PORTLAND, Ore. – Northern Arizona (4-3, 2-1 Big Sky) topped Portland State 21-17 to win its first Big Sky road game of the season. The Vikings (2-5, 1-2 Big Sky) were the first to score, but the Lumberjacks recorded a pair of touchdowns in a span of four minutes to take the lead, as they never looked back. 

"When you're on the road in the Big Sky Conference you need contribution from all three phases of the game," said Head Coach Jerome Souers. "I'm really proud of the team. I thought there were some great plays out there. It's tough to come into venues on the road and get a win. The players didn't panic and neither did the coaches. We were able to earn the win today."

In his second start of the season, quarterback Chase Cartwright completed 17-of-35 passes and threw for one touchdown and ran for another to earn his second victory of the year.

After converting on 4^th and 1 on the NAU 13-yard line, Portland State was able to maintain possession, and two plays later it found itself up by a touchdown, while NAU remained scoreless.

The Lumberjacks eased their way into a rhythm, but it was 20-yard catch by true freshman Bryant O'Georgia that got the drive started, and an eight-yard touchdown by running back Casey Jahn with 4:59 left in the second quarter that ended the drive and tied the game at 7-All. 

Less than four minutes later, the NAU defense decided to make some noise. Junior cornerback Marcus Alford robbed the PSU wide receiver when he snatched the ball out of the air and ran it back 67 yards for the pick six. The touchdown was the second of the season for Alford, and the first pick six of the season or NAU.

PSU showed that it was able to run up the field, as Steven Long broke tackles and rushed for 62 yards up the field for the score to tie the game at 14-All with 10:37 to go in the third quarter.

The Lumberjack defense was able to keep the Vikings out of the red zone, but Jonathan Gonzales connected on a 31-yard field goal to regain the lead and go up 17-14 with 4:46 left in the third quarter.

With 12 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, NAU's defense stopped PSU four times in a row, including a 4^th and 1 attempt by the Vikings leaving them scoreless on the drive. 

NAU was able to convert plays into first downs, and eventually make its way into the end zone for the game-winning score. Cartwright scored the three-yard touchdown as he propelled NAU to its first Big Sky road victory of the season. 

"We stuck with the plan and we were able to score," said Cartwright about the game-winning drive. "We were definitely proud of our guys for being able to execute that drive."

Senior linebacker Austin Hasquet tallied six tackles in the first half to finish with 10 to tie for the third-best all time in NAU History. He needs 20 more to break the school record. 

NAU returns home to Flagstaff next week to host Eastern Washington on Oct. 25 for Homecoming. Kickoff at the Walkup Skydome is set for 12:40 p.m. The game will be televised live on ROOT Sports.