The Playoffs: NAU vs SDSU

[dbackjon]

Blue and Gold Jacks vs Blue and Gold Jacks!




Going to be a tough game featuring two great RB's

 

[mtjack]

Driving up to Flagstaff tomorrow.

I'm hoping the community shows up but I have my doubts. Too bad this falls on a holiday weekend or I'm sure the students would be out in force.

I don't do score predictions due to superstition but I expect a tough, grind it out kind of game between two run heavy, defensive minded teams. Another pick six by NAU's defense would be :thumb: .

Go Jacks!

 

[king]

Well, that was that :roll: :roll:

I didn't get to watch the game. I was having too much fun hanging out with the family and kinda forgot about the game :evil: Maybe it's a good thing I didn't watch. Judging by the score it wasn't a barn burner. How about a quick report Jack? I expected more out of our team. Was there a big crowd? why did we score so few points? was SDSU a good defensive team? or was our offense that pitiful?

Too bad that after so many years of not making the playoffs we finally do and lay an egg :x

 

[mtjack]

My quick report is about two weeks late, King.

Plain and simple...NAU got whooped in the second half. SDSU was the better team and manhandled NAU on the OL and DL. I'm sure having Souers on the sideline and Poe not going out injured for about half the game would have helped but I still believe the final outcome (NAU loss) would have occurred. NAU's other two losses this season - U of A and Montana State - were to big, strong power run offenses and big, strong defensive lines. That's what SDSU presented and added to losing two key components was a perfectly aligned recipe for an early exit from the playoffs.

I was moping that night and chose not to partake in brews downtown. Went to bed feeling down. Woke up the next morning in pea soup fog (weather felt like the San Franscisco Bay area that weekend), had a good meal, hiked one of my favorite trails in Oak Creek Canyon on the drive back to the desert and the world was all good again. I'm even pulling for EWU in the playoffs now. I'll share the love with my Big Sky brethren.

I refuse to be mad with how the last two seasons went. 17-5. A third place and second place finish. A rare playoff bid. Accolades galore for the defensive unit and Bauman. I fully expect things to be a bit down next season with the sheer number of losses on the defense and the fact that you just don't replace a back like Bauman but I do know there are some positives in place. Lots of young guys are going to have to step up, though. I'll be in Tempe, tolerating the shit-talking frats on Mill Avenue, to start the season. Contemplating a rare road trip to see the NAU football game in Portland next season. A really good NAU friend of mine is living up there now with his family and I dig that town to boot.

Mens basketball looks to be a bit rough around the edges (lotsa turnovers so far) but the sheer number of new/young players will make it exciting. Womens basketball is looking decent, if not spectacular. NAU is ranked #25 in the Learfield Sports Directors Cup courtesy of great finishes in cross country and competitive football/volleyball/soccer seasons. Crazy but cool.