Voice of the Jacks
New member
Portland State presents an interesting and difficult challenge to NAU. At first glance, you may be tempted to think PSU's passing attack (#1 in the Big Sky, #1 in FCS) with the run-and-shoot, will run wild on the new Skydome field-turf. Well, I can't blame you for thinking that. PSU is rolling up an eye-popping 410 yards passing per game (amazing!) and NAU is giving up 277 yards per game through the air (#6 in the Sky). But look closer at NAU's pass defense numbers and you find some interesting things that do not bode well for teams that pass against them. Through five games (including at ASU), only 44.5 % of passes have been completed against NAU. That number is BY FAR the best in the Big Sky (the next best is actually Portland State at 55.2 %). Consider Exhibit #2: NAU leads the Big Sky by far in pass defense efficiency (a formulated combo of pass completion %, total pass yards given up, passing TDs and picks). NAU's number here is 107, the next best is Montana State at 125!
What has been a critical element in all of this, is the smothering pressure NAU's D-Line and Linebackers have been putting on opposing quarterbacks. The Lumberjacks 19 sacks (#1 in the Sky) for minus 132 yards (also #1 in the Sky) speak as loudly as NAU leading the FCS in sacks per game (3.8). The almost constant pressure on the quarterback is prompting mistake-likely decisions (see: seven NAU interceptions) and helping NAU to a Big Sky best +6 turnover margin.
Getting PSU quarterback Drew Hubel out of his run-and-shoot comfort zone will be vital. Forcing him to throw before he can check down his receiver list is a key.
NAU seems to really love playing on the new field-turf and perhaps with foul weather forecast for Saturday, people will be a little more inclined to get inside the friendly confines (with all due respect to Wrigley!) and push the attendance to over the 10,000 mark for the first time in quite a while.
I honestly believe NAU has a very good chance to win this game despite the scary nature of the Vikings' run-and-shoot. I will admit, I'm getting my voice ready for a lot of touchdowns however (cough drops are my friend!).
If you're not in the Skydome (with your radios tuned to KAFF 930 AM) then catch us on live national cable on FCS or live on bigskytv.org. Also, during the broadcast, my email "In-Box" is always open (keep 'em short and pithy so I can perhaps read your email on the air) at [email protected].
Enjoy the game and go Jacks!!!
Mitch Strohman
What has been a critical element in all of this, is the smothering pressure NAU's D-Line and Linebackers have been putting on opposing quarterbacks. The Lumberjacks 19 sacks (#1 in the Sky) for minus 132 yards (also #1 in the Sky) speak as loudly as NAU leading the FCS in sacks per game (3.8). The almost constant pressure on the quarterback is prompting mistake-likely decisions (see: seven NAU interceptions) and helping NAU to a Big Sky best +6 turnover margin.
Getting PSU quarterback Drew Hubel out of his run-and-shoot comfort zone will be vital. Forcing him to throw before he can check down his receiver list is a key.
NAU seems to really love playing on the new field-turf and perhaps with foul weather forecast for Saturday, people will be a little more inclined to get inside the friendly confines (with all due respect to Wrigley!) and push the attendance to over the 10,000 mark for the first time in quite a while.
I honestly believe NAU has a very good chance to win this game despite the scary nature of the Vikings' run-and-shoot. I will admit, I'm getting my voice ready for a lot of touchdowns however (cough drops are my friend!).
If you're not in the Skydome (with your radios tuned to KAFF 930 AM) then catch us on live national cable on FCS or live on bigskytv.org. Also, during the broadcast, my email "In-Box" is always open (keep 'em short and pithy so I can perhaps read your email on the air) at [email protected].
Enjoy the game and go Jacks!!!
Mitch Strohman
