weberwildcat
Active member
From TSN:
No. 17 Northern Arizona (5-1, 3-0 Big Sky) at Idaho State (0-6, 0-3 Big Sky), 8:35 p.m.
Northern Arizona will try to avoid a letdown as it faces one of the bottom feeders from the Big Sky a week before a first-place showdown with Weber Sate. Off to its best start since 2003, the Lumberjacks have won four of their last five meetings against the Bengals, including three straight.
Northern Arizona boasts the nation's eighth-ranked offense (447 yards per game), with arguably the nation's most balanced attack (191 yards per game rushing, 256 yards per game passing).
The dual quarterback system seems to be working for coach Jerome Souers, utilizing the talents of both Ole Miss transfer Michael Herrick (422 yards, three TD's and one interception) and incumbent Lance Kriesien (982 yards passing, six TD's and one interception). The rushing attack has been powered by Deonte Williams, who leads team with 515 yards and six touchdowns.
The Lumberjacks also have one of the nation's best defenses (299 yards per game; ninth nationally in scoring defense 17 points per game), and do have the nation's top run defense, allowing just seven yards per game rushing. The unit is buoyed by one of the nation's top defensive end tandems in Michael Battisti (five sacks) and Kyle Rath (4.5 sacks), along with a top-notch safety in Cyrus Igono and cornerback K.J. Gerard (four interceptions).
Idaho State saw its season reach one of its low points in a 29-9 loss at Northern Colorado last week. Running the football has been particularly difficult for the Bengals (77 yards per game, 107th in FCS), but have had a rather efficient passing game (284 yards per game) this fall. Russell Hill is among the Big Sky's best passers, with 1,685 yards passing, 12 TD's and 10 interceptions. He has benefited from having one of the league's top pass catchers in Eddie Thompson (43 catches).
Things on defense have followed suit with league members Eastern Washington and Portland State, as the Bengals rank 113th nationally in total defense (458 yards per game), including ranking 107th against the run (214 yards per game). Idaho State's defense has been led by linebacker Ryan Phipps, who leads the team 59 total stops.
Don't expect the confident Northern Arizona club to lose focus against an Idaho State squad that has too many holes.
Northern Arizona 55, Idaho State 14
No. 17 Northern Arizona (5-1, 3-0 Big Sky) at Idaho State (0-6, 0-3 Big Sky), 8:35 p.m.
Northern Arizona will try to avoid a letdown as it faces one of the bottom feeders from the Big Sky a week before a first-place showdown with Weber Sate. Off to its best start since 2003, the Lumberjacks have won four of their last five meetings against the Bengals, including three straight.
Northern Arizona boasts the nation's eighth-ranked offense (447 yards per game), with arguably the nation's most balanced attack (191 yards per game rushing, 256 yards per game passing).
The dual quarterback system seems to be working for coach Jerome Souers, utilizing the talents of both Ole Miss transfer Michael Herrick (422 yards, three TD's and one interception) and incumbent Lance Kriesien (982 yards passing, six TD's and one interception). The rushing attack has been powered by Deonte Williams, who leads team with 515 yards and six touchdowns.
The Lumberjacks also have one of the nation's best defenses (299 yards per game; ninth nationally in scoring defense 17 points per game), and do have the nation's top run defense, allowing just seven yards per game rushing. The unit is buoyed by one of the nation's top defensive end tandems in Michael Battisti (five sacks) and Kyle Rath (4.5 sacks), along with a top-notch safety in Cyrus Igono and cornerback K.J. Gerard (four interceptions).
Idaho State saw its season reach one of its low points in a 29-9 loss at Northern Colorado last week. Running the football has been particularly difficult for the Bengals (77 yards per game, 107th in FCS), but have had a rather efficient passing game (284 yards per game) this fall. Russell Hill is among the Big Sky's best passers, with 1,685 yards passing, 12 TD's and 10 interceptions. He has benefited from having one of the league's top pass catchers in Eddie Thompson (43 catches).
Things on defense have followed suit with league members Eastern Washington and Portland State, as the Bengals rank 113th nationally in total defense (458 yards per game), including ranking 107th against the run (214 yards per game). Idaho State's defense has been led by linebacker Ryan Phipps, who leads the team 59 total stops.
Don't expect the confident Northern Arizona club to lose focus against an Idaho State squad that has too many holes.
Northern Arizona 55, Idaho State 14
