FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Nov. 11, 2023) – The final time at Findlay Toyota Field this season for the Northern Arizona University football team was a memorable one. Not only did wide receiver and senior Hendrix Johnson break NAU's all-time reception record with his 202^nd catch, but the Lumberjacks also sent all the seniors out on a high note with a 28-7 victory over Northern Colorado.
 
After starting the season 0-3, Northern Arizona now improves to 4-6 overall and 4-3 in Big Sky Conference play with a chance to finish 5-3 in the league next week in the finale at Eastern Washington. With the loss, the Bears drop to 0-10 overall and 0-7 in conference action.
 
The victory snapped a two-game losing streak to Northern Colorado and kept the Bears winless all-time in Flagstaff. Additionally, the seven points allowed were the fewest by the Lumberjack defense since Sept. 10, 2022, in a 10-3 win at Sam Houston State.
 
Johnson's record-breaking catch came in the fourth quarter, as he entered the game needing four catches to break Shawn Collins' record of 201 set in 1985-88. Johnson hauled in 23 yards on the day, bringing his career receiving yards total to 2,643, needing 36 more to move into fourth all-time.
 
The Lumberjacks racked up 428 yards of total offense, including a season-high 227 rushing yards and 201 yards through the air. The Bears were held to 245 yards of total offense, just 68 of which came on the ground. Northern Arizona was 7-of-13 on third down while the Bears were 8-of-18.
 
"We played a team that has continually gotten better each week. They (Northern Colorado) have played some of the better teams in our league very well. I thought we played good in the first half, and our offense was backed up in the second half which kept us from scoring more. I look at the tape and hardly the stats at all, but defensively I thought we played, really, really, well," said head coach Chris Ball. "We took care of the ball offensively; it was the first time all year we didn't have a turnover. That makes me happy. I'm very proud of our guys. All these games are tough. It's hard to win. Whenever you can win a football game, it doesn't matter what the score is or what happened, a win is a win."
 
Northern Arizona wasted no time finding the endzone, as Xander Werner found Devon Starling for a 30-yard reception to cap a five-play, 54-yard drive that took just 1:19. After Szymon Gawlick's extra point attempt went through the uprights, the Lumberjacks held an early 7-0 lead.
 
Beginning the second quarter, Angel Flores, who earned his second career start today, found Coleman Owen for his 17^th career touchdown reception on a 22-yard strike. It concluded an eight-play, 77-yard drive. Flores completed 18 of his 22 pass attempts for 167 yards today, plus added 33 rushing yards on 12 carries. He did not throw an interception, and it marked the first time all season that the Lumberjacks did not turn the ball over.
 
Northern Colorado responded with its lone score of the day, a four-yard receiving touchdown that followed a 12-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:59 off the clock. After the extra point attempt, the Bears cut the lead in half, 14-7.
 
For good measure, Starling added another rushing touchdown before the half was over on a six-yard rush. It was the third multi-touchdown game of the year for Starling and marked his fifth rushing score of the season. In addition to his 30-yard touchdown reception, Starling was NAU's leading rusher with 76 yards on 11 carries.
 
At the half, Northern Arizona led 21-7.
 
NAU scored just once in the second half when Flores rushed one yard in for the score to cap a drive that lasted five plays and 75 yards. After Gawlick's kick was good, the Lumberjacks pulled ahead 28-7. Gawlick was a perfect four-for-four on extra point attempts for the day. The score was set up thanks to a 63-yard rush by Chase Belcher on the first play of the third quarter.
 
In the fourth quarter, Northern Arizona held the Bears to just five rushing yards and 64 passing yards to help secure the victory. Daniel Britt also came in at quarterback, adding 30 rushing yards on seven carries without attempting a pass.
 
Mikale Greer earned the lone turnover for both teams today, grabbing his first career interception that he returned for 40 yards at the end of the third quarter. As a defensive unit, NAU had eight tackles for a loss of 29 yards. Jhasi Wilson led the team with eight tackles while Alex McLaughlin added seven. Eloi Kwete added to his career sack school record with a half sack, bringing his career total to 24.5. George Steele added six tackles, a breakup, and a quarterback hurry.
 
The season finale takes place next Saturday, Nov. 18 at Eastern Washington at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. The Eagles are 4-6 overall and 3-4 in conference play after a 57-14 loss at No. 5/5 Montana State today in Bozeman. Northern Arizona will be looking for its first victory in Cheney since 2015. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. Mountain Standard time on ESPN+.