FARMINGTON, Utah (Sept. 16, 2024) – After guiding the Northern Arizona football team to a 45-17 victory in his third-career start, quarterback
Ty Pennington has been named the Big Sky Conference's Offensive Player of the Week.
It's the first weekly award for the Lumberjacks this season and the first of Pennington's young career. It marks the first time an NAU signal-caller has earned Player of the Week honors since RJ Martinez in 2021. Sacramento State's Will Leota won the Defensive Player of the Week nod, while Idaho's Andrew Marshall earned the honor for special teams.
In the win, Pennington completed eight of his 14 pass attempts for 123 yards with two passing touchdowns, finding
Isaiah Eastman for a 31-yard score and connecting with
Ta'ir Brooks for an eight-yard receiving touchdown to help NAU score on six-straight drives. Additionally, he did not throw an interception for the third-straight game.
The Sand Springs, Okla., native was instrumental in NAU's run game as well. Pennington rushed for 67 yards on nine carries with a long of 19, good for 7.4 yards per carry. He scored twice with his legs, both two-yard scurries into the endzone, to help him account for four of Northern Arizona's six touchdowns on the night. As a team, the Lumberjacks out-gained Utah Tech 339-to-111 in rushing yards.
On the night, he set career-highs in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Pennington transferred in from Pittsburg State where he was coached by first year NAU head coach,
Brian Wright. Just a sophomore, Pennington has started all three games for the 'Jacks this season. He has completed 29 of his 47 pass attempts for 321 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. On the ground, he has accumulated 140 rushing yards on 24 carries with an additional three touchdowns.
NAU is 2-1 for the first time since 2019. The Lumberjacks are preparing to head to San Antonio, Texas, to take on No. 13/14 Incarnate Word on Saturday, Sept. 21 to close non-conference play. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Mountain Standard time on ESPN+.
