NAU Trips Up Bobcats
10/10/2009 12:22:40 PM | Football
The Bobcats (3-2 overall, 2-1 in league) dominated the first half, but still trailed at halftime 7-3. NAU led 13-10 in the fourth quarter when the MSU defense stopped NAU and forced a punt with 4:43 left in the game. The NAU punt bounced off a Bobcat to a waiting Lumberjack and instead of a chance to drive for the go-ahead touchdown, MSU's defense was back on the field.
The Lumberjacks (3-2, 2-1) iced the game on the next play when Michael Herrick connected with Ed Berry for a 14-yard touchdown. Matt Myers kicked his third field goal of the game moments later to complete the scoring on a 19-degree day.
The Bobcats' final two possessions ended with interceptions by Mark Iddins who otherwise played an outstanding game. The senior connected on 25 of 39 passes for 235 yards. It was Iddins' 2-yard strike to Kyle Begger that gave MSU a 10-7 lead early in the third quarter. That play was set up when NAU muffed a punt, similar to the play that doomed the Bobcats in the fourth quarter.
The Bobcats, who had only two first downs and 48 total yards in the second half, were unable to overcome a first quarter injury to Aaron Mason, the league's fourth-leading rusher. Overall, the Bobcats gained 246 total yards. The league's second-best rushing team was held to just 11 yards on the ground. In place of the injured Mason, CJ Palmer led the Bobcats with 16 yards on nine carries.
NAU's Alex Henderson entered the game averaging 109 yards a game, second best in the league. But the senior was held to just 12 yards rushing as the team total negative 16 for the game. But quarterback Herrick made up the difference by completing 30 of 40 passes for 388 yards. NAU's only turnover was on the muffed punt, compared to MSU's five total turnovers.
NAU's first touchdown came just before halftime. Wide receiver Daiveun Curry-Chapman lined up at quarterback and hit Shaun Fitzpatrick from the Wildcat formation for a 6-yard score. The Bobcats got on the scoreboard first when Jason Cunningham kicked a 20-yard field goal in the first quarter.
Iddins was only sacked one time while Bobcats Dan Ogden, Dane Fletcher and Chase Gazzerro all got to Herrick. Ten more times the Bobcats tackled a Lumberjack behind the line for a loss. Yet, the Bobcats were unable to overcome the turnover bug.
The Bobcats play host to South Dakota next in a non-conference game. NAU travels to Portland next week in another Big Sky battle.
