TUCSON, Ariz. (September 7, 2019) – Senior quarterback
Case Cookus completed 28-of-48 passes for 373 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to overcome a fast start by the University of Arizona which handed the Lumberjacks a 65-41 setback on Saturday night in Tucson.
Arizona (1-1) came out hot as it scored a touchdown on each of its opening seven possessions in the first half to take a 51-13 advantage into the locker room at the break.
The Lumberjacks pushed back over the final 30 minutes as they outscored the Wildcats 28-14 in the second half.
The 41 points scored by NAU marked the highest total it has ever posted over the 16 meetings in the series with Arizona – besting the previous high of 24 which it registered on two previous occasions (2017, 2007).
Arizona racked up 720 yards of total offense – including 517 in the first half. The Wildcats displayed a balanced attack that produced 431 rushing and 289 passing yards. The Lumberjacks tallied 442 yards in the loss.
Sophomore
Brandon Porter led the 'Jacks with a team-high and career-best eight receptions for 79 yards. Freshman
Hendrix Johnson garnered 97 yards on seven catches and
Stacy Chukwumezie added a pair of receptions for 67 yards, including a 43-yard score.
Arizona was led on the ground by Gary Brightwell, who recorded 141 yards on five carries, including a 94-yard TD run during the Wildcats' first-half scoring outburst. J.J. Taylor added 102 yards and a score on 10 rushing attempts. Overall, Arizona averaged 9.4 yards a rush in the victory.
Wildcat quarterback Khalil Tate completed 14-of-17 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Grant Gunnell finished 9-of-11 overall for 151 yards and three touchdowns after entering in relief of Tate.
NAU (1-1) was led defensively by senior
Jalen Cook who recorded a game-best eight tackles. Junior
Brian Barry added seven stops and senior
Brandon Lawless compiled a team-best 1.5 tackles for loss.
The Lumberjacks return to the Skydome to battle Western New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 14 in a 4 p.m. MST kickoff that will be broadcasted on Pluto TV (channel 539) and the Lumberjack Radio Network.
Postgame Notes – at Arizona – September 7, 20193
- Saturday night's meeting with Arizona marked the 16th all-time meeting in the series.
- Saturday's game in Tucson marked the first of a stretch that will see the Lumberjacks play three of four games on the road.
- The Lumberjacks wore white helmets for the first time this season along with white jerseys, pants and socks.
- 94-yard touchdown run by Arizona's Gary Brightwell tied for the second-longest in Arizona program history and was the longest run allowed by NAU since Sept. 8, 2018 when Eastern Washington's Sam McPherson broke free for a 94-yard rush.
- Freshman Hendrix Johnson hauled in a 56-yard reception in the second quarter – it marked the longest of his career to date.
- Junior kicker Luis Aguilar was a perfect 2-of-2 on field goal attempts (34, 43) and has now made all five of his attempts through two games this season.
- Sophomore Riley Langston hauled in a 32-yard reception in the third quarter – marking the first catch of his career.
- Freshman receiver Hendrix Johnson finished with seven catches for 97 yards – both are career-best efforts.
- NAU quarterback Case Cookus tossed multiple interceptions for the first time since Sept. 2, 2017 - when he threw a pair at Arizona – a span of 13 games.
- Junior running back Nate Stinson registered the first rushing touchdown of his career with a seven-yard plunge in the third quarter.
- Arizona's 65 total points mark the most allowed by NAU since allowing 77 to the Wildcats in a 77-13 on Sept. 19, 2015 – a span of 43 games.
- Freshman receiver Terrell Hayward snagged the first touchdown reception of his collegiate career at the 7:12 mark of the fourth quarter on a six-yard pass from Case Cookus.
- Senior Case Cookus finished 28-of-48 passing for 373 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
- The 373 passing yards marked the 12th 300-yard passing game of Case Cookus' career.
- Arizona's 51 points in the first half marked the most allowed by NAU in any half in program history.
- The 41 points scored by NAU marked the highest total it has ever posted in a game vs. Arizona.
