LUMBERJACKS

NAU signs four players during early signing period

The Republic | azcentral.com
Paradise Valley tight end Bric Parmley Hudnutt

Dec. 20, 2017

Northern Arizona announced the signing of four football players on Wednesday, the first day of the new early signing period, which runs through Friday.

Defensive tackle John Clark (6-3, 200) from Peoria Liberty High School, tight end Bric Hudnutt (6-3, 260) of Phoenix Paradise Valley High School, tight end Jarek Schultz (6-7, 230) of Colony High School in Palmer, Alaska, and offensive lineman JaSean Harrison (6-1, 280) of El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., have all signed their Letters of Intent with the Lumberjacks.

“I am very pleased with the members of this year’s early signing class in terms of how it adds depth and solidifies our program on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” head coach Jerome Souers said in a statement released on Wednesday. “We added some talented players on both the offensive and defensive lines as well as an immediate replacement to fill the void left after the graduation of All-Big Sky center Blake Porter.”

The tradition signing day is on Feb. 7, 2018, when NAU will fill out the rest of its next recruiting class.

Northern Arizona wide receiver Elijah Marks.

Marks named to FCS All-America Team

Dec. 12, 2017

Senior Elijah Marks of Northern Arizona was named the all-purpose player on the FCS All-American team Second Team, announced on Tuesday.

Marks, a Goodyear Desert Edge standout, was the Lumberjacks' lone representative on the FCS team this season after catching 71 passes for 1,170 yards and six touchdowns and returning 12 kicks for 279 yards, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown.

Northern Arizona head coach Jerome Souers in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Nov. 25, 2017

San Diego shuts down NAU

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Anthony Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and Emilio Martinez had 20 carries for 117 yards and a score to help San Diego beat Northern Arizona 41-10 on Saturday night in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.

Ross Dwelley had six receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns and Justin Priest added five catches for 93 yards and a score for San Diego. The Toreros (10-2) will play No. 2 seed North Dakota State next Saturday.

Northern Arizona went three-and-out on each of its first four possessions and had minus-29 yards in the first quarter before Lawrence hit Dwelley for a 26-yard touchdown that gave San Diego a 17-0 lead just more than a minute into the second quarter.

Case Cookus had a 32-yard run and was 4-of-5 passing for 40 yards — including a 6-yard TD to Terrell Brown — during six-play, 82-yard drive that trimmed NAU’s deficit to 10 points about two minutes later, but Martinez scored on a 14-yard run to make it 24-7 with five minutes left in the half and the Lumberjacks trailed by at least 14 the rest of the way.

NAU (7-5), which came in ranked No. 14 nationally in total offense (448.4 yards per game), committed three turnovers and was limited to a season-low 238 total yards.

-- Associated Press

Nov. 24, 2017

Saturday's game

San Diego (9-2, 8-0 Pioneer) at Northern Arizona (7-4, 6-2 Big Sky)

When: 6 p.m.

Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

The matchup: Northern Arizona makes its first NCAA FCS playoff appearance since 2013. The Lumberjacks earned an at-large berth following a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Big Sky Conference. ... The winner will hit the road for a matchup with No. 2 seed North Dakota State on Dec. 2 in Fargo, N.D. at 1:30 p.m. MST. ... NAU QB Case Cookus has 19 touchdown passes over the past nine games with only two interceptions. Cookus has thrown 381 passes with only one pick entering Saturday. ... NAU's playoff berth marks the fifth overall under coach Jerome Souers. ... San Diego captured an automatic bid after winning the Pioneer League regular season championship with a 9-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 conference mark. ... Souers is the winningest coach in Big Sky history (120 wins).

NAU places four players on Big Sky First Team

Nov. 21, 2017

Northern Arizona's football placed four players on the All-Big Sky Conference First Team, which was announced on Tuesday, as sophomore quarterback Case Cookus, senior wide receiver Elijah Marks, senior offensive tackle Tyler Shank and junior safety Wes Sutton were honored.

Two Lumberjacks made Second Team: Sophomore cornerback Kahlil Dorsey and junior safety Kam'ron Johnson.

Three others made Third Team: senior center Blake Porter, junior running back Cory Young and senior defensive tackle James Walton.

NAU's Honorable Mention honorees were offensive tackle Cole Habib, running back Joe Logan, defensive end Clarence Smith, linebacker Byron Evans, linebacker Taylor Powell and cornerback Maurice Davidson.

Souers to return as NAU coach in 2018

Nov. 20, 2017

Jerome Souers will continue as Northern Arizona’s football coach after the current season.

