When Northwest has the ball:

This NCAA Division II quarterfinal pits the nation's No. 1 defense - Central Washington - against the No. 2 offense - Northwest. The Bearcats average 43.8 points a game behind quarterback Blake Bolles, who ranks third nationally in passing efficiency. Bolles is completing 68.7 percent of his passes, which would be a school record if it holds up through the season's end. He's passed for the fifth-most yards in MIAA history this season (3,433). His favorite target is sophomore receiver Jake Soy. Soy's 22 touchdown catches lead the nation and are the sixth-most in Division II history. Soy also has picked up 1,257 yards this year. Running back LaRon Council isn't the featured part of the offense like he was last season, but he's still an effective weapon. Council has 1,289 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. But Central Washington might be the best defense the Bearcats have faced this season. Only three teams have scored more than 10 points against the Wildcats this season. They've only given up 28 total points in their past four games and allow just 11 points a game this year on average. Central Washington's defense also is top-ranked in the nation against the run, giving up just 55.1 rushing yards a game. Senior strong-side linebacker Buddy Wood provides the leadership. He's second on the team with 92 tackles and has an interception as well as 15.5 tackles for loss. Middle linebacker Prince Hall (6-4, 264) leads the team in stops with 95. He has 15.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. Hall also has three interceptions, which leads the team. Defensive back Jerome Williams sets the pace in the Wildcats' secondary. He's got two interceptions, including one he returned 50 yards for a touchdown.

Advantage:

Central Washington

When Central Wash. has the ball:

Central Washington's offense isn't as dominant as its defense. The team averages 27.8 points and 358 total yards a game. The run-focused team averages 144 rushing yards a game behind Randall Eldridge. Eldridge has 866 yards and 10 touchdowns on 206 attempts this season. Bryson Kelly completes the Wildcats' one-two punch. Kelly has 524 yards on 111 carries so far. The top target in Central Washington's passing game is Johnny Spevak. Spevak has 990 yards and 71 catches. He's also scored 10 times. The Wildcats have three other receivers with more than 20 catches - Reggie Westmoreland (26 catches), Jamal Weems (25) and Eldridge (23). Cole Morgan starts at quarterback and has completed 56 percent of his passes for 1,287 yards. Ryan Robertson, a redshirt freshman, has also taken snaps in nine of the Wildcats' games, and he's completed 57 percent of his attempts for 1,275 yards. Robertson has 13 touchdown passes to eight interceptions. Northwest led the MIAA in defense. The Bearcats last week sacked Abilene Christian seven times, bringing their season total to 42. That total is fourth-best in the nation. Defensive lineman Sean Paddock leads the Bearcats' charge with 6.5 sacks. Paddock, who missed much of the second half of the season, looked more like himself in Northwest's 35-10 playoff victory against Abilene Christian last week. Paddock had a sack and eight total tackles. Linebacker Chad Kilgore, a sophomore, continues to make his presence known. He leads the team with 78 total tackles. Northwest's aggressive defense also is good at picking up turnovers. The Bearcats have forced 33 takeaways. Safety Myles Burnsides and defensive backs Ryan Jones and Justin Welch each have four interceptions.

Advantage: Northwest

Notes:

Both teams have played their best in the last month. Northwest has trailed for just 1 minutes, 36 seconds in its last three games. Central Washington has played from behind for 1 minute, 34 seconds in its last three games. ... Northwest made uncharacteristic mistakes last week, turning the ball over four times. Still, the Bearcats are third nationally in turnover margin. Northwest has 33 takeaways compared to just 16 turnovers. ... Central Washington is making its 13th playoff appearance, including its fourth at the Division II level. The Wildcats are 13-11-1 in the playoffs and are 5-1 in home playoff games. In all, the Wildcats have won 11 straight at home.