Postgame Notes 

VERMILLION, S.D. – No. 22/23 Northern Arizona (2-2) was unable to overcome a pair of early interceptions in the first quarter, as they fell to South Dakota 28-21 at the DakotaDome.

"I thought today was a really good ball game," said head coach Jerome Souers. "South Dakota's quarterback did a really good job of turning passes into runs. We needed to tackle better and make more plays."

South Dakota (2-2) took an early 7-0 lead when an interception off the hands of freshman wide receiver Bryant O'Georgia led to a Coyote touchdown six plays later with 9:06 to go in the first.

Interceptions crippled NAU early, as the second one of the day led to another touchdown for South Dakota. The Lumberjacks were able to stop the Coyotes on 3^rd and goal, but South Dakota went for it on fourth down and made their way in for the score and a 14-0 advantage with less than four minutes left in the first quarter.

"We didn't sustain drives like we needed to," said Souers. "I am proud of the way our guys came back in the second half to give us a chance. They continued to fight so there are a lot of positives to build on as we get ready for conference."

By the end of the first quarter NAU held the advantage in third down conversions, but was just one big play away from getting on the scoreboard.

The Lumberjacks struggled in the second quarter, generating only one yard of positive play. The Coyotes took control of the ball, resulting in a pair of made field goals (31 and 22).

The Coyotes took a commanding 20-0 advantage into the half, leading NAU in total yards 220 to 83.

Sophomore nickelback Delvin Batiste got the momentum going for NAU in the third quarter when he recovered a fumbled punt by South Dakota at the 13:17 mark.

NAU used the possession wisely as junior running back Casey Jahn recorded a three-yard touchdown to give the Lumberjacks their first score of the game.

The Lumberjacks moved rather quickly to get their next score of the game, after shutting down the Coyotes and forcing a three-and-out. The drive began with a 48-yard catch by senior wide receiver Ify Umodu, which led to the six-yard score by junior fullback Nick Butier. In all, NAU ran one minute and eight seconds off the clock to cut South Dakota's lead to six points.

Entering the fourth quarter, NAU needed to make a stop and find a way to score in order to earn the comeback win.

The Coyotes rolled over their play series from the previous quarter and recorded a seven-yard touchdown catch. South Dakota faked the PAT and went for the two-point conversion to go up 28-14 with 14:09 left in the game.

Quarterback Chase Cartwright entered the game for NAU midway through the fourth quarter. He finished 4-for-6 with 69 yards. Cartwright dished the ball off to Jahn with 3:39 left to play for a three-yard touchdown and NAU's final score of the game.

"We knew what we had to do entering the game," said junior safety Eddie Horn. "We made some bad plays early and in the second half we were able to correct those mistakes and get back in the game. From here we need to focus on our next game and that starts tomorrow."    

Poe finished 11-for-23 with 174 passing yards and one touchdown. Umodu recorded his first 100-yard receiving game of the season, as he finished with a career-high 152 yards.

Horn led the NAU defense with a career-high 14 tackles. Seniors Randy Hale Jr., Austin Hasquet and Craig Frum all finished the game with 8 tackles, which is a career-high for Hale.

Today was the second meeting between the two meetings, as the series is now split 1-1.

NAU will return to Flagstaff on Saturday, Sept. 27, as it takes on Cal Poly in its Big Sky opener. Kickoff at the Walkup Skydome is set for 4 p.m. The Lumberjacks will be retiring the jersey of Hall of Famer Archie Amerson at halftime. A dinner honoring Amerson will be held on Friday, September 26 at the 1899 Bar and Grill from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $40 per person. You can register for the dinner by contacting Kelli Coffman at kelli.coffman@nau.edu or 928-523-0639.