NAU Game Stats vs. Northern Colorado (PDF)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Zach Bauman tallied 250 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns to lead Northern Arizona to a 34-14 victory over Northern Colorado Saturday at the Walkup Skydome Saturday afternoon.

"It is a good win for us," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "I thought we had to establish ourselves defensively. We had a good game plan and our players did a good job of executing."

The Lumberjacks won their second consecutive game, improving to 4-5 on the season and 3-4 in Big Sky Conference play. The Bears remained winless at 0-10, 0-7.

Bauman, who had 246 yards rushing last week at Sacramento State, rushed for 124 yards on 28 carries, scoring the first two touchdowns of the game. He added 126 yards receiving on five receptions including a 44-yard touchdown catch from receiver Khalil Paden to complete the scoring for NAU. He has now recorded three games this season of 240 yards or more of total offense in a game.

"Zach Bauman will do whatever it takes to win," said Souers.  "Whether it is coming out of the backfield in the passing game or running the football, there are a lot of ways he can contribute. It was a great effort by him tonight."

Bauman became the first Big Sky player since Weber State's Trevyn Smith to record 100 yard rushing and receiving in the same game. Smith had 119 yards with three touchdowns to go with 120 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a win over Idaho State on Nov. 3, 2007. Bauman is believe to be the second player in NAU history to accomplish the feat, joining David Lang in 1989, who rushed for 189 and had five catches for 112 yards against Nevada on Nov. 18, 1989.

Quarterback Cary Grossart completed 18-for-24 for 264 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

The Lumberjacks scored the first 27 points of the game before allowing two fourth-quarter scores to the Bears when the game was in hand. Bauman scored twice in the first 17 minutes of the game, capping solid offensive drives for the Lumberjacks. Kicker Matt Myers added two field goals in the contest.

After leading 24-0 at the half, Grossart found Ify Umodu for a 19-yard score at the end of a 10-play, 71-yard drive on the first NAU possession of the third quarter.

UNC got on the board with a 15-yard pass from Seth Lobato to Patrick Walker with 12:06 left in the game. Bauman scored his third touchdown of the day on a flee-flicker from Paden, who initially caught a pass from Grossart in the left flat before throwing down the right sideline to streaking Bauman.

"It was one of the greatest catches I have seen a running back make down in the end zone," said Souers. "To finish it and score, it was a tremendous effort."

NAU plays its final road game of the season next week at Weber State, who lost to Montana State on Saturday. The Wildcats are 3-6 on the season and have lost three consecutive games.