Naia College Football Playoffs / Central Washington 40, Hardin- Simmons 20 -- Kitna Airlifts Central To Semifinals

ABILENE, Texas - Quarterback John Kitna broke open a close game with three fourth-quarter touchdown drives yesterday as Central Washington beat Hardin-Simmons 40-20 in an NAIA Division II quarterfinal.

Kitna threw for 377 yards and five touchdowns yesterday as Central Washington (9-3) advanced to next Saturday's Division II semifinal against the University of Mary at noon at Sparks Stadium in Tacoma.

Hardin Simmons (9-2) trailed 13-6 at the half before closing to 13-12 with 14:13 left on Todd Baumann's 39-yard TD pass to Michael Daggs.

But the Wildcats were about to pounce, thanks to Kitna.

He struck with a 53-yard TD pass to Kenny Russaw with 9:14 left in the third quarter. He followed with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Todd Murray with 9:39 left in the game. Kitna capped the surge with a 20-yard TD throw to Josh Woodard at 9:00.

With 1:39 left to play, Kitna completed a 20-yard TD pass to Russaw to make the score 40-20.

Kitna became the NAIA Division II total offense record-holder with 12,106 career yards.

The Wildcats took a 6-3 lead when Jamie Christian plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out with 14:15 left in the half. Beddow responded for the Cowboys with a 27-yard field goal, tying the game 6-6 with 11:17 left in the half.

Mary 42, Sioux Falls 17

BISMARCK, N.D. - The Marauders' Paul Cronin threw two of his four touchdown passes and scored on a 21-yard run during a 31-second fourth-quarter spurt by Mary (11-1). Mary next faces Central Washington in the NAIA Division II semifinals on Saturday at Sparks Stadium.