Souers, in his 20th season, was scheduled to leave the program per an announcement by the school in September, but university president Rita Cheng announced the change on Monday, citing the need to ensure stability for the program.

Andy Thompson, currently defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, will be promoted to associate head coach. NAU hosts San Diego on Saturday in a first-round FCS playoff game.

NAU hosts San Diego in FCS playoffs first round

Nov. 19, 2017

Although Northern Arizona’s regular season didn’t end the way the Lumberjacks would have liked, with a loss Saturday at Southern Utah, there’s more football ahead.

NAU (7-4) received a bid to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs and will host San Diego (9-2) at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Flagstaff.

The winner will advance to a second-round matchup at North Dakota State (10-1) at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 2.

It’s NAU’s first playoff appearance since 2013, and it extends the tenure of longtime coach Jerome Souers. On Sept. 11 it was announced that this would be his final season.

Southern Utah beats NAU for Big Sky title

CEDAR CITY, Utah — Jay Green ran in three touchdowns, Patrick Tyler carried in two more and Southern Utah clinched the Big Sky Conference title with a 48-20 win over Northern Arizona on Saturday.

Green finished with 25 carries for 134 yards and Tyler was 20-of-30 passing for 238 yards with an interception and another 31 yards rushing. Isaiah Diego-Williams also had a rushing TD and Manny Berz kicked two field goals for Southern Utah (9-2, 7-1), which edged Northern Arizona 442-379 in total offense.

The Thunderbirds captured the automatic berth to the FCS playoffs but will share the conference title with Weber State, which finished Saturday with an identical season record but lost to Southern Utah in October.

Northern Arizona (7-4, 6-2) got 246 yards from Case Cookus with 23-for-44 passing, including a 2-yard TD throw to Matthew Kempton late in the fourth quarter. Cory Young had a rushing TD and Griffin Roehler had two field goals.

- Associated Press

Nov. 17, 2017

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona (7-3, 6-1 Big Sky) at Southern Utah (8-2, 6-1)

When: 2:30 p.m.

Where: Eccles Coliseum, Cedar City, Utah.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

The matchup: The Big Sky Conference championship comes down to Saturday. The winner of this game will get at least a share of the trophy, depending on the results of the game between Weber State (8-3) and Idaho State (4-6). ... The Lumberjacks would hate to lose the conference title in part to a flukey, first-quarter targeting call on quarterback Case Cookus two weeks ago, believed to be the first ever called on a quarterback. ... The Thunderbirds are riding a six-game wining streak. ... SUU has won three in a row in the series. ... The winner of this annual contest takes home the HintonBurdick Grand Canyon Trophy. ... NAU head coach Jerome Souers could be working his last game in his 20th and final season in Flagstaff. It was announced after the second game this season that this would be his final season coaching the Lumberjacks. ... Souers is the winningest coach in Big Sky history (119 wins)... The 24-team field for the FCS playoffs will be announced Sunday at 9 a.m. Arizona time on ESPNU.

NAU 2017 schedule, results

Saturday, Sept. 2

Arizona 62, NAU 24

Saturday, Sept. 9

Western Illinois 38, NAU 20

Saturday, Sept. 23

NAU 28, Cal Pol 10

Saturday, Sept. 30

NAU 48, Northern Colorado 20

Saturday, Oct. 7

NAU 37, Illinois State 16

Saturday, Oct. 14

NAU 42, Portland State 20

Saturday, Oct. 21

NAU 45, UC Davis 31

Saturday, Oct. 28

NAU 37, Sacramento State 17

Saturday, Nov. 4

Montana 17, NAU 15

Saturday, Nov. 11

NAU 37, Montana State 36

Saturday, Nov. 18

NAU at Southern Utah, 2:30 p.m.

NAU holds off Montana St. 

Nov. 11, 2017

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Joe Logan ran for 142 yards and two scores and his 2-yard plunge with 4:49 remaining gave Northern Arizona the lead for good in its 37-36 win against Montana State on Saturday night.

Logan's final touchdown put Northern Arizona (7-3, 6-1 Big Sky) out front 37-30, but the Bobcats marched 75-yards in 10-plays and scored with 32 seconds left when Chris Murray threw a 21-yard score to Kevin Kassis to reduce the deficit to 37-36.

The Bobcats played for the win but the 2-point conversion failed. The Lumberjacks recovered the on-side kick and then downed the ball to end the game.

Case Cookus threw for 314 yards and a touchdown in his return to action after being ejected last week for targeting in a 17-15 loss at Montana. The Lumberjacks remain in a three-way tie atop the conference with Southern Utah and Weber State.

Murray threw for 155 yards and two scores and ran for 85 yards and two scores for Montana State (4-6, 4-3). Nick LaSane had 184 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.

