FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 6, 2019) – The NAU football team practiced inside for the first time this spring as head coach
Chris Ball led the Lumberjacks through drills in the Skydome on Saturday morning.
The workout marked the sixth practice for NAU and saw a sizeable crowd in attendance to check out the team's progress so far this spring season.
The Lumberjacks began with specialized positional drills in the early periods before progressing to combined positional groups and finally an extended team period. Special teams work included punt team repetitions and a number of live field goal opportunities during the team sessions.
The Lumberjacks will return to practice on Tuesday, April 9 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Skydome outdoor practice fields.
All of NAU's spring practice sessions are free and open to the public, including the NAU Spring Football Showcase which is slated for Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. MST.
Highlights
- Senior Tommie Dorsey made a big catch over the middle and senior Joey Gatewood made a diving grab during the group passing session.
- Senior linebacker Taylor Powell hauled in an interception after a teammate tipped a pass to highlight the defense in the passing period.
- Senior linebacker Tristen Vance, senior Aaron Andrews and junior Carson Taylor each registered sacks for the defense in the team period.
- Freshman running back Jacob Mpungi snagged a screen pass and took it 80 yards down the sideline for a score.
- Sophomore Riley Langston made a couple of nice receptions in the team session including a touchdown in the red zone on a short out pattern from quarterback Heath Beemiller.
- Junior Elijah Orr and sophomore Anthony Sweeney made a couple key stops during the team period in the secondary.
- Junior Chauntez Thomas displayed some nice penetration at the line of scrimmage on a number of inside running plays.
- Harrison Beemiller recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown for the defense.
- Sophomore Owen Dickens ended practice with a big hit on the final play.
Quotable
Running Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator
Aaron Price
"I really like our running backs. We are going to be a group that gets it done as a committee. We have
Joe Logan, he is a senior and has gained some weight and has a lot of explosion and burst. He will give us the veteran experience. I have really enjoyed working with him.
Aramis Aldredge is coming back and a young
Jacob Mpungi, as well as a couple of other guys that have stepped up. I am really excited about this group. They listen, they learn, they want to win and love to practice. It is an easy group to coach."
"Everyone has to be ready to go. I can look on the sidelines and send a guy in and know he is going to be a good quarterback on the field. We are going to be able to help the quarterbacks gets lined up and know our stuff. I want everyone to know it."
"We have to get lined up as soon as we get tackled and the ball goes to the official. We need to be sprinting and getting lined up. As we are getting in our position we are looking for our signals and helping everyone get lined up to ensure we keep that quick tempo we want."
Up Next
The Lumberjacks return to practice on Tuesday, April 9 at 4 p.m. MST at the Skydome outdoor fields.
All practices are open to the public and free admission.
