Oct. 25, 2009
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- Northern Arizona took advantage of two ISU turnovers in the final 2:11 of the first half, turning what looked to be a close game going into halftime into a 33-10 NAU advantage as the #24 Lumberjacks took care of the Bengals 40-12 at the Walkup Skydome, handing the Bengals their 20th straight road loss.
The loss also was the 14th straight conference road loss, tying the Big Sky record held by Northern Colorado. It didn't start out like a loss though, as ISU, down 3-0, moved right down the field on seven plays, the final two being Russel Hill connections to Jaron Taylor. The first was a tip-toe sideline out pattern for 20 yards, and the second a laser pass in the end zone for 18 yards and a 7-3 lead.
NAU however responded with another field goal and then back-to-back touchdown drives. The first came after ISU missed several tackles, allowing a 33-yard punt return by Conrad Meadows to the ISU 43. Three plays later, Austin Shanks to an end around for 24 yards and a 13-7 lead. NAU then scored early in the second quarter when Alex Henderson scored the first of his two touchdowns making it 20-7.
ISU and NAU traded field goals before ISU finally forced a stop, and Ryan Rauschert's punt drove Andrew Benavides back to his own 25 yard line, but he fumbled the ball. He then elected to try and pick it up instead of falling on it and the ball squirted free again, and with 2:11 left, NAU recovered. Three plays later NAU scored on a broken play as a second straight snap from shotgun was into the ground, but Alex Henderson ended up with it and raced around the corner for a 9-yard touchdown.
Benavides then made up for the fumble with a 73-yard kickoff return, but Hill threw an ill-advised pass from the NAU 19, and Stevon Thomas picked it off at the 17 and raced to the ISU 4, getting caught by Hill, and that led to a field goal and a 33-10 halftime lead for NAU.
ISU got another big return from Benavides to start the second half, returning the kick 54 yards, but that play turned frightening when Benavides landed right on his head after a tackle, and he had to be sent to the hospital in an ambulance, although a CAT scan was negative and he was moving his arms and legs and gave the crowd a thumbs up when he left the field. He was kept overnight in Flagstaff and is probably out for the reminder of the season.
NAU scored early in the third to make it 40-10, and it stayed that way until 48 second remained, when NAU snapped a ball on a punt out of the end zone for a safety.
For ISU, they gained 294 yards, including 77 on the ground. Clint Knickrehm had 55 on 15 carries, and Skylar Morgan added 29, including a 27-yard run, ISU's longest of the season. Russel Hill went 16-of-26 passing for 180 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and Evan Mozzochi in his first extended action of his career went 4-of-15 for 37 yards.
Jaron Taylor had six catches to move ahead of Brett Fowler on the all-time receptions list with 140, and John Vanderwielen was again superb with a 44.4 yard average. Phillip Arias led the defense with 11 tackles.
For NAU, Michael Herrick showed why he is a candidate for offensive player of the year, going 24-of-37 for 272 yards and a touchdown. Henderson scored two touchdowns on the ground and had 132 yards rushing. Matt Myers was perfect with four field goals and four extra points.
ISU now travels to Montana State next Saturday for a Halloween game at 1:37 pm on Altitude Sports.
NOTES: Russel Hill's 180 yards passing moved him from fifth to second in career yards at ISU with 5,720, two yards ahead of Mark Hetherington ... Jarrett Huk's 33-yard second quarter field goal was his shortest career attempt ... Chad O'Donnell's fourth quarter sacks ended a drought of 17 consecutive quarters without a sack ... for the first time this season ISU registered more tackles for loss (five) then their opponent (three) ... ISU didn't pick up a takeaway for the first time this season.