NAU closes the season on Saturday at Southern Utah.

- Associated Press

Saturday's game

Montana State at Northern Arizona

When: 5 p.m.

Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

NAU update (6-3, 5-1 Big Sky): Jerome Souers, the longest tenured football coach in the history of the Big Sky, will coach his final home game for NAU on Saturday. Souers is in his 20th season, one that was determined to be his last on Sept. 11. Souers is also the winningest coach in Big Sky history with 118 victories ... This game marks the final home game for 12 seniors on the NAU roster, including Elijah Marks, Emmanuel Butler and Tyler Shank. ... The 24th-ranked Lumberjacks are looking to bounce back from a 17-15 loss at Montana a week ago that snapped a five-game winning streak. In that game, quarterback Case Cookus was ejected for targeting, which is believed to be a first for a QB in the NCAA. 

Montana State update (4-5, 4-2 Big Sky): The Bobcats are one of four teams at 4-2 in the conference, a game back of three 5-1 teams, including NAU. ... Montana State has allowed just 41 points in the fourth quarter this season, 13 in the last four games. Chris Murray rushed for 92 yards in a 16-14 loss to Kennesaw State last Saturday. Murray has 1,800 career rushing yards, 11th in Montana State history and the most ever by quarterback in program history.

Montana snaps Northern Arizona’s 6-game win streak

Nov. 4, 2017

Makena Simis had 101 yards rushing on 19 carries and Jerry Louie-McGee had a 48-yard punt return for a touchdown to help Montana beat Northern Arizona 17-15 on Saturday to snap the Lumberjacks’ six-game win streak.

Simis, a redshirt senior, moved from quarterback to receiver after the 2015 season but came into the week as the backup quarterback. He entered the game after the first drive and was 6-of-15 passing for 44 yards with one interception.

With less than a minute left, Northern Arizona’s Stone Smartt scampered around the edge, dove and touched the pylon for a 2-yard touchdown that made it 17-15 with 50 seconds left. On the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt, he rolled right and had a wide open receiver in the back of the end zone, but threw behind his target.

Montana (6-3, 4-2 Big Sky Conference) recovered the onside kick to seal it.

In the first quarter, Smartt replaced quarterback Case Cookus, who was ejected for targeting on a block downfield.

The Montana defense had seven sacks and, after Cookus left, allowed just 278 total yards. Northern Arizona (6-3, 5-1) came in averaging nearly 461 yards, and more than 35 points, per game.

Nov. 3, 2017

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona at Montana

When: 2:30 p.m.

Where: Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Montana

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

NAU update (6-2, 5-0 Big Sky): On Tuesday, quarterback Case Cookus was one of 36 players named the midseason watch list for the College Football Performance Awards FCS National Performer of the Year. Over NAU's six-game win streak, he has thrown for 2,104 yards, 17 touchdowns and only one interception. He's coming off a 407-yard performance in a 37-17 win over Sacramento State and has propelled the Lumberjacks into the Big Sky driver's seat after starting the year 0-2. NAU is 16th in the latest coaches poll. The Lumberjacks are the only undefeated team in Big Sky Conference.

Montana update (5-3, 3-2 Big Sky): Montana controls its own destiny against NAU. Five teams in the Big Sky are currently 5-3 or 6-2. A Grizzlies win would push them ahead of the Lumberjacks. To do that, the defense might have to play its best game of the season. They've allowed at least 30 points in all except one conference game. The Grizzlies offense has carried the load, scoring at least 39 points in every conference game prior to last week's 41-27 loss to Weber State.

RELATED: Arizonans on NAU football roster - 2017 season

Cookus, defense lead NAU past Sac. State, 37-17

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Case Cookus threw for 407 yards and a score and Northern Arizona’s defense recorded two interception returns for touchdowns to lead the Lumberjacks past Sacramento State 37-17 Saturday night.

Wes Sutton intercepted Wyatt Clapper and ran 63 yards to give Northern Arizona (6-2, 5-0 Big Sky) a 17-0 lead. The Hornets quickly responded when, on their next drive, Joseph Ajeigbe galloped 71 yards to reduce the deficit to 10. Both teams added field goals, and in the third, Roman Ale found Elijah Dotson on a 48-yard scoring pass to bring Sac State to within 20-17.

The Lumberjacks stiffened on defense, and offensively, NAU reeled off 17 unanswered points, the finally blow coming with 7:03 left when Kam’Ron Johnson recorded a 46-yard pick-6 off backup Wyatt Clapper for the game’s final margin.

Ajeigbe led Sacramento State (4-4, 3-2) with 119 yards on 11 carries.

