NAU-Idaho State Game Statistics (PDF)

Photo by Matt Thompson

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team opened Big Sky Conference play in impressive fashion with a 32-7 victory over Idaho State, spoiling the Homecoming for the Bengals.

The Lumberjacks won for the sixth consecutive time in the series against Idaho State, improving to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Sky play.

The Lumberjack defense had big plays all afternoon, including a quarterback sack for a safety and an interception by Taylor Julio stopping a Bengal drive deep in NAU territory in the third quarter. NAU held the Bengals to just 37 yards rushing and 151 total yards of offense.

Senior Matt Estrada sealed the game in the third quarter with a fumble recovery on a punt deep inside ISU territory, setting up a score that pushed the lead to 29-0 late in the quarter.

Quarterback Michael Herrick had a solid afternoon, completing 21-for-36 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. He completed passes to eight different receivers on the day led by Daiveun Curry-Chapman, who had six receptions for 65 yards. Freshman Zach Bauman led the rushing attack with 112 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown.

The Lumberjack defense held Idaho State to 60 yards in the first half, holding the Bengals scoreless. The Lumberjacks scored on its opening drive of the game, getting points on a 20-yard field goal by Matt Myers after a time-consuming drive that took more than half of the quarter.  Leading 3-0 going into the second quarter, Idaho State started moving the ball but was stopped on a fourth and two on the NAU 33 on a key tackle by Scott McKeever. NAU then moved the ball behind four straight runs by Giovannie Dixon.  Freshman Zach Bauman provided the big play of the drive, converting a fourth down and 1 with a 20-yard scamper the setup the score. The Lumberjacks scored on the next play on a 25-yard pass from Herrick to Mike Czyz for a touchdown.

Junior Isaac Bond sacked ISU quarterback Russel Hill for a safety later in the quarter and Myers added his second field goal right before the half to push the lead to 15-0.

NAU scored twice again in the second half and Myers added his third field goal of the game. Bauman scored on a 4-yard run to cap a 10-play, 72-yard drive on the first drive of the second half. Former basketball player Nick Larson then recorded his first career touchdown on a 3-yard pass from Herrick to extend the lead to 29-0.

The Lumberjacks lost the shut out bid when ISU scored with 2:41 left in the game after a NAU fumble.

NAU plays its final non-conference game next week, traveling to Cedar City, Utah, to face Southern Utah. It will mark the third consecutive road game for the Lumberjacks.