Box score
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Coming off two road games against NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision teams — a 63-6 loss to Arizona and a 17-14 upset of UNLV — Northern Arizona was eager to have its home opener tonight in the Walkup Skydome.
Unfortunately for Fort Lewis — an NCAA Division II team — the Division I Football Championship Series Lumberjacks were too eager. Before the first quarter had ended, NAU had built a 27-0 lead en route to a 69-0 victory.
“We just got outmatched today,” said third-year FLC head coach Cesar Rivas-Sandoval. “Obviously, we went into the game knowing we were going into it with some key injuries at major positions like quarterback, safety, and defensive line. And they were coming off a big win over UNLV.”
Still, Rivas-Sandoval was happy that his young team, many of whom are Arizona natives, got the chance to play up a division.
“Anytime you play up, it's a great experience for the kids because everyone has aspirations of playing at a higher level. Sometimes you have a reality check and realize how much work you have to put in to get better. That goes for all of us — coaches and players,” he added.
On the first play from scrimmage, NAU's Zach Bauman sprinted for a 75-yard touchdown. Used sparingly, he still amassed for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns on five carries. His second score was a 26-yard burst that pushed the score to 17-0 with 5:41 remaining in the first frame. By quarter's end, Austin Shanks added a 74-yard punt return for a TD and Andy Wilder connected on 34- and 24-yard field goals.
Chase Cartwright took over in the second quarter, connecting on touchdown passes of 30 yards to Ify Umodu and four yards to Covaughn DeBoskie-Johnson. Cartwright finished the game completing 11 of 18 passes for 137 yards and a pair of scores.
His backup, Jordan Perry was 7-of-9 for 74 yards. Perry completed touchdowns of 31 yards to DeBoskie-Johnson with 15 seconds left in the first half (making the score 48-0 at intermission) and three-yards to Umodu midway through the third quarter (pushing the lead to 55-0).
Casey Jahn, who rushed for 111 yards on 16 carries, accounted for NAU's final two touchdowns on short runs.
Fort Lewis sophomore
Cougar Beaubien was forced into starting duty after FLC's four-year starting quarterback
Tim Jenkins was injured late in last week's season-opening 50-0 loss to New Mexico Highlands. Jenkins is expected to return next Saturday's for the Skyhawks'
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tilt at Western New Mexico. Beaubien went 5-of-12 passing for 25 yards and was FLC's leading rusher with 21 yards on nine carries, including a long of 14.
True freshman
Jason Fitzpatrick split time with Beaubien at quarterback, completing 6-of-12 passes for 19 yards and one interception.
Defensive back
Terry Begaye led the Skyhawk defense with seven tackles (three solo). Steven Garcia had seven tackles (five solo) for the Lumberjacks.
Northern Arizona amassed 557 yards of total offense, averaging 8.7 yards per play. Fort Lewis was limited to just 122 yards (1.9 yards per play).
The Skyhawks, who committed five turnovers last week to New Mexico Highlands, protected the ball much better against NAU. Fitzpatrick's pick was the lone turnover by FLC tonight.
“It's time to make a run at the next eight conference games,” said Rivas-Sandoval. “We just have to stay positive.”
Fort Lewis travels to Silver City, N.M., to face Western New Mexico (1-2, 0-1). The Mustangs lost their RMAC opener at home to No. 3 Colorado State-Pueblo today, 35-27.