-- Associated Press

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona vs. Sacramento State

When: 4 p.m.

Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff.

TV: CW6.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

NAU update (5-2, 4-0 Big Sky): The Lumberjacks head into Homecoming weekend with a five-game win streak and the lead in the Big Sky Conference. Quarterback Case Cookus went 204 pass attempts without throwing an interception before being picked off in the first quarter of last week's 45-31 win over UC Davis. NAU has defeated Sacramento State the last three times the teams faced off; if they do it again, the Lumberjacks would have its first six-game win streak since 2013, which was the last time NAU made the FCS playoffs.

Sacramento State update (4-3, 3-1 Big Sky): Redshirt freshman quarterback Roman Ale is coming off his first career start after injuries to the three quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart. Ale didn't disappoint, throwing 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Hornets to their second consecutive victory and third win in the last four games. Sacramento State will try to rid NAU's distinction as the only Big Sky team without a conference loss.

RELATED: Arizonans on NAU football roster - 2017 season

NAU leads Big Sky after win over UC Davis

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Cory Young and Joe Logan each ran for two touchdowns and Northern Arizona took over the top spot in the Big Sky Conference with a 45-31 win over UC Davis on Saturday night.

The Lumberjacks (5-2, 4-0 Big Sky) are the only team without a conference loss following Eastern Washington’s 46-28 loss at Southern Utah.

NAU took control in the second quarter with four unanswered touchdowns. Young scored on runs of 43 and 4 yards for a 14-7 lead and Case Cookus added touchdown passes to Elijah Marks and Hunter Burton.

Logan scored from a yard out to push the NAU lead to 35-7 early in the second half before the Aggies got a 100-yard kick-off return for a touchdown by Namane Modise to kickstart a 17-point third quarter comeback to cut their deficit to 11, 35-24.

Logan scored from the 2 to make it 45-24 in the fourth quarter.

-- Associated Press

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona vs. UC Davis

When: 4 p.m.

Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff.

TV: CW6.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

NAU update: Northern Arizona (4-2, 3-0 Big Sky) checks in at No. 22 in the latest FCS Coaches Poll. ... The Lumberjacks have won four games in a row after an 0-2 start. The winning streak started right after long-time coach Jerome Souers announced he would step down at the end of the season. ... NAU has won three of the last four meetings in this series. ... NAU is seeking its first five-game winning streak since 2013, also the last time NAU made the FCS playoffs. ... NAU QB Case Cookus has a streak of 195 pass attempts without throwing an interception. 

UC Davis update: UC Davis (3-3, 1-2) is in its first year under former Boise State and Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins. Hawkins played at UC Davis. ...  every opponent that the Aggies have faced this season was ranked or receiving votes. ... UC Davis has the No. 2 pass offense in the Big Sky with 351.6 yards per game. Conversely, the Lumberjacks lead the league in pass defense, allowing 188.0 ypg.

Cookus, Young lift NAU over Portland State

Oct. 14, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. - Case Cookus passed for 347 yards and four touchdowns and Cory Young rushed for 109 yards and a score on 13 carries to guide Northern Arizona to a 42-20 victory over Portland State on Saturday.

The Lumberjacks (4-2, 3-0 Big Sky Conference) have won four straight games and are 9-3 all-time at Portland.

Cookus topped 6,000 career passing yards in the win and moved into seventh place on NAU’s all-time list. His 6,221 yards leaves him 73 yards shy of sixth place. The Lumberjacks have posted four straight games of 400-plus yards on offense and five of six games overall.

The Vikings (0-6, 0-4) hung tough in the first half and, after Za’Quan Summers’ 65-yard TD run and two Graycen Kennedy field goals, trailed 14-13.

But NAU scored 28 straight points in the second half to pull away. Cookus had scoring strikes to four different receivers.

Summers finished with 104 yards on 10 carries for PSU, while Josh Kraght added 94 yards rushing and 152 more passing with two interceptions.

– Associated Press

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona at Portland State

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Providence Park, Portland, Oregon.

TV: Pluto.TV (Channel 232)

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

NAU update: Last week, the Lumberjacks (3-2) defeated No. 11 Illinois State,  a team that had been undefeated prior to the contest. Now ranked No. 24, NAU has won three in a row after starting the season 0-2. In those three games, quarterback Case Cookus has thrown for 1,057 yards and 10 touchdowns. If NAU wins this week, they'll be 4-2 for the first time since 2013.

