Football looks to even score at Arizona Christian

9/8/2023 12:00:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

DURANGO, Colo. – Searching for its first win of the season, the Fort Lewis College football team will head to Glendale, Ariz., and Arizona Christian University for the first time in program history in hopes of avenging last season's week one loss to ACU at home on Ray Dennison Memorial Field. The Skyhawks and Firestorm will kick off under the lights at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time.

Game Information
Saturday, Sep. 9 – 8:00 p.m. MDT
At Arizona Christian
ACU Football Field – Glendale, Ariz.

Last Time Out
Head coach Johnny Cox's Skyhawks made the trip to Liberty, Mo., to open the season against William Jewell in the program's first bout with the Cardinals. When the dust settled Fort Lewis gained 324 yards of total offense – more than all but one game last season – but came home empty-handed as William Jewell emerged with the 42-6 victory. Trey Goughnour, a five-foot-eight junior running back, also rushed for 55 yards: another mark larger than all but one individual performance from last season. Starting quarterback Braden Wingle connected with true freshman Zachary Gaumont on a 66-yard dime for FLC's lone score of the game.

Scouting the Firestorm
Arizona Christian, the leader in votes received (30) and the first team outside of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football FirstDown PlayBook Top 25 Poll, currently stands identical to Fort Lewis with an 0-1 record through week one of play. The Firestorm fell on the road at NAIA 17^th-ranked Ottawa University of Arizona by a 37-7 score.

Senior quarterback Tyler Duncan, who torched the Skyhawks for 178 yards and four touchdowns last season, rolled out 169 yards through the air on 13 completions in 24 attempts (54.2%) for one touchdown and one interception while being sacked seven times. The Firestorm, however, only produced 48 rushing yards in the game. Ottawa went off for 556 yards of total offense: 277 yards on the ground and 279 yards through the air.

Alumni Event
Fort Lewis alumni are encouraged to join Skyhawks Athletics and the FLC Alumni Association for a pregame social hosted at Kimmy'z on Greenway in Glendale, Ariz. With a ticket price of $20.00, the event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and includes food, a drink ticket, and entry to the game. To register for the social event, click HERE.

Looking Ahead
Fort Lewis will take on the invading Cowboys from New Mexico Highlands University next Saturday, Sep. 16, to mark the 2023 home opener and the start of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Ray Dennison Memorial Field. Gates will open 90 minutes before kick-off.

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