SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore running back Zach Bauman rushed for a career-high 246 yards and the go-ahead and eventual winning touchdown in the fourth quarter to help NAU to a 27-26 win over Sacramento State Saturday night at Hornet Stadium.

"At the end of the game we turned the ball over to the offensive line and Zach Bauman and that is where we won it," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "It was a great win for us."

The win snapped a three-game losing streak by the Lumberjacks to improve to 3-5 on the season and 2-4 in Big Sky play. NAU also snapped a three-game losing streak to the Hornets, winning in Sacramento for the first time since 2003.

Bauman surpassed the 2,000-yard mark in his career in the contest, moving into seventh on the career rushing chart with 2,087 yards. It was the 10^th 100-yard rushing game of his career, fourth of the 2011 season and second 200-yard game of the season. The 246 yards was the 11^th-best single game total in school history.

"Zach Bauman was a man," said Souers. "He was an unbelievable runner today. "They threw everything at us and he kept running. He played with great heart and character and his line, tight ends and fullbacks did a great job. I could not be prouder of a young man than I am of Zach tonight."

Bauman scored on a 1-yard run with 8:50 left in the fourth quarter, giving NAU a 27-20 lead. The Hornets marched back down the field on a 8-play, 73 yard drive with 4:53 left but the tying extra-point attempt was blocked by senior Dan Pela.

It was the second blocked PAT of the half for the Lumberjacks. Blayne Anderson also got a piece of Jason Diniz extra-point on the first score of the third quarter.

"The blocked kicks were huge for us," said Souers.

The Lumberjacks ran out the clock to seal the victory.

"It is a huge win for us," said Bauman. "We have had our ups and downs this season. It was important tp start the end of our season with a win like this."

NAU led at the half but entered the final quarter tied at 20. The Hornets scored the first points of the third quarter on a Brandyn Reed 24-yard reception.

Matt Myers added two field goals in the contest.

The game did not start off great for Grossart, who grew up in nearby Granite Bay, Calif., and played at Folsom High School. His first pass of the game was tipped and picked off by Kyle Mannon, who returned it for a 49-yard touchdown. The Hornets were poised to go up by two scores before a fumble halted a drive inside the Lumberjack 10. Anders Battle forced the turnover and Taylor Malenfant returned it down the right sideline.

The turnover changed the early momentum of the game. The Lumberjacks scored four plays later on a 44-yard burst by Bauman to tie the game. They went ahead again on a 13-yard pass from Garrett Safron to Sam McCowan to cap a 76-yard drive.

The Lumberjacks scored the final 10 points of the half, getting a 28-yard field goal from Matt Myers and 24-yard touchdown from Grossart to Paden to take a 17-14 advantage.

NAU secured the halftime lead with an interception by Mike Dosen to end the half in the Lumberjack end zone.

"Each week we have been getting better but not getting paid with a win," said Souers. "This has been a tough team for us and I proud of how we played tonight."

The Lumberjacks return home next Saturday to host Northern Colorado at 3:05 p.m. in the Walkup Skydome. The game can be seen on Fox College Sports and heard on the Lumberjack Radio Network on 105.1 FM The Big Talker.