TUCSON, Ariz. (Sept. 7, 2024) – The Northern Arizona University football team gave No. 20 Arizona all it could handle on Saturday night, falling 22-10 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.
After the loss, NAU drops to 1-1 while the Wildcats improve to 2-0 and have the nation's longest winning streak at nine-straight games, winning their second-straight over NAU.
The Lumberjacks led 10-6 at the half, keeping the Wildcats out of the endzone until the third quarter. However, they were outscored 16-0 in the second half en route to the loss. NAU was outgained on offense, 361 total yards compared to 198 after being held to 89 passing yards and 109 rushing yards. The Lumberjacks defense held Arizona to 0-for-10 on third down.
"I think we learned a lot about our football team, their fight and their determination. Their ability to stay together after adversity and our football team has a lot of grit. I'm disappointed with the outcome of the game for sure, we thought we had an opportunity to play a better second half and win at the end," said head coach
Brian Wright. "Our defensive effort was unbelievable, 0-for-10 on third down. We held them to 22 points when they were on the field most of the game. We just weren't able to sustain enough drives and finish with points or get in the endzone on the offensive side. Great job by our defense."
A 58-yard rush set up 1
st and 10 for the Wildcats on their own 40 on UA's opening drive, but the Lumberjacks were able to hold Arizona to a 33-yard field goal. The NAU offense stalled on its first drive, going three-and-out to punt for the first time this season.
The Lumberjack defense held Arizona to 0-for-3 on third down in the first quarter, and despite having 16 yards of total offense compared to 98 for the Wildcats, NAU only trailed 3-0 after the first.
Northern Arizona took its first lead of the game to open the second quarter.
Isaiah Eastman threw his first career pass and connected with
Xander Werner for a 25-yard touchdown, giving NAU a 7-3 lead after a
Marcus Lye extra point attempt. The drive ticked 4:58 off the clock, taking 10 plays and 83 yards for Werner's second career receiving touchdown.
On Arizona's next drive, the Lumberjacks stole back the momentum when
Mikale Greer came up with his second-career interception and NAU took over on Arizona's 49-yard line. Northern Arizona was able to capitalize on the turnover on a 38-yard field goal attempt from Lye, opening a 10-3 lead with 6:20 left to play in the half. Greer transferred in from San Jose State, where he played for current Arizona head coach Brent Brennan.
NAU received some help from Arizona in the second half, who was penalized five times for 50 yards. Before the half was over, UA connected on a 48-yard field goal to make it a 10-6 game in favor of the Lumberjacks at the half.
Northern Arizona upped its yards of total offense from 16 in the first to 94 in the second, giving them 110 compared to 147 for the Wildcats at the half. In the first half, NAU held the Wildcats to 0-for-5 on third down while converting 3-of-7 themselves.
After the Lumberjacks turned the ball over on downs to start the third quarter, Arizona took over on NAU's 34-yard line. The Wildcats capitalized and regained the lead on a 17-yard receiving touchdown, finding the endzone for the first time all game to pull ahead 13-10.
Arizona began its next drive at NAU's nine-yard line and marched down the field, taking 7:04 off the clock on a 13-play, 74-yard drive that resulted in a missed 27-yard field goal attempt to keep the Lumberjacks within striking distance. At the end of the third, NAU trailed 13-10.
The Wildcats tacked on a safety early in the fourth, pulling ahead 15-10. A 56-yard receiving touchdown would put the game away, as the Wildcats pulled ahead 22-10.
Alex McLaughlin led the team in tackles with 11, his third career 10-plus tackle performance. His first was in his collegiate debut against Arizona in 2023.
Tommy Ellis added eight, and the two each had a sack. Additionally,
Ammon Allen, an Arizona transfer, added nine tackles.
Ty Pennington made his second career start at quarterback, completing 14 of his 24 passing attempts for 84 yards. His top target was
BJ Fleming who collected 24 yards on two catches. Pennington also added 39 rushing yards on 13 carries while
Seth Cromwell racked up 41 yards on 11 carries.
NAU is in the midst of a three-game road swing and will travel to St. George, Utah, to take on Utah Tech next Saturday (Sept. 14) at 6 p.m. Mountain Standard time.
