FARMINGTON, Utah (July 17, 2025) – Coming off its first FCS Playoff appearance since 2017, Northern Arizona football was slotted fourth in the Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll and fifth in the Big Sky Preseason Media Poll released by the league office on Thursday.
Montana State, the reigning Big Sky champion and FCS national runner-up, was voted to defend its league title in both polls, receiving seven of 12 first-place votes by the coaches and 30 of 42 first-place votes by the media. The Big Sky's 12 head coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams in the coaches poll.
Led by head coach
Brian Wright, entering his second season at the helm of the Lumberjacks, NAU received a first-place vote in the coaches poll for the first time since 2018. NAU tallied 94 points in the coaches poll, two points shy of third-place Montana. Montana State, UC Davis and Montana occupy the three spots ahead of NAU.
In the media poll, the Lumberjacks came in fifth with 354 points, behind Montana State, Montana, UC Davis and Idaho.
The Lumberjacks' fourth and fifth-place spots in the preseason polls are the program's highest since placing third in both polls ahead of the 2018 season.
Behind a stout defensive unit that ranked second in the Big Sky last fall in total defense (316.5 yards per game), scoring defense (18.8 points per game) and turnovers forced (20), the Lumberjacks completed the 2024 campaign tied for third in the conference with a 6-2 league record.
Wright guided NAU to an 8-5 overall record, including the program's first berth in the FCS Playoffs in seven years, in his debut season in Flagstaff. The eight victories were the program's most since 2013 and NAU posted its third undefeated home season (5-0) in school history.
NAU, ranked No. 19 in the HERO Sports FCS Preseason Top 25 Media Poll, is seeking consecutive FCS Playoff appearances for the first time in program history heading into 2025. The Lumberjacks kick off the 2025 season on Saturday, Aug. 30, in Tempe, Ariz. against Arizona State.
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2025 Big Sky Preseason Coaches Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
1. Montana State (7) – 117
2. UC Davis (1) – 100
3. Montana (2) – 96
4. Northern Arizona (1) – 94
5. Idaho – 81
6. Sacramento State (1) – 73
7. Idaho State – 56
8. Weber State – 55
9. Eastern Washington – 48
10. Portland State – 32
11. Cal Poly – 25
12. Northern Colorado – 15
2025 Big Sky Preseason Media Poll (First-Place Votes in Parentheses)
1. Montana State (30) – 488
2. Montana (6) – 434
3. UC Davis (4) – 399
4. Idaho (1) – 364
5. Northern Arizona – 354
6. Sacramento State (1) – 282
7. Idaho State – 247
8. Eastern Washington – 225
9. Weber State – 192
10. Portland State – 140
11. Cal Poly – 94
12. Northern Colorado – 57