PSU update: As strong has Cookus has played the last three weeks, PSU (0-5) has faced inconsistency from the quarterback position since starter Jalani Eason went down with an injury in week two against Oregon State. Since that 35-32 loss, he and Josh Kraght have split time and seen limited success; this season, Eason has thown 46.9 percent with 397 yards, five touchdowns and a 46.9 percent completion rate. Kraght has thrown 641 yards and three touchdowns with a 47.7 percent completion rate.

Cookus shines in NAU win

FLAGSTAFF - Case Cookus threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns and caught a pass for another score as Northern Arizona stunned previously unbeaten Illinois State 37-16 on Saturday.

With the score knotted at 6-6 in the second quarter, Cookus moved the Lumberjacks (3-2) 75 yards in seven plays and capped the drive with a 32-yard scoring strike to Elijah Marks with 29 seconds left to give NAU a 13-7 halftime lead. On their first possession of the second half, Cookus drove the Lumberjacks 80 yards in five plays and connected with Wallace Gonzalez from 21 yards out for a 20-7 lead. NAU stretched the lead to 27-6 when Cookus caught a pass from Chance Brewington for a 23-yard score. Cookus added his final scoring pass in the fourth quarter, connecting with Cory Young from 23 yards out.

It was the third straight win for the Jacks, who beat a Missouri Valley Conference opponent for the first time since 2013.

Illinois State (4-1) had only allowed three touchdowns through its first four games and was the second-ranked defense in FCS in yards allowed at 166.5 per game. The Lumberjacks finished with 431 yards on offense, the fourth time in five game they’ve topped the 400 mark.

Sean Slattery kicked field goals of 32, 51 and 38 yards for the Redbirds.

-- Associated Press

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona vs. Illinois State

When: 4 p.m.

Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff.

TV: FSAZ Plus.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

ISU update: The Redbirds (4-0) have outscored opponents 147-35 this season and have yet to allow more than 13 points in a game. ... Last week, against Indiana State, senior wide receiver Christian Gibbs had five receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns - one for 54 yards, and one for 77. ... This will be the first time ISU and NAU football have ever played each other.

NAU update: The Lumberjacks (2-2) are coming off consecutive wins, marking the ninth time in 10 years that the school has begun a season 2-2. ... Last week, NAU blew out Northern Colorado 48-20 behind sophomore quarterback Case Cookus' 271 yards and three touchdowns and 118 yards rushing from sophomore running back Joe Logan on only 16 carries. ... The game against ISU will be NAU's Hall of Fame game and Family Weekend. 

Sept. 30, 2017

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Case Cookus threw for three scores, ran for another and Elijah Marks had a 100-yard kickoff return and Northern Arizona rolled to a 48-20 win over Northern Colorado on Saturday night.

Taylor Powell also had an 85-yard interception return for the Lumberjacks (2-2, 2-0 Big Sky Conference). Cookus hit Jonathan Baldwin for 9 yards, Marks for 21 and William Morehand for 10 before the Bears (2-2, 1-1) got a touchdown late in the first half to trail 20-7.

Trae Riek scored on a 7-yard run on the first possession of the third quarter to pull the Bears within 20-14 but Marks took the kickoff back.

In addition to forcing three turnovers, NAU had five sacks.

Joe Logan rushed for 118 yards on 16 carries and Marks finished with 106 yards on seven receptions.

-- Associated Press

Sept. 29, 2017

Saturday's game

Northern Arizona vs. Northern Colorado

When: 4 p.m.

Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

UNC update: The Bears (2-1) won its Big Sky opener last Saturday on a field goal as time expired to defeat Idaho State, 43-42 at home. Kicker Collin Root was named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week. ... UNC is averagine 35 points per game this season. ... the Bears' Sept. 9 game at Florida was cancelled by Irma.

NAU update: The Lumberjacks (1-2) avoided its first 0-3 start since 1971 with a 28-10 road win over Cal Poly last week. ... NAU forced four turnovers in the win. Junior Wes Sutton was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week. He had seven tackles, two of them for a loss and intercepted a late pass in the endzone to end a Cal Poly drive. ... Saturday's game will be the 18th meeting, with the Lumberjacks leading the all-time series 14-3.

Case Cookus tosses 4 touchdowns in NAU's win over Cal Poly

Sept. 23, 2017

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Case Cookus threw for 406 yards and four touchdowns to lead Northern Arizona to a 28-10 win over Cal Poly in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams Saturday night.

Elijah Marks hauled in two of the touchdown passes, a 12-yarder for the game’s first score and a 7-yard grab in the third quarter, and finished with a career-high 206 yards on 14 receptions. Jonathan Baldwin snagged a 16-yard TD throw and Matthew Kempton had a 2-yard scoring catch.

