FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 10, 2024) – The stages get a little bigger this time of year, but ranked matches are nothing new for the Northern Arizona football team.

The Lumberjacks, nationally ranked in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll at No. 24, prepare to travel to Missoula, Mont., to play No. 14 Montana. It is NAU’s fifth road game in the past six weeks, four of which are against ranked opponents.

Kickoff at Washington-Grizzly Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. Mountain Standard time on ESPN+ and on Scripps Sports. For fans in the Phoenix or Tucson area, the game will be broadcast on KNXV 15.2 in Phoenix and KGUN 9.3 in Tucson. Mitch Strohman and Kevin Stephens will also be guests on the Northern Arizona Healthcare NAU Lumberjack Radio Network.

Northern Arizona is 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in Big Sky Conference play, most recently falling to No. 10 Idaho by a score of 23-17. NAU trailed 20-10 at halftime but did not allow a touchdown in the second half. PJ London stepped in at quarterback in the second half due to an injury Ty Pennington and scored his first career touchdown on a two-yard rush to give NAU a chance to win at the end, but the ‘Jacks couldn’t capitalize.

The Grizzlies are 4-2 overall and are also 1-1 in conference action after losing 55-48 at home to Weber State last week.

Saturday will be NAU’s first trip to Missoula since 2017, where the Lumberjacks lost 17-15. Last season, Northern Arizona got the best of the No. 13 ranked Grizzlies in Flagstaff. NAU was 0-3 at the time and led from start to finish to defeat Montana 28-14. It was Montana’s only regular-season loss in 2023 and its only loss until the FCS National Championship.

This weekend’s game is the 53rd meeting overall with the Griz holding a 37-15 lead. In Missoula, Montana owns a 20-5 overall record, including 14-2 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Since 2010, Montana has a slim 5-4 lead over NAU, with the Lumberjacks winning once in a row. Northern Arizona hasn’t won in Missoula since 2012, losing two in a row.

NAU’s defense has been a big story so far this season. As a team, the ‘Jacks are ranked 13th^e nationally in total defense, allowing just 296.0 yards per game. Additionally, NAU ranks 19th^e nationally in scoring defense (20.3), 31^st in interceptions with five, third in kickoff return defense (13.00) and sixth in third down conversion percentage defense (.267).

Alex McLaughlin leads the team with 39 total tackles and 3.5 sacks, followed by Ammon Allen (38 tackles) and Tommy Ellis (36 tackles). Four different Lumberjacks have recovered a fumble and five different players have at least one interception this season.
The Lumberjack defense will have their work cut out for them as Montana ranks third in the FCS in rushing offense with 264.7 rushing yards per game and second in total offense with 502.7 yards per game. Eli Gillman leads the conference with 634 rushing yards on 68 carries, good for 10 rushing touchdowns. Nick Ostmo follows with 460 yards and three scores.

For the lumberjack violation, yes Darvon Hubbard who leads the team in rushing yards with 287 yards on 59 carries. In a balanced running attack, three other ‘Jacks have run for over 160 yards so far this season.

Tight end Bryzai White leads the Lumberjacks with 273 receiving yards on 17 catches and three touchdowns, and has scored in two consecutive games. He is followed by Tay Lanier with 212 yards on 17 catches. Ty Pennington has started all six games and completed 83 of his 126 pass attempts for 957 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.

Northern Arizona returns to Findlay Toyota Field in the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome for Homecoming on Oct. 19 against Idaho State. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM MST.