Lumberjacks Dominate in Home Opener Over Lincoln, 66-6

COMPLETE STATISTICS

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Aug. 31, 2024) – The new era of Northern Arizona football started off in the win column, as the Lumberjacks dominated Lincoln (CA) in the season opener today by a final score of 66-6 in Flagstaff, Ariz., at Findlay Toyota Field at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. NAU starts the season 1-0 for the first time since the Spring of 2021, marking the first win for head coach Brian Wright with the Lumberjacks.
 
The Oaklanders, who compete as an independent, drop to 0-2.
 
Northern Arizona dominated in every facet of the game, scoring the most points in a single-contest since 2016. NAU put up 452 yards of total offense while holding the Oaklanders to just 168. On the ground, the Lumberjacks rushed for 235 yards – 6.7 yards per carry – and limited LU to 87. Northern Arizona had a balanced attack with 217 passing yards (13-17-1), keeping the Oaklanders to just 81 yards through the air (11-20-1). The Lumberjacks held the Oaklanders to 5-of-14 on third down and 0-2 on fourth down conversion attempts. In the red zone, NAU was 7-of-8 while also converting 4-of-7 on third down.
 
"It's obviously good to get out there and get the season started at home in front of the home fans. This new staff has been here for 272 days back to December 3. We've put a lot of work in, so it's fun to be out there with this group and competing," said Wright. "I think we did good things at times, we were a little bit sloppy as to be expected in game one. We have a lot to work on there, but we're 1-0."
 
Ty Pennington, a redshirt sophomore who transferred in from Pittsburg State, earned the start today at quarterback. Pennington opened the scoring with a 20-yard rushing touchdown near the end of the first quarter, capping off a seven-play 55-yard drive to give NAU a 7-0 lead after a Marcus Lye extra point attempt. Pennington would complete seven of his nine pass attempts for 114 yards and one passing touchdown in his debut while he also added 34 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown.
 
Also making his Lumberjack debut was fellow transfer Seth Cromwell, who made it a 14-0 game with a two-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. Cromwell had nine carries for 43 yards and found the endzone twice.
 
The fireworks continued during the first when Bobby Nivens blocked a punt that was recovered and returned for 15 yards and a score by Elijah Taylor. It marked the first blocked punt returned for a touchdown since the 2018 season. At the end of the first quarter, NAU held on to a healthy 21-0 lead.
 
The Oaklanders found the board on a 38-yard receiving touchdown early in the second quarter to cut the lead to 21-6. However, their two-point conversion attempt was intercepted by Ammon Allen and returned for 97 yards to the endzone, giving NAU a 23-6 lead.
 
Northern Arizona would score three more times before the half was up. The first score took just one play - coming on a 62-yard passing touchdown from Pennington to BJ Fleming for the second receiving touchdown of his career. That set up a successful two-point conversion from J'Wan Evans.
 
From there, redshirt sophomore quarterback Angel Flores entered the game and made an immediate impact, finding Bryzai White for eight-yards and a touchdown before completing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Ta'ir Brooks for his first touchdown as a Lumberjack. Flores completed all five of his pass attempts for 80 yards and two touchdown passes. At the half, the Lumberjacks led 45-6.
 
During the third, Cromwell and Evans each scored one-yard rushing touchdowns that were followed by successful extra point attempts from freshman kicker Jordan Westrich. Heading into the fourth, NAU owned a 59-6 advantage.
 
True freshman Kenveon Stone found the endzone in his first collegiate game, scoring on a five-yard run to cap a five-play, 57-yard drive to put the game away for good 66-6.
 
"Lincoln was playing a lot of man coverage and blitzing almost every down. Actually, it made the run game difficult. Our guys on the outside did a great job winning their one-on-one matchups and our quarterbacks put the football on them a few times. Up front, our guys did a great job of protecting," concluded Wright.
 
On the defensive side, Alex McLaughlin led the team with seven tackles, followed by Tommy Ellis who had five. Quinlan Popham forced and recovered a fumble, while Michael Beresford came up with an interception in his first collegiate game. Michael Harkins led the team with two pass breakups.
 
Additionally, the Lumberjacks did not punt, and Lye was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra point attempts. NAU did miss a field goal, but Westrich was also 3-for-3 on extra point attempts.
 
Northern Arizona faces a big test in Tucson next week, taking on Arizona who is currently ranked No. 21. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats open their season tonight (Aug. 31) against New Mexico at home.