Northern Arizona (1-2) was held to just 61 yards rushing but dominated the passing game as Cookus went 35 of 46 with no interceptions.

Cal Poly got a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter and then was held scoreless until the final minute of the game when Khaleel Jenkins found J.J. Koski for a 60-yard touchdown pass to set the final score.

– Associated Press

NAU heads to Cal Poly seeking first win of season

Sept. 22, 2017

After a week off, Northern Arizona (0-2) will look to get the first win of the season under its belt against Cal Poly (0-3) on Saturday.

Cal Poly's offense, which is predicated on the running game, suffered a massive loss in Week 2 when fullback Joe Protheroe went down with a knee injury. Protheroe, who rushed for 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, is out for the season.

In his place steps senior Jared Mohamed, averaging 4.6 yards per carry this season. Quarterback Khaleel Jenkins is also active in the run game, averaging more than 56 yards on the ground per contest.

Jenkins has struggled through the air, though, only completing 44.2 percent of his passes and throwing for just 360 yards in three games.

NAU quarterback Case Cookus has been somewhat better, completing 53.4 percent of his throws and averaging 263.5 yards per game. NAU's offense is averaging 420 yards per game.

Saturday's game

NAU at Cal Poly

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Alex G. Spanos Stadium, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Case Cookus.

NAU, Souers announce they will part ways following season

Sept. 11, 2017

After opening the season with two straight losses, Northern Arizona and longtime football coach Jerome Souers announced during a news conference Monday that they would part ways following the 2017 season.

The Lumberjacks (0-2) suffered a 62-24 blowout loss to Arizona on Sept. 2 and dropped a 38-20 decision to Western Illinois on Saturday in Flagstaff.

However, despite the team's poor start to the season, NAU's Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Lisa Campos said the decision was premeditated and not due to lackluster play.

"We decided to make the decision today because it's important that we celebrate the 20 years Jerome has given to the institution, athletic department, student athletes and the community," Campos said during the press conference.

Last season, NAU was picked to win the Big Sky conference and finished seventh and just 5-6 overall. The Lumberjacks were picked to finish third in 2017.

In the midst of his 20th season as head coach, Souers has compiled a 112-105 overall record since joining NAU in 1998. He led the Lumberjacks to four FCS playoff appearances (most recently in 2013) as well as a Big Sky championship in 2003. He was named Big Sky Coach of the Year in 1999.

Despite the announcement, Souers said his team's focus remains the same.

"Everything we've worked so hard to achieve will be put to the test — win a Big Sky championship," Souers said. "This is a very special team and we remain committed."

Souers, 59, had stops with Western Washington (1984), Portland State ('85) and Montana ('86-97) before taking his first head coaching gig in Flagstaff.

NAU signed the longtime coach to a four-year extension in 2014 that expires in January 2018. He is the winningest coach in Big Sky history.

"I've been blessed with so many fond memories on and off the field," Souers said. "It's been a heck of a ride, no better way than to finish it on the right note."

NAU falls drops home opener to Western Illinois

Sept. 9, 2017

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Sean McGuire threw for one touchdown and ran for another as Western Illinois led all the way to a 38-20 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday night.

McGuire threw for 210 yards for the Leathernecks (2-0). Max Norris ran for 103 yards and a score. Jaelon Acklin ran for 65 yards and a touchdown and had 101 receiving yards and another score.

Acklin scored on a 63-yard run two plays into the Leathernecks' first drive. Sam Crosa kicked a 27-yard field goal with 9:12 left in the second quarter and Norris scored from the 1 to lift Western Illinois to a 17-7 lead at halftime.

In the third, Eric Carrera recovered a Case Cookus fumble and ran it in for another Leathernecks score to make it 24-7. McGuire hit Acklin for a 38-yard touchdown, stretching it to 31-13 with 5:50 left in the third.

Cookus was 18-of-35 for 221 yards and two touchdowns for the Lumberjacks (0-2).

NAU opens home schedule vs. W. Ill.

Northern Arizona opens it home schedule on Saturday against Western Illinois at the Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.

The Lumberjacks will look to bounce back from a 62-24 loss to Arizona last week. 

NAU (1-0) was picked to win the Big Sky Conference last season but finished 5-6. This week, Western Illinois gives NAU a chance to right the ship.

The game will likely come down to the effectiveness of each team's run defense. Last week, Tennessee Tech's rushing attack gained only 40 yards against the Western Illinois defense; with sack totals included, that number dropped to zero.

Western Illinois rushed for 298 total yards on 56 attempts, only attempting 22 passes.

NAU had two 100-yard rushers against Arizona, but they gave up 516 yards on the ground.

Saturday's game

Western Illinois at NAU

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff.

