OGDEN, Utah (November 5, 2016) – For 19 years, Northern Arizona’s Jerome Souers has paced the sidelines in Flagstaff, serving the Lumberjacks as their head coach.
Saturday, Souers made history at Weber State’s Stewart Stadium, becoming the Big Sky’s all-time wins leader, with 112, passing Nevada’s Chris Ault on the back of a
33-20 Northern Arizona win over the hosting Wildcats.
Northern Arizona took an early 20-0 lead, with two Griffin Roehler field goals and two Blake Kemp touchdown passes leading the Lumberjacks to a three-score lead with 4:34 remaining in the second quarter. Weber State picked up its first score on a 10-yard pass from Jadrian Clark to Cam Livingston.
Weber State closed the gap to six, with a one-yard run by Treshawn Garrett bringing the score to 26-20, with 5:47 remaining. However, a 61-yard run by Kendyl Taylor broke the game open, giving Northern Arizona its fourth straight win.
Northern Arizona quarterback Blake Kemp threw for 357 yards and two touchdowns, while Weber State’s Jadrian Clark threw for 302 yards and a pair of scores. NAU’s Emmanuel Butler had 157 receiving yards.
Eastern Washington 42, Cal Poly 21 – Eastern Washington coach Beau Baldwin has talked several times about Eagles receiver Cooper Kupp being a capable quarterback, but most have nodded agreement while raising an eyebrow.
Those eyebrows will be low from here on out, with Kupp throwing two touchdown passes, while also catching 11 passes for 154 yards in a road win for Eastern Washington. Kupp also caught a 45-yard scoring pass from Gage Gubrud, who threw for 357 yards and four touchdowns of his own.
Eastern Washington’s defense played a starring role in the Eagles’ win, forcing three turnovers while holding the Mustangs to only 21 points. The Eagles still surrendered 458 yards, but were able to turn the turnovers into scoring opportunities.
The Eagles held a 21-14 lead at halftime, before Kupp’s two scoring passes gave Eastern Washington a firm grasp on the lead.
The Eagles host Idaho State next week, while Cal Poly travels to play Weber State.
Southern Utah 38, Montana State 21 – A slow offensive start proved to be inconsequential for Southern Utah, as the Thunderbirds dropped visiting Montana State.
The Bobcats held a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, with quarterback Chris Murray scoring on a seven-yard run. From there, Southern Utah’s first points came on a Patrick Tyler-to-Logan Parker connection. The two teams would be tied 14-14 at halftime.
However, Southern Utah scored the next 24 points, with a late Murray-to-Keon Stephens touchdown giving the Bobcats a late score.
Montana State had four turnovers, while Southern Utah had none. The Bobcats actually outgained the Thunderbirds, 371-349.
Tyler threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Montana State’s Mitchell Herbert had 106 receiving yards, and a touchdown.
North Dakota 23, Northern Colorado 13 – A 23-0 run helped North Dakota overcome an early Northern Colorado score, giving the Fighting Hawks a road win.
Theron Verna caught a four-yard pass from Kyle Sloter minutes into the game, giving the Northern Colorado Bears a 7-0 lead. However, the Fighting Hawks came fighting back, with a 20-yard Brady Oliveira run tying the game.
North Dakota’s last score came with 2:45 left in the third quarter, as Reid Taubenheim hit a 34-yard field goal. Northern Colorado scored a fourth quarter touchdown, but it proved to be too little too late.
With Fighting Hawks quarterback Keaton Studsrud sitting out due to injury, the UND rushing attack carried the load, with John Santiago rushing for 204 yards.
The Fighting Hawks remain undefeated in league play, and will host Northern Arizona next week, with a chance to earn at least a share of a Big Sky title.
Montana 62, Idaho State 44 – One of the Big Sky’s better offensive shootouts this season saw the Montana Grizzlies beat the Idaho State Bengals, breaking a two-game losing streak.
After struggling defensively in two consecutive losses, to Northern Arizona and Eastern Washington, the Griz had more of the same, trailing 31-27 after Idaho State’s Michael Dean ran for three yards and a score, in the second quarter.
However, Montana quarterback Chad Chalich, making his first start of the season, was masterful in helping the Grizzlies keep pace. Chalich completed 21-of-27 passes for 388 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns, helping Montana to a halftime lead of 41-31.
Idaho State quarterback Tanner Gueller threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns, with Mitch Gueller catching five passes for 100 yards.
Portland State 51, UC Davis 29 – A 24-0 run by the Portland State Vikings put the game out of reach, as the Vikings opened up a two-week road swing with a win over the UC Davis Aggies.
The Vikings racked up 602 yards of offense, with quarterback Alex Kuresa having his best passing performance of the season, throwing for 384 yards and a touchdown.
Portland State held a 30-16 halftime lead, before Kuresa found Paris Penn for a 34-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. Then, Nate Tago scored back-to-back rushing touchdowns, giving the Vikings a 51-16 lead.
The Vikings’ defense also had several strong moments, forcing two turnovers.