FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (June 29, 2021) – While it may take a few years, Northern Arizona University's Grand Canyon Rivalry with Southern Utah will continue long after the Thunderbirds depart the Big Sky Conference for the Western Athletic Conference in 2022.
NAU and Southern Utah have agreed to a 12-game contract, beginning in 2028, with both schools hosting six games on an alternating cycle. The first meeting in the renewed series will be played in Flagstaff on Sept. 9, 2028 with Southern Utah hosting in Cedar City, Utah on Sept. 15, 2029.
All 12 meetings are tentatively scheduled to be played in September, with NAU also hosting in 2030, 2032, 2034, 2036 and 2038 and Southern Utah the host for 2031, 2033, 2035, 2037 and 2039.
NAU and Southern Utah have faced one another in every season since 2008, with the first four being non-conference games before the Thunderbirds joined the Big Sky in 2012. The Lumberjacks have won 7 of the 14 meetings during the stretch, with the programs playing twice during the Spring 2021 season.
The Lumberjacks will host the Thunderbirds on Oct. 16 in Flagstaff, the third meeting between the programs during the calendar year and the fourth game between the two in the span of 13 games for NAU.
Keondre Wudtee hit
Coleman Owen for a 2-yard touchdown as time expired on Feb. 27, bringing the Grand Canyon Trophy back to NAU. Facing off for the second time in 2021 on April 10, the Lumberjacks battled back from a 14-0 deficit to score 28 straight points and retain the trophy heading into the fall. The victory was NAU's first in Cedar City, Utah since 2013 and snapped a streak of four straight home victories for teams in the rivalry.
Leading the all-time series 15-10, NAU first faced Southern Utah in 1982 when the Thunderbirds were members of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. During the nearly 40-year history between the programs, the Thunderbirds have faced the Lumberjacks while members of five different conferences. In addition to the RMAC and Big Sky, NAU faced Southern Utah when it was in the Western Football Conference, the American West Conference and Great West Conference as well as its time as a FCS Independent.
The upcoming meeting this fall is currently the final time the two teams will meet until the new series begins in 2028 following Southern Utah's move to the WAC.