TV: FSAZ Plus.

Radio: Money Radio 1510 AM and 105.3 FM.

Western Illinois: The Fighting Leathernecks garnered 55 votes in the latest FCS Coaches Poll, the first team just outside the Top 25 rankings (NAU received 4 votes). ... this is the first time since 1935 that WIU opened the season with three road games. ... Junior linebacker Quentin Moon was selected Defensive Player of the Week in the Missouri Valley Football Conference after he had 10 tackles, including a career-high 3 1/2 sacks in last week's win.

NAU: This is the first of six home games in 2017 for the Lumberbacks. ... NAU lost to Western Illinois 34-20 last season. ... NAU had a 300-yard passer (Case Cookus) and two 100-yard rushers (Cory Young, Joe Logan) in the game at Arizona last Saturday. ... NAU posted 562 yards of total offense, its highest total since at least 2000 against an FBS opponent.

Arizona routs NAU in season opener

Sept. 2, 2017

Michael Lev, Arizona Daily Star

TUCSON – Big plays and misplays. Signs of hope and cause for concern.

In a way, the Arizona Wildcats’ season opener Saturday night was everything it was expected to be. The young guys showed playmaking promise. The defense is still a work in progress. The offense isn’t all the way there yet. And the special teams, well, they might be appreciably better.

The UA’s 62-24 victory over Northern Arizona in front of an announced crowd of 43,620 featured all of the above and more. After an uneven start, the Wildcats pulled away and cruised to their 13th straight victory over the Lumberjacks. It was also Arizona’s 17th straight win in a home opener.

Did the Wildcats show enough to inspire confidence that they can beat Houston next week? It probably depends on whom you ask.

Optimists will point to the explosiveness of the offense and the opportunistic nature of the defense – compliments rarely applicable to either last season.

Five of Arizona’s first six touchdowns covered at least 43 yards: Shun Brown’s 66-yard punt return, Nick Wilson’s 46-yard run, Tony Ellison’s 43-yard reception, Tyrell Johnson’s 55-yard end-around and Brandon Dawkins’ 66-yard run.

Dawkins, starting his first career opener, rushed for a pair of scores. He finished with 92 yards on the ground and 89 through the air – the second consecutive time his rushing yardage exceeded his passing output. Dawkins exited midway through the third quarter with Arizona leading 48-14.

Both games ended in UA victories. But the passing game will need to progress for the Wildcats to defeat superior opponents.

It helps when other aspects of the team do their part. The defense – featuring three freshman starters and several others who rotated in – looked leaky at times. But it also produced three takeaways. Arizona forced 14 turnovers all of last season and had more than one in a game only three times.

One of the freshmen, defensive end Kylan Wilborn, helped turn the tide in the first quarter. With the score tied 7-7, Wilborn sacked NAU quarterback Case Cookus and forced him to fumble. Finton Connolly recovered the ball.

Five plays later, Wilson raced 46 yards to the end zone to put Arizona up 14-7. The Wildcats wouldn’t trail the rest of the way.

Veteran safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles made sure the Lumberjacks wouldn’t rally. On the first scrimmage play of the second quarter, Flannigan-Fowles intercepted Cookus at the 1-yard line. Later in the quarter, Flannigan-Fowles picked off Cookus again.

Flannigan-Fowles, a junior from Tucson, became the first Wildcat to record multiple interceptions in a game since Tra’Mayne Bondurant in 2013. Cookus entered Saturday with a career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 50-6.

The youthful defense allowed 203 yards in a shaky first quarter – but only 359 over the final three.

Takeaways were rare last year; game-changing special-teams plays were even rarer. One big play in the first quarter suggested things might be different in that area this season.

With no score in the first quarter, junior Shun Brown fielded a 50-yard punt from Luis Aguilar. Brown eluded a handful of Lumberjacks, then broke to the right, where a wall had formed. Sixty-six yards later, he had Arizona’s first touchdown of this season and its first punt-return TD since Nate Phillips had one in 2015.

The 66-yard score doubled Arizona’s longest return, punt or kickoff, from last season. It also exceeded – by 10 yards – the Wildcats’ season-long punt-return output from 2016.

Although he’s an important member of the offense, Brown relishes the opportunity to return kicks.

“Nate did it,” Brown said during training camp. “They stick me out there, I’m gonna do my part.”

“Shun wants to get the ball in his hands,” UA coach Rich Rodriguez said. “He’s as hard a working guy as we’ve had in this program. We’ve got to get him some touches.”

Brown also predicted the special-teams units – now under the direction of first-year coordinator Brian Knorr – would be “great” this season, saying: “There’s going to be a lot of plays made this year.”

