Central Washington edged Arizona 32-28 Saturday in a key gam for the independent CWU team.

While Arizona can certainly absorb this loss and stay strong in the rankings and in conference play, Central, with no conference to play in, needed this win in order to bolster their D1A playoff position. CWU won despite seeing center Marques Fuala'au get a red card midway through the first half. 

Central got tries from hooker Tresten Keys, No. 8 Alex McKenzie, wing Cole Zarcone, sub forward Ivan Pula, with flyhalf Lewis Hollidge adding two conversions and a penalty to make it 28-27 for Arizona with time winding down. That's when McKenzie went over for his second, which was the game-winner.

"We just stayed in the moment and moved on from any adversity we had quickly and focused on the next job," said CWU Head Coach Todd Thornley. "Defensively we worked hard to negate their explosive carriers. And then on attack we managed to nail enough moments to get the win."

The game added Thornley, could have gone either way, and the red card could have sunk his team. Instead, said the CWU coach, "but it galvanized us."

Next up for Central Washington will be Gonzaga University and then Trinity Western before Utah and then BYU visit Ellensburg to close out the month. Arizona, meanwhile, visits Grand Canyon before hosting Cal and then facing a crucial rankings clash with UCLA on February 22.