Northern Arizona Football Checks in at No. 25 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25

Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Sept. 30, 2024) – The Northern Arizona football team found itself in a place it hasn't been in 2,212 days on Monday morning – nationally ranked.
 
The Lumberjacks checked in at No. 25 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll, their first national ranking since coming in at No. 20 on Sept. 10, 2018 – which was 316 weeks ago.
 
The accomplishment comes two days after beating No. 10/10 Sacramento State at home in Flagstaff by a score of 36-14. The win was convincing, as the defense held the Hornets without a touchdown until the fourth quarter and had four takeaways.
 
Northern Arizona is led by first year head coach Brian Wright who was hired on Dec. 3, 2023. Saturday's win marked his 40^th as a head coach, lifting the Lumberjacks to 3-2 on the year and 1-0 in Big Sky Conference play. NAU's only losses have come on the road at No. 20 Arizona and No. 15/18 Incarnate Word.
 
The Lumberjacks have been on the rise in both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches' Poll and the Stats Perform Top 25 all season, receiving votes in the AFCA poll each week since the preseason. NAU received 22 votes this week.
 
Northern Arizona joins six other Big Sky Conference teams in the top 25 in No. 3 Montana State, No. 8 Montana, No. 9 UC Davis, No. 10 Idaho, No. 17 Sacramento State and Weber State (RV). Two-time defending national champions South Dakota State holds the top spot in the poll followed by North Dakota State.
 
NAU is gearing up to face another ranked opponent in No. 10/12 Idaho this Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Kibbie Dome. Northern Arizona's last ranked road win came in 2023 at No. 22/23 Weber State, one of three ranked wins for the Lumberjacks last season as NAU has won four out of its last seven games against ranked FCS opponents. In 2024, the Lumberjacks a 1-1 against ranked FCS foes.
 
Kickoff from Moscow, Idaho is set for 2 p.m. Mountain Standard time on ESPN+.