Freshman Lucas Havrisik’s contributions Saturday night don’t exactly count as “plays,” but they helped as well. Havrisik kicked off 10 times. The first nine resulted in touchbacks.

Dawkins yielded to Khalil Tate in the third quarter. The sophomore rushed for 62 yards before leaving because of an apparent injury. Rodriguez inserted his son, Rhett Rodriguez, who scored Arizona’s final touchdown on a 1-yard run.

By the time it was over, the Wildcats had surpassed 500 rushing yards for the second consecutive game. Between Saturday night and the 2016 Territorial Cup, Arizona amassed 1,017 yards on the ground.

Case Cookus, NAU look to beat expectations in 2017

Aug. 26, 2017

For the Northern Arizona University football team, expectations have provided a tumultuous relationship.

One one hand, having three players named to the 2017 preseason all-conference team circulated a lot of positive buzz throughout summer practices in Flagstaff. But on the other hand, the Lumberjacks finished just 5-6 after being picked to win the Big Sky in 2016.

Last year, preseason rankings made NAU look worse than they were. And as a result, predictions were lukewarm for this season. But for the Lumberjacks, it’s a matter of controlling what they can control.

Under head coach Jerome Souers, who enters his 20th season at the helm, NAU is tabbed to finish third in the conference this season. One of the biggest wildcards will be quarterback Case Cookus, who missed seven games last season due to a broken collarbone.

“We finished 5-6 last year, which was around middle-of-the-pack so (finishing third) could be a little high when you compare it to our last season,” Cookus said. “I was hurt, so I don’t know how much that factored into the decision. But we don’t care about that. We’re really focused on going week-to-week and hopefully winning the Big Sky.”

After winning freshman of the year honors following the 2015 campaign, Cookus shattered his clavicle in NAU’s first conference game of the season last year vs. Eastern Washington. Although he was forced to the sideline for the rest of 2016, the Southern California native feels he has developed a more well-rounded knowledge of the game.

“Once I was able to come back from surgery, I learned a lot helping the quarterbacks, being up in the booth, and just helping in any way I could,” Cookus said. “I saw the game from a different perspective. Everything is a learning experience.”

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Although he wasn’t named to the preseason all-conference team, Cookus was one of two Lumberjacks named as a player to watch in contention for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

And because the NCAA granted back his second year of eligibility, Cookus jokes that he’s “probably the oldest sophomore in Big Sky history.”

Regardless, the quarterback just wants to ignore the haze of preseason accolades and take a week-by-week approach to 2017. First up is a Sept. 2 date with the University of Arizona in Tucson.

“A win is a win, so it would be great to get a win,” Cookus said of the Week 1 matchup. “But it’s one of those things where we want to come out and have a great game. We want to do what we do -- go fast, score points and create turnovers on defense. Whatever happens, happens. But we’re really focused on going week-to-week and hopefully winning the Big Sky.”

The Lumberjacks have other tough non-conference home bouts with Western Illinois (Sept. 9) and Illinois State (Oct. 7).

“It’s a tough schedule, a challenging schedule,” Souers said. “But it’s one that fits the mentality of this team and I think we’re up for the challenge.

“Our program goals are always a championship in the conference and then playoffs. You need to play well enough throughout the course of the season to get in,” he said. “It’s just really important for us to play well.”

The three players named to the preseason all-conference team were wide receiver Emmanuel Butler, offensive lineman Tyler Shank, and placekicker Griffin Roehler.

Butler, a Phoenix native, is just 597 yards away from breaking the all-time NAU receiving record, and the senior has already established a new single-season mark in receiving yards (1,208) and is just three touchdown receptions away from setting a new school record. He was also named to the Walter Payton Award watch list.

A senior and graduate of Chandler High, Shank was named second-team all-conference after the 2016 season. He guarded the line for a Lumberjacks squad that amassed 5,230 yards of total offense last season.

A standout kicker at Agua Fria High in Avondale, Roehler is a sophomore and second-year starting kicker for NAU. He made 44 of 45 point-after-touchdown attempts and connected on 13 of 16 field goals last season with a long of 40 yards.

In addition to a talented freshman class, the Lumberjacks feel as though they have the potential to make some noise in 2017. With an experienced coach in Souers, a chip-on-the-shoulder quarterback in Cookus -- and a proven group of playmakers around him -- the temperate expectations this season could pay dividends.

“Obviously our goal is to win the Big Sky … but we want to have a successful season, make the playoffs and make a run at that championship,” Cookus said. “We think we have the caliber of team that can do that. We’ve got to be consistent through those four quarters, and if we can do that no one can stop us.”