FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – True freshman running back Zach Bauman, a Chandler Hamilton product, had 167 yards and four touchdowns in his collegiate debut to help Northern Arizona post a 48-0 victory over Western New Mexico in front of 7,142 fans at the Walkup Skydome on Thursday.

"I am happy with (the win)," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "There are things we can work on absolutely. It is good to get a win by that kind of margin and be able to play that many guys and be able to assess the true weaknesses you have and need to work on. You come away with a feeling this team is going to be pretty good when it is all said and done."

NAU won its 17^th consecutive home opener in impressive fashion behind the running of Bauman, who recorded 167 yards on 22 carries for a 7.6 per carry average. He scored on runs of 10, 1, 2 and 66 yards to record the best debut by a freshman under Head Coach Jerome Souers in his 13-season tenure.

"We new we had to get some production out of our freshmen," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "It allowed us to rest Gionvannie Dixon and get him back full speed." Dixon, a sophomore, sat out the contest.

Senior quarterback Michael Herrick had a solid debut, going 15-for-25 for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

The Lumberjacks scored on their opening two drives of the game to jump out to a 14-0 advantage early in the contest. Bauman scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 10-yard run to cap a 73-yard opening drive. After a three-and-out by the Mustangs, NAU went 71 yards on four plays, scoring on a 28-yard pass from Herrick to senior wideout Daiveun Curry-Chapman.

NAU scored three more time in the second quarter on a pair of Bauman runs and a 15-yard pass play from Herrick to Mike Czyz. Bauman capped his night with a 66-yard run from scrimmage for his fourth touchdown on the night to put NAU up 42-0 with 2:16 left in the third quarter. Junior kicker Matt Myers connected on two field goals in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.

NAU is off for nine days before traveling to Tempe on Sept. 11 to face in-state rival Arizona State in the first of four consecutive road games.

DID YOU KNOW… The Northern Arizona women's soccer team has advanced to the NCAA Women's College Cup each of the last two seasons, winning back-to-back Big Sky Conference Tournament titles.