FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University football team is ranked by three Football Championship Subdivsion polls announced Monday, the first national ranking for the program in four seasons. The Lumberjacks are listed at No. 24 by The Sports Network, the FCS Coaches Poll and AnyGivenSunday.com.

“We are excited to receive the national recognition from the coaches and media,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “But we need to continue to get better as a team in all phases of the game to earn the ranking and be considered one of the top 25 teams in the country.”

It is the first national ranking for the Lumberjacks since Oct. 9, 2004 when NAU was listed at No. 14 before a loss at Eastern Washington.

NAU has won three consecutive games overall after starting the season with a loss at nationally-ranked and FBS opponent Arizona State. The 3-1 start equals the four-game mark of the 2003 team and the Lumberjacks will be attempting a fourth consecutive win for the first time since a five-game streak in 2003.

The Lumberjacks lead the nation in total offense at 475.5 yards per game and rushing defense at 9.0 yards per game, while leading the Big Sky Conference in eight statistical categories.

NAU plays at home for the first time since Sept. 6 and starts a stretch of three home games over four weeks during the month of October this week with a game against Sacramento State. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. on Saturday.

Sports Network's FCS College Football Poll
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. James Madison (84) 2,684
2. Appalachian State 2,528
3. Montana (16) 2,455
4. McNeese State (1) 2,360
5. New Hampshire (3) 1,976
6. Richmond 1,733
7. Elon 1,653
8. Cal Poly 1,337
9. Wofford 1,242
10. Northern Iowa 1,228
11. Eastern Washington 1,206
12. The Citadel 1,193
13. Southern Illinois 1,155
14. Villanova 1,117
15. Furman (1) 1,043
16. Delaware 935
17. North Dakota State 855
18. Massachusetts 784
19. Central Arkansas 703
20. Liberty 687
21. Western Illinois 681
22. Jacksonville State 650
23. South Dakota State 559
24. Northern Arizona 548
25. Brown 481

FCS Coaches Poll
Team (1st Votes) Points
1. James Madison (23) 671
2. Montana (4) 638
3. Appalachian State 621
4. McNeese State 572
5. New Hampshire 517
6. North Dakota State 493
7. Richmond 477
8. Cal Poly 470
9. Wofford 421
10. Northern Iowa 397
11. Southern Illinois 390
12. Massachusetts 376
13. Eastern Washington 347
14. Delaware 344
15. Elon 305
16. Villanova 303
17. Furman 268
18. South Dakota State 218
19. Central Arkansas 197
20. The Citadel 152
21. Liberty 131
22. Western Illinois 129
23. Jacksonville State 78
24. Northern Arizona 44
25. Eastern Illinois 40