Week 8 - #19 Sac State vs Northern Arizona
The 19th ranked Hornets (4-2, 3-0 BSC) host a feisty Northern Arizona (3-3, 2-1 BSC) Lumberjack team that is coming into this week on a hot streak. NAU got off to a rough start to the season, but got a week 3 FBS upset win over Arizona, 21-19. The Lumberjack lost their BSC opener at UNC in OT, 17-10, before winning handily in their next 2 games against ISU, 48-17, and SUU, 59-35. NAU is a few plays away from being undefeated in conference play.
Offensively, the Lumberjacks primarily run out of the pistol but also utilizes various single back looks. They do run some RPO but it has not been their primary look. This offense has been rolling the past few weeks and looks to be hitting on all cylinders coming into this game. NAU currently is the 6th best scoring offense in the BSC (26.8 ppg) and 2nd most productive (449.7 ypg). QB RJ Martinez (81/127, 1082 yds, 9 TD, 1 INT, 36 car, 194 yds, 3 TD) has been on fire the last couple of weeks. Martinez is small in stature but has a big arm that is accurate down the field and is a viable running threat to pick up chunk yardage off of the RPO or a scramble. His top targets at WR are Coleman Owen (25 rec, 434 yds, 4 TD) and Hendrix Johnson (18 rec, 363 yds, 4 TD) and both are down the field threats. The Jacks have a power running game in RB Kevin Daniels (88 car, 564 yds, 2 TD) who can move the pile when called upon.
Defensively NAU operates out of the 4-2-5 and they have had their struggles this season. The Lumberjack defense is 7th in the BSC in scoring (27.3 ppg) and 9th in yards allowed (409.5 ypg). S Morgan Vest (52 tkl, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT) leads the NAU defense in tackles and interceptions and DE Carson Taylor (23 tkl, 8 TFL, 5 sack) has generated the biggest disruption in opponents backfields.
NAU’s K Luis Aguilar (5/11 FG, 18/19 PAT) has struggled with his accuracy but has some range as he has made one from 41 yards out. NAU has had a FG blocked. NAU is 4th in the BSC in KR average with 25.9 ypr with Draycen Hall (31.0 ypr) leading the way.
This game could devolve into a shootout if the Hornet defense doesn’t come prepared. The Hornets could have some trouble with NAU’s power running game if they have to bring an extra guy into the box to slow it down, which would open things up for NAU’s explosive passing attack. On the other side of the ball, NAU will struggle to slow down the Hornet offense if the Hornet QBs continue to play at a high level. The Hornets will need to keep Carson Taylor in check as he has the tendency to disrupt plays in the backfield. The Hornets have the advantage in the place kicking game, but as always the coverage will continue to be a liability. NAU has struggled on the road this year, and I expect the Hornets to stay focused on the task at hand and take care of business. The Hornets should win this game if they can maintain their high level of play.
Stingers Up!
The 19th ranked Hornets (4-2, 3-0 BSC) host a feisty Northern Arizona (3-3, 2-1 BSC) Lumberjack team that is coming into this week on a hot streak. NAU got off to a rough start to the season, but got a week 3 FBS upset win over Arizona, 21-19. The Lumberjack lost their BSC opener at UNC in OT, 17-10, before winning handily in their next 2 games against ISU, 48-17, and SUU, 59-35. NAU is a few plays away from being undefeated in conference play.
Offensively, the Lumberjacks primarily run out of the pistol but also utilizes various single back looks. They do run some RPO but it has not been their primary look. This offense has been rolling the past few weeks and looks to be hitting on all cylinders coming into this game. NAU currently is the 6th best scoring offense in the BSC (26.8 ppg) and 2nd most productive (449.7 ypg). QB RJ Martinez (81/127, 1082 yds, 9 TD, 1 INT, 36 car, 194 yds, 3 TD) has been on fire the last couple of weeks. Martinez is small in stature but has a big arm that is accurate down the field and is a viable running threat to pick up chunk yardage off of the RPO or a scramble. His top targets at WR are Coleman Owen (25 rec, 434 yds, 4 TD) and Hendrix Johnson (18 rec, 363 yds, 4 TD) and both are down the field threats. The Jacks have a power running game in RB Kevin Daniels (88 car, 564 yds, 2 TD) who can move the pile when called upon.
Defensively NAU operates out of the 4-2-5 and they have had their struggles this season. The Lumberjack defense is 7th in the BSC in scoring (27.3 ppg) and 9th in yards allowed (409.5 ypg). S Morgan Vest (52 tkl, 2.5 TFL, 2 INT) leads the NAU defense in tackles and interceptions and DE Carson Taylor (23 tkl, 8 TFL, 5 sack) has generated the biggest disruption in opponents backfields.
NAU’s K Luis Aguilar (5/11 FG, 18/19 PAT) has struggled with his accuracy but has some range as he has made one from 41 yards out. NAU has had a FG blocked. NAU is 4th in the BSC in KR average with 25.9 ypr with Draycen Hall (31.0 ypr) leading the way.
This game could devolve into a shootout if the Hornet defense doesn’t come prepared. The Hornets could have some trouble with NAU’s power running game if they have to bring an extra guy into the box to slow it down, which would open things up for NAU’s explosive passing attack. On the other side of the ball, NAU will struggle to slow down the Hornet offense if the Hornet QBs continue to play at a high level. The Hornets will need to keep Carson Taylor in check as he has the tendency to disrupt plays in the backfield. The Hornets have the advantage in the place kicking game, but as always the coverage will continue to be a liability. NAU has struggled on the road this year, and I expect the Hornets to stay focused on the task at hand and take care of business. The Hornets should win this game if they can maintain their high level of play.
Stingers Up!
