FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 20, 2022) – Looking to rebound from last week's loss at UC Davis, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks play their third road game in the span of four weeks as they head north to face the Idaho State Bengals.
Winners over Cal Poly during their Homecoming last week, the Bengals (1-6, 1-3 Big Sky) came up with four interceptions and six sacks against the Mustangs. While the team has struggled early on in head coach Charlie Ragle's first season, in part due to a challenging opening stretch, it has fared well with takeaways, tackles for loss and sacks.
Ranking 21st in the FCS with 12 forced turnovers this season, the Bengals are also fourth in the Big Sky with 6.1 tackles for loss per game and fifth with 2.14 sacks. While four of those 12 takeaways came on interceptions last week, Idaho State has recovered seven fumbles of the 18 opponents have put on the ground this year.
"They have some confidence going into our game," said Lumberjacks head coach
Chris Ball. "They got their first win under Coach Ragle, so they have got so momentum going into this week. We have to get our guys ready to play because it is going to be tough. It's a Big Sky game, they are all tough. It doesn't matter the record, you better show up to play every week. If you don't, you'll lose."
Cal Poly found itself down 7-0 just three plays into the game, with Idaho State making it 14-0 another four minutes later after an interception and a 7-play, 52-yard scoring drive. For the Bengals, it was the fifth time they scored first in a game this season and led to their largest lead in a game since 2019.
"They have gotten better each week, it's not like they have fallen off," Ball said. "We have got to put together a good game plan and we are going to have to execute really well to move the ball and score some points. They are playing well in all three phases to be honest with you.
The Lumberjacks (2-5, 1-3 Big Sky), who also beat the Mustangs at home two weeks ago, counter with an offense allowing just 1.00 sacks per game and has lost only two fumbles this season. With the Bengals scoring early this season, only trailing opponents 45-40 in first quarters, and the Lumberjacks in the green during first quarters this year, it'll be a different test come the second 15 minutes.
While Northern Arizona has outscored teams 41-37 in the first 15 minutes, it too needs to turn the corner in the second quarter. The Lumberjacks have been outscored 103-27 in second quarters, only slightly better than the Bengals' 111-27, with 89 percent of their point differential coming as a result this season. Outscored 217-132 this year, 76 of the 85 points can be found in the 15 minutes before halftime.
Saturday's game will be streamed on ESPN+, as well as Hulu with a subscription to the Disney Bundle, with Dylan Carder and Kody Graves on the call for the live stream.
Mitch Strohman and Kevin Stephens will handle the radio call on the Northern Arizona Healthcare NAU Lumberjack Radio Network with coverage beginning at 11 a.m. MST.
LOOKING AT THE BENGALS
Idaho State's seven fumble recoveries this season ranks 10th in the FCS in addition to its 21st ranking in total takeaways, with linebacker Charles Ike responsible for three of the interceptions and a forced fumble. Leading the team with 59 tackles, Ike has added 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack this season and earned Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Mustangs.
Cornerback Jihad Brown has also been instrumental in the Bengals' turnover prowess, picking off one pass and recovering a pair of fumbles. Adding in four pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble, the sophomore has impressed after playing in 11 games last season.
However, when the Bengals failed to record takeaways their defense has struggled. Ranked 103rd in third-down defense at 46.9 percent, 100th in rushing defense at 198.6 yards per game and 100th in team passing efficiency defense at 152.16, Idaho State has struggled to get stops. Opponents have recorded 167 first downs against the Bengals this season, the sixth most in the FCS.
Needing to throw to keep up this season, the Bengals have found plenty of success through Xavier Guillory. The 6-foot-2 sophomore has caught 40 passes for 663 yards this season, with both numbers leading the conference and ranking tied for 15th and third in the FCS respectively. Accounting for 27 percent of the team's completions and 39 percent of its passing yardage, Guillory has done so with three different quarterbacks taking snaps for the Bengals.
Injuries to Tyler Vander Waal and Hunter Hays forced Sagan Gronauer onto the field this season, with Hays currently the leader at 135 attempts. Gronauer's 81 attempts is second on the team while the program's original starter, Vander Waal, has thrown just 18 in parts of two games.
Finishing with at least 73 yards in all seven games this season, Guillory hasn't missed a beat regardless of who has been at quarterback.
The receiver tallied 54 of his yards against UNLV and a 75-yard touchdown against San Diego State with Vander Waal, 210 total yards against Central Arkansas and Northern Colorado came from Hays and 166 total yards from Montana and Montana State with Gronauer. Hays returned against Cal Poly and found Guillory for five catches, 120 yards and a score last week.
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