FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team played despite snow last April during spring practice so a little smoke was no problem on Monday. The Lumberjacks practiced on the outside practice fields for over two hours with smoke from the Taylor fire hovering over the field.

Athletic trainer Ryan Pinson and his staff monitored the situation, especially for players with asthma. Coach Souers called off the conditioning at the end of practice but overall it was pretty normal.

“It is definitely harder to breath,” said senior linebacker Anthony Llanos. “But we have to focus on practicing and not let stuff distract us like the smoke. We are going to get thru it and we have another day tomorrow.”

More Taylor Fire: A news crew from Channel 12 in Phoenix made an appearance at practice Monday, interviewing tight end Shaun Fitzpatrick and quarterback Chase Stangel. The subject was the smoke. But they caught a nice touchdown pass in the end zone from Stangel on camera.

Start the Hype: The Ole Miss game is 79 days away but Coach Souers did his first interview Monday with the newspaper in Oxford, Miss., for their season preview edition. The Rebels are ranked No. 6 in the Sports Illustrated Preseason issue on newsstands.

Taylor Made Defense: With the graduation of K.J. Gerard, the Lumberjacks are looking to fill a cornerback position held by the All-American for the last four years. He is now in camp with the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL.

Junior college transfers Taelor Worrell and Davion Dumas have joined returnees Josh Luck, Raphael Mack and Conrad White in a group competing for the two cornerback positions.

“It helps having some guys with playing experience” said assistant coach Andy LaRussa. “You can never really replace a guy like K.J. He added some great numbers and did a heck of job for the team last year. I think as a group we can do it by committee. We have great competition right now and the cream will rise to the top.”

Worrell has been impressive in his first week on the Flagstaff campus.

“Taelor has done a great job,” said LaRussa. “He has come out and worked hard everyday. He brings great presence out here. He has a great attitude and flys around with a lot of energy. He brings a good dynamic to the group.”

A transfer from Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Calif., he earned second-team all-conference honors while recording 41 tackles with two interceptions, a quarterback sack and four pass deflections last season.

“It is good to be out here competing,” said Worrell. “That is what I have been looking to do. I just want compete for a spot.”

Including Worrell, the secondary has four players with the first name of Taylor. If you call out Taylor, you could get Worrell or safeties Taylor Julio, Taylor Malenfant or Taylor Patton turning their heads.

It could lead to some interesting film sessions but some nicknames have started to develop to help the cause.

“For Taylor Julio we have TJ and for Taylor Patton we have TP,” said Worrell. “The other one is just Taylor and I am just Taelor. We have not got nicknames yet but we are getting there.”