Boxscore vs. Portland State (PDF)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team finished the 2010 season with offensive explosion sparked by an opportunistic defense en route to a 62-14 win over Portland State in the season final for both teams at the Walkup Skydome.

"I was really proud of the way our football team responded with their last opportunity to play," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "For our seniors and everyone who has been a member of our team to see them step up and put their best foot forward was fun."

Sophomore Giovannie Dixon rushed for 219 yards with two touchdowns on 13 carries, while teammate Zach Bauman notched 152 yards with two touchdowns. Bauman eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the season on his 82-yard scamper early in the third quarter, breaking Alex Henderson's freshman rushing mark.

Michael Herrick went 18-for-22 for 261 yards and four touchdowns aided by a perfect 11-for-11 in the first half for 167 yards and three touchdowns.

NAU started the scoring on their third drive of the game helped by 49 yards by Dixon. Herrick hooked up with Shanks from eight yards out to score first. Senior cornerback Brian Hunter intercepted the first play of the Vikings drive with Bauman punching it in from 17 yards for the 14-0 lead.

The defense forced fumbles on the next three Portland State drives, setting up three straight scores to build the lead to 35-0 at halftime.

"The offense came out with an excellent game plan and I thought we attacked the things they were giving us," said Souers. We were effective running the ball and throwing it today which is the kind of approach we do when we are at our best."

NAU extended the lead in the second half, starting with the 82-yard by Bauman. Herrick connected with Curry-Chapman on a 31-yard strike to extend the lead to 48-0. Portland State got on the board in the fourth quarter but NAU kept pushing in the season finale.

Dixon broke a 75-yard run midway thru the quarter and the Lumberjacks' Brandon Vance blocked a punt that Michael Battisti recovered in the end zone for a touchdown to lead 62-6.

NAU totaled 394 yards on the ground and had 655 yards of total offense in the contest.

The Lumberjacks celebrated the careers of 20 student-athletes before the game.