Montana State University
Northern Arizona
Lumberjacks Topple Bobcats, Hand MSU First Big Sky Loss
10/16/2010 7:48:24 PM | Football
Northern Arizona struck early and often on its way to a 35-7 win
Michael Herrick threw for 281 yards, including 233 in a decisive first half, to lead Northern Arizona to a 34-7 win over Montana State in Flagstaff's Walkup Skydome on Saturday
The Lumberjacks punted on their first possession, then found the end zone on the next four possessions, closing the first half with a 15-yard pass from Herrick to Austin Shanks for a 28-0 NAU lead at the intermission. Shanks finished with eight catches for 75 yards.
"NAU was tremendously prepared and executed in every phase of the game," said Bobcat coach Rob Ash. "They played fast, they played sharp, and they hit on everything."
NAU's first scoring drive changed the game. After Bobcat punter Rory Perez pinned the Lumberjacks at the one yard line, NAU moved the ball 99 yards for a touchdown, using 19 plays and chewing up 9:23. "That drive really put our defense on its heels," Ash said, "and it also made the offense more anxious and edgy. It really affects the whole team."
The Bobcats regrouped at halftime, and put together a 69-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter. That single touchdown was not enough, though, as NAU finished off the win by holding the ball for 38:25 of the game. While NAU rushed for just 104 yards on the day, the Lumberjacks' league-leading defense limited MSU to 16 rushing yards and just 123 total yards.
NAU raises its record to 2-1 in Big Sky play with the win, but travels to Missoula next week. The Bobcats fall to 3-1 in league play, and host Northern Colorado next Saturday at 1:05 pm.
Northern Arizona's dominance in the first half was complete. The Lumberjacks rolled up 21 first downs in accumulating 336 total yards, while Montana State's 19 total yards produced just one first down, and it was via penalty. Ash worried before the game that Herrick would get on a roll early, and he did. The senior Payton Trophy candidate who transferred to NAU from Ole Miss was 22-for-27 before halftime for 206 yards.
