Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Big Sky
Northern Arizona is finally back in the playoffs after a ten year absence. That was the only year the Lumberjacks won a playoff game. Coach Jerome Souers hopes to add to NAU’s postseason history this year. Behind a strong defense and a tough running game, this team does have the tools to win a couple games.
2013 Record: 9-2, 7-1
Coach: Jerome Souers
Big Wins: 9/28 Montana (34-16), 10/26 at Cal Poly (17-13)
Bad Losses: 8/30 at Arizona (0-35), 10/5 at Montana State (7-36)
Strengths:
Northern Arizona’s defense has been very impressive throughout most of the year. There was a string of games in early October when they gave up 36 points to Montana State, 39 to Sacramento State and 30 to Idaho State, but they did win two of those contests. The secondary, despite a pretty much non-existent pass rush, has done an amazing job shutting down the pass happy offenses in the Big Sky. Lucky Dozier and Anders Battle are two of the best at this level and the senior duo is ready to lead NAU to a postseason victory or two. Austin Hasquet and Ryan Reardon have made some big plays at linebacker. Hasquet, the team’s leading tackler, can drop back in coverage and has helped out that strong secondary when necessary.
Weaknesses:
Northern Arizona wants to grind it out by playing solid defense and working their offense through workhorse running back Zach Bauman. Bauman, a 5-10, 200 pound senior, has had another solid year, rushing for 1,355 yards and eight touchdowns on 248 carries. When the Lumberjacks are forced to abandon their ground attack, they are in trouble. In the loss to Montana, Bauman had just nine carries for 26 yards. He should be getting 25 carries or more. The instability at quarterback has hindered the passing attack. Kyren Poe was pulled from the Sacramento State game and Chase Cartwright came in and did an amazing job. But that wore off a few weeks later and now both signal callers will get a chance every game. It is nice to be able to ride the hot hand, but for some opposing defenses it can be way too easy to contain Bauman and force Poe or Cartwright to win the game.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Zach Bauman, RB, 1,355 yards
Passing: Kyren Poe, QB, 1,386 yards
Receiving: Nick Cole, WR, 413 yards
Tackles: Austin Hasquet, LB, 82
Sacks: Tim Wilkinson, DL, 5.5
Interceptions: Austin Hasquet, LB, 3; Lucky Dozier, DB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 159.8 (66th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 207.8 (66, 9)
Total Offense: 367.6 (66, 9)
Scoring Offense: 25.1 (68, 7)
Rushing Defense: 146.2 (43, 5)
Pass Defense: 212.4 (49, 2)
Total Defense: 358.6 (39, 2)
Scoring Defense: 22.8 (26, 4)
Turnover Margin: 0.4 (33, 4)
Sacks: 1.70 (84, 10)
Sacks Allowed: 2.10 (71, 8)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2003 First Round Defeated McNeese State
2003 Quarterfinals Lost to Florida Atlantic
2001 First Round Lost to Sam Houston State
1999 First Round Lost to Georgia Southern
1996 First Round Lost to Furman
*all team stats through 11/16
