NAU vs. Idaho State Game Stats (PDF)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Sophomore running back Zach Bauman rushed for a career-high 219 yards and the Lumberjack defense held the nation's top passing unit to just 171 yards and no touchdowns in a 20-3 victory Saturday in front of a Family Weekend crowd of 9,304 at the Walkup Skydome.

"We knew we were going to get to rush the passer," said Isaac Bond. "It is what we wanted to do and it is what we did. When you hit the quarterback a lot, it affects his follow thru and I don't think his completion percentage was very good."

Bond and his teammates recorded 10 sacks, holding Idaho State quarterback Kevin Yost to just 163 yards on a 20-for-30 night with one pick. Yost led the Football Championship Subdivision in passing yards per game with an average of 394.3 and was also first in total offense with an average of 405.5 yards per game entering the contest.

"We prepped a lot for the passing game and wanted to control (Yost)," said Bond.  "We came out really slow last week at Portland State. We have to come out fast like we did."

Bauman tallied a 219 yards, tied for 14^th-best single game total in school history, with a touchdown on a career-high 32 carries. Junior Gionannie Dixon added 83 yards and a touchdown as the Lumberjacks totaled 336 yards on the ground.

"All week we had been stressing the run game a lot," said Bauman. "We were trying to get everything   crisp. We had a great week of practice and I think it showed off. The offensive line was great today."

Quarterback Cary Grossart was 11-for-20 for 149 yards.

Bauman started the scoring with a 59-yard burst on the first play of the second NAU possession for a 7-0 lead. The Lumberjacks forced a fumble on the 1-yard line on the next Bengal drive, ending the scoring threat and converting it into a field goal by Matt Myers after a 7-play, 60-yard drive.

"It was huge for us and was a big momentum swing with the turnover," said Bond. "Anytime you get a turnover in the red zone and prevent and points is huge for the defense."

Dixon accounted for 77 yards including a 60-play score on the first two plays of the second quarter to extend the lead to 17-0.

Idaho State prevented the shutout with a 46-yard field goal by Brendan Garcia with 6:56 in the second quarter but did score again in the contest.

NAU managed just a field goal in the third quarter when Matt Myers connected on a 41-yard attempt, pushing the lead back to 17 points at 20-3.

"We are pleased to get back in the victory column in conference play," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "Coming out of Portland State and coming that close was disappointment for us. I thought we bounced back."

NAU is off next week before hosting defending champion Eastern Washington, who is off to a 0-4 start after a loss at Montana State on Saturday, on Oct. 8.