MISSOULA, Mont. (November 4, 2017) – Freshman
Stone Smartt rushed for a touchdown with 50 seconds left in regulation to get the No. 9 Northern Arizona football team to within 17-15, but the ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed as the Lumberjacks were edged at Montana on Saturday.
NAU sophomore quarterback
Case Cookus was ejected after a targeting call following a block at the 7:34 mark of the first quarter. He was replaced by Smartt, who finished 12-of-25 overall through the air while totaling 99 yards and a touchdown. He also added 48 rushing yards.
"I thought at times we played really well," NAU head coach
Jerome Souers said. "It is a tough place to play for a true freshman, but I am proud of my team. They battled until the end."
The loss snaps a six -game winning streak for the Lumberjacks, whose overall record drops to 6-3. The setback also marked the first defeat against a Big Sky opponent for NAU this season as it now sits at 5-1 in league action. Montana moves to 6-3 and 4-2 in the Big Sky with the victory.
The Lumberjacks opened the game's scoring as sophomore
Griffin Roehler connected on a 30-yard field to give NAU an early 3-0 edge with 4:51 left in the opening quarter.
The lead was short lived however as Montana's Jerry Louis-McGee returned a Northern Arizona punt up the middle of the field 48 yards for a score to give the Grizzlies a 7-3 advantage with 1:28 left in the first.
Smartt answered by directing an eight-play, 65-yard scoring drive that he capped off with his first career touchdown pass connecting with
Nate Stinson from 10 yards out. The following extra point was blocked to keep the score at 9-7 with 7:39 remaining in the second quarter.
Following a fumble by Northern Arizona running back
Cory Young, Makena Sims hit Justin Calhoun with a 33-yard strike to bring the Grizzlies to the NAU three-yard line. Alijah Lee punched it in from one-yard out two plays later to give Montana a 14-9 with 4:47 left in the third.
Montana added a 34-yard field goal by Brandon Purdy with 4:21 left in regulation after a NAU personal foul penalty got it within kicking range.
Defensively, the Lumberjacks were tough from the outset and throughout as they limited the Grizzlies to just one offensive touchdown, a total of 218 yards, including just 44 passing yards and 12 first downs. Kam'Ron Johnson,
Byron Evans and
Damahny Whittle paced the defense as each posted nine tackles.
Sophomore
Joe Logan led the Lumberjacks on the ground with a team-high 75 yards on 14 carries. Simis led the Grizzlies with 101 yards rushing while adding 44 passing yards (6-of-15).
The officials tagged the 'Jacks with a total of 10 penalties, including five personal foul calls. Montana's defense registered seven sacks in the win.
The Lumberjacks close out the home portion of the regular season schedule on Saturday, Nov. 11 as they host Montana State in a 5 p.m. MST kickoff from the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.
The Big Sky clash between Northern Arizona and Montana State will be televised live on Eleven Sports Network (Suddenlink Channel 455 in Flagstaff) and will also be available via the Lumberjack Radio Network beginning with the pregame show at 4 p.m. MST.
Postgame Notes – at Montana
- Saturday's game marked the 50th all-time meeting between Northern Arizona and Montana in the sport of football.
- Senior wide receiver Elijah Marks started after missing one game due to injury.
- Sophomore Case Cookus was ejected at the 7:34 mark of the first quarter for targeting.
- The NAU defense held Montana to eight yards on eight plays in the first quarter.
- NAU kicker Griffin Roehler missed a 26-yard field goal attempt and had an extra point blocked in Saturday's game at Montana.
- NAU freshman defensive lineman Chauntez Thomas recovered the second fumble of his career in the second quarter at the Montana five-yard line.
- The NAU defense limited the Grizzlies to just three first downs and 59 total yards in the first half.
- Freshman quarterback Stone Smartt entered today's game with one career completion on four attempts for a total of six yards. He completed 12-of-25 passes for 99 yards in Saturday's game at Montana.
- Smartt also had a total of 66 rushing yards entering today's game with Montana – he finished the 17-15 loss at Montana with 18 carries for 46 yards.
- Montana was limited to zero passing yards until the 11:13 of the third quarter when Makena Simis hit Jerry Louie-Mcgee for a seven-yard gain.
- Northern Arizona was tagged for 10 penalties for a total loss of 89 yards.
