The NAU Lumberjacks took in a devastating loss as the Arizona Wildcats put up a 70-burger on the team from Flagstaff. The defeat ended up sending the Jacks out of the Top 25 in the FCS but the team will look to correct itself in a battle in the Big Sky against rival Montana this Saturday.
The Grizzlies and Jacks did not meet up last year but that assuredly doesn’t make Montana forget the quick 34 to 16 drubbing they took in Flagstaff on Family Weekend two years ago. This time the battle is in Montana and with the opening of conference play the Grizzlies will look to get their season on the right track and get to .500 on the year.
Jacks must convert third downs
One of the biggest problems with the Jacks offense is the fact that they rely too heavily on early first downs on their drives. Once third down comes it seems that the offense likes to tense up and ends up merely being an early player to the punt unit. Through the first three games of the season the Jacks have yet to crack the 50% mark on third down efficiency. That being said, besides the U of A game the Jacks have not created less than 20 first downs for themselves during their contests. In Big Sky play however they will need to create their chances on third down by setting up intermediate throws and strong runs to control the clock and keep the Montana Grizzlies offense off the field for as long as possible.
Making the Case for Cookus
There was a lot of talk on Northern Arizona’s campus about incoming prospect Case Cookus at quarterback. The position last year was filled with question marks and injuries that created a carousel that seemed to be set to light speed at times. With Cookus now under center the Jacks look to have some stability for the first time in a long time. The impressive talent has come up in spades for the team in their early competitions and the best show he’s put on yet was his 261 yard and three touchdown performance against New Mexico Highlands two weeks ago. His effectiveness at scrambling away from danger and hitting the deep ball has opened up more opportunities for an offense that often times last year saw eight men in the box to guard the run game. The biggest help having Cookus there should go to Casey Jahn and the rest of the running back corp in Flagstaff as they look to improve the ground game and chew up the clock.
Defense in need of pick-me-up
Even if it is against a Top 25 FBS unit, a defense that gives up 77 points in a single game is a serious confidence destroyer. However there have been questions towards this defensive unit at times as last season saw a lot of close games for the Jacks. During a three week winning streak last season the Jacks held onto those games by a combined 11 points. Last season there was a lot of issues with the offense and the lack of any real consistency on that part of the ball which caused a lot of three and outs and put the defense on their heels early and often. This year the Jacks do not have graduated senior Austin Hasquet to lead and motivate the team through those moments anymore. Instead they look to All-American Fourth Teamer and All-Big Sky corner Marcus Alford to bring the defense together and put intense pressure on the Grizzlies to force an error and take advantage of each one that comes their way.
The Jacks will kick off in Missoula against No. 14 Montana this Saturday at 1 p.m. PT.