 5:00 PM
It’s been a rough go for the Simon Fraser University Clan since joining the NCAA in 2012. Coming into the 2019 season, the team is 11-60 overall in the NCAA and just 1-38 since 2015.
The Clan comes into the 2019 campaign looking for their first conference win since 2014, to make matters worse they have not beaten a current GNAC team since the 2013 season. It will come as no surprise that SFU has been picked to finish last in the GNAC preseason poll.
Wins and losses aside, the Clan showed some signs of life last season under first-year head coach Thomas Ford which included the conferences most potent passing offense.
They will face Portland State University of the FCS to start the 2019 season which is coming off a close week one loss against the University of Arkansas of the FBS.
Saturday, September 7
Azusa Pacific at West Texas A&M 7:00 PM
The Azusa Pacific Cougars are looking to build on a strong 2018 Campaign ending in a Co-GNAC Championship and the programs second playoff berth since entering the GNAC in 2012. The Cougars are the favorites to win the GNAC coming into the season in what is expected to be another season-long battle with Central Washington.
2019 will be the second season of a home and home with West Texas A&M, with this matchup moving to Canyon TX. Azusa defeated the Buffaloes of West Texas A&M to 17-7 to kick off the 2018 campaign.
The Cougars open the season unranked but received 71 votes in the AFCA preseason Coaches’ poll and could very well find itself in the Top 25 with a week one victory in the Lone Star State. They will be no shortage of talent on the roster as the team lost just two starters on offense with no lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball.
Saturday, September 7
Central Washington at Idaho 9:00 PM
Central Washington University appeared to be on the brink of a 2018 playoff berth just one season ago. But a crushing defeat against Azusa Pacific put an end to their postseason aspirations in the last week of the regular season.
Entering the 2019 season, they look to rebound under their new regime lead by first-year head coach Chris Fisk.
Fisk may be new to the position of Head Coach, but he has been leading the team as Offensive Coordinator since 2016. In his three seasons leading the Wildcat offense
The Wildcats' road to redemption gets off to a challenging start, where they will square off against the Idaho Vandals of the FCS. The Vandals, new to the FCS, are just two seasons removed from playing in the top level of College Football.
It is unclear at this point who will replace Reilly Hennessy at the quarterback position as the competition remains on going up until game time on Saturday. The Wildcats were one of the most high-powered offenses last season ranking second in Division II football averaging more than 540 yards per game at a clip of 47.7 points per contest.