Central Valley High School grad/junior running back Ja'Quan Gardner and the 13th-ranked Humboldt State football team opened the 2016 campaign with a thrilling 52-45 road win over Carson-Newman of Tennessee on Sept. 1.

The Lumberjacks dropped to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference following Saturday's 38-27 loss to No. 24 Azusa Pacific in front of 7,311 fans at the Redwood Bowl in Arcata.

The loss snapped a 10-game home winning streak dating back to the 2014 season.

Gardner gained a game-high 159 yards and scored two touchdowns on 27 carries in defeat.

Ja'Quan totaled 31 yards on six receptions.

Humboldt State trailed 21-17 at halftime.

Gardner scored on a 4-yard run in the second quarter.

Gardner's 3-yard TD run and Cameron Southward's point-after kick gave the Lumberjacks a slim 27-24 lead heading into the final period.

Ja'Quan rushed for 71 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries in the third quarter.

Azusa Pacific (2-0, 1-0) outscored Humboldt State 14-0 during the fourth quarter.