FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Senior running back Alex Henderson rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 24 Northern Arizona to a 40-12 victory over Idaho State on Homecoming. The Lumberjacks won for the fourth consecutive game in front of a crowd of 9,687 at the Walkup Skydome.

“For four weeks in a row, I am pleased with our football team,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “We are clearly not where we need to be with certain aspects of our game. We are thankful to come off a win with a lot of things to improve on.”

NAU improved to 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in Big Sky Conference play, while the Bengals dropped to 0-8, 0-5 in league play.

Henderson gained 7.8 yards per carry on 17 carries for 132 yards, recording his third 100-yard rushing game of the season and 10th of his career. He scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter when the Lumberjacks pulled away from Idaho State with 20 points.

“I am very excited about our offense continuing to be productive,” said Souers. “We were patient today and we took the things that they were giving us. They had a good plan but we had too many weapons for them to manage.”

ISU had an early lead after scoring on its first drive of the game capped by an 18-yard pass from Russel Hill to Jaron Taylor for a 7-3 lead. NAU held the Bengals to just five points the rest of the game allowing just a field goal and a fourth-quarter safety in the final minute.

“I was disappointed with how our defense started the game. I thought we picked it up and finished well in the second half,” said Souers.

Senior linebacker Stevon Thomas had a 79-yard interception return, setting up the second field goal of the first half, giving the Lumberjacks a 33-10 lead at halftime. Kicker Matt Myers connected on four field goals in the game to add to the scoring.

Quarterback Michael Herrick went 25-for-38 for 278 with a touchdown in three quarters of action. Backup Chase Stangel went 4-for-6 in the final quarter. Overall, nine different players caught at least one pass led by nine receptions for 104 yards by Conrad Meadows. Ed Berry added seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

NAU travels to Sacramento State next weekend in the first of three consecutive road games including games at Ole Miss of the Southeastern Conference and Weber State. NAU returns home Nov. 21 in the season finale against Eastern Washington.