Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Founded: 1899
Enrollment: 23,845
Nickname: Lumberjacks
Big Sky Champs: 1978, 2003

HEAD COACH: Jerome Souers, 17th season at NAU (102-94-0)
CONFERENCE: Big Sky Conference
STADIUM: Walkup Skydome (15,300)
2015 PRESEASON POLL: 5th place (coaches), 6th place (media)
2014 RECORD: 7-5 (5-3 Big Sky) 5th Place
2015 RECORD: 2-1 (0-0 Big Sky)
SERIES HISTORY: Montana leads the series 34-13
LAST MEETING: Sept 28, 2013 – Northern Arizona won in Flagstaff 34-16

NAU Football Schedule/Results

Northern Arizona has played three games so far in the 2015 season. The first game saw Northern Arizona travel to Stephen F. Austen to get its first win of the season, beating the other Lumberjacks 34-28. Then NAU returned home for game 2 to host DII New Mexico Highlands where the Lumberjacks ran away in a 41-5 win. Having to feel good after two good wins, NAU then took on FBS Arizona in game 3. NAU didn’t look good at all and got absolutely demolished by the PAC12 program, losing to Arizona 77-13.

Below is Northern Arizona’s full schedule as well as last year’s season results, and a list of conference championships.

Record: 2-1 (0-0 Big Sky) | Home: 1-0 | Away: 1-1 | PF: 88 | PA: 110

2015 Schedule/Results
DATE	Opponent	RESULT	RECORD
Sat, Sept 5	@ Stephen F. Austin	W 34-28	1-0 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 12	vs New Mexico Highlands	W 41-5	2-0 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 19	@ FBS Arizona	L 13-77
Sat, Sept 26	@ #14 Montana	2:00 p.m.
Sat, Oct 3	vs #15 Montana State
Sat, Oct 10	@ UC Davis
Sat, Oct 24	vs Weber State
Sat, Oct 31	vs Northern Colorado
Sat, Nov 7	@ #11 Eastern Washington
Sat, Nov 14	vs Sacramento State
Sat, Nov 21	@ Southern Utah

2014 Schedule/Results

DATE	Opponent	RESULT	RECORD
Sat, Aug 30	@ San Diego State	L 7-38	0-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 6	@ Abilene Christian	W 27-21	1-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 13	vs New Mexico Highlands	W 62-23	2-1 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 20	@ South Dakota	L 21-28	2-2 (0-0)
Sat, Sept 27	vs Cal Poly	W 38-35	3-2 (1-0)
Sat, Oct 4	@ Northern Colorado	L 17-24	3-3 (1-1)
Sat, Oct 18	@ Portland State State	W 21-17	4-3 (2-1)
Sat, Oct 25	vs Eastern Washington	W 27-27	5-3 (3-1)
Sat, Nov 1	@ Weber State	W 29-22	6-3 (4-1)
Sat, Nov 8	vs UC Davis	W 23-21	7-3 (5-1)
Thu, Nov 15	@ North Dakota	L 28-30	7-4 (5-2)
Sat, Nov 22	vs Southern Utah	L 14-22	7-5 (5-3)

** denotes playoff game

Northern Arizona Championships

No.	Year	Record	Selector
1	1956	8-2	Frontier Conference Co-Champions
2	1957	8-1	Frontier Conference Champions
3	1958	11-1	Frontier Conference Champions
4	1959	6-2-1	Frontier Conference Champions
5	1960	6-3-2	Frontier Conference Co-Champions
6	1961	3-5-1	Frontier Conference Champions
7	1962	6-4	Frontier Conference Champions
8	1978	8-2	Big Sky Conference Champions
9	2003	9-4	Big Sky Conference Co-Champions

Northern Arizona has made the playoffs five times since 1996.

Playoff Appearances
No	Year	Round & Opponent	Results	Record
1	1996	1st Round vs Furman	L 31-42	0-1
2	1999	1st Round @ Georgia Southern	L 29-72	0-1
3	2001	1st Round @ Sam Houston State	L 31-34	0-1
4	2003	1st Round @ McNeese State quarterfinals @ Florida Atlantic	W 35-3 L 25-48	1-1
5	2013	1st Round vs South Dakota State	L 7-26	0-1

Offensive/Defensive Breakdown

Below are the stats for the Griz and Northern Arizona offense/defense from the last three games and how each team compares.

(Stats research from Brint Wahlberg)

Offensive Stats	Montana	N. Arizona
Passing Yards	356	300
Rushing Yards	79	125
Total Offense	435	425

Defensive Stats	Montana	N. Arizona
Pass Defense	182	223
Rush Defense	212	235
Total Defense	394	459

Other Stats	Montana	N. Arizona
Offensive Points Scored	26 ppg	29.3 ppg
Defensive Points Allowed	29.7 ppg	36.7 ppg
Turnover Margin	-5	-4
Fieldgoal %	75% made	100% made
T.O.P	24:18	30:04
Red Zone Defense (Touchdowns)	72% Allowed	91% Allowed
Red Zone Offense (Touchdowns)	33%	36%

Prediction:

The Griz have clearly struggled on offense the last two games, especially once they get inside the red zone and they have been inside the red zone a lot. With quarterback Brady Gustafson out from his leg injury last week, Chad Chalich has been given the nod to start the game against NAU. The O-Line needs to do a much better job at protecting Chalich this week and giving him and the receivers time to set up routes and make plays. With Chalich’s ability to run, that should allow this offense to move the ball a little bit more, granted the O-Line is able to open up some running paths. Again, execution is huge and will determine whether the Griz win or lose to NAU. Last week execution was the downfall for the Griz. This week, look for the team to limit mistakes and start conference play 1-0. It’s a new season and the Griz get off on the right foot. We’re picking the Griz to win this one 27-21.

Week 4 – Know the Enemy: NAU Lumberjacks