Yeah, I know nobody cares, so I waited until the weekend's other football forays were finished to "say something." Hey, it's NAU's first ever football playoff win! It's huge! Really! I swear!

Now they're at home against Florida Atlantic University in the quarterfinals! And FAU is the alma mater of one of my childhood chums. This is as good as it gets for division I-AA alums! It's beautiful.

Woo hoo!

--------------------

NAU stuns McNeese St. in I-AA playoffs

Lumberjacks jump out to early lead, never look back
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/1130naugamer.html

Sonny Marks
Special for The Arizona Republic
Nov. 30, 2003

LAKE CHARLES, LA. - Northern Arizona shocked top-ranked McNeese State 35-3 Saturday in the first round of the I-AA football playoffs, the Lumberjacks' first postseason win in school history.

NAU led 21-3 at halftime, then piled it on in the second half. McNeese fans started leaving Cowboy Stadium in the third quarter.

NAU (9-3) will play host to Florida Atlantic next Saturday in the second round. The Owls, coached by former Miami coach Howard Schnellenberger, beat Bethune-Cookman 32-24 Saturday.

NAU quarterback Jason Murietta threw five touchdowns to five different receivers to set the I-AA record for touchdown passes thrown by a freshman. His 27 touchdowns surpassed the mark of 25 set five years ago by Cal State-Northridge's Marcus Brady.

McNeese (10-2) was held to its lowest offensive output of the season, 190 yards.

Murietta, a graduate of Glendale Ironwood, got help from All-American punter Mark Gould and return specialist Johnny Marshall. Gould twice pinned McNeese on the 3-yard line and once on the 4-yard line, all in the first half. Marshall kept NAU in scoring position all night with three punt returns for 41 yards and a 38-yard kickoff return.

NAU's maligned pass defense held McNeese to 132 yards passing. It was the least the Lumberjacks allowed all season.

NAU drove 69 yards in five minutes for its first score. Murietta scrambled and found Chris Nash in the back of the end zone for a 9-yard score with 2:19 left in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, NAU started a drive at McNeese State 11-yard-line after Marshall's 16-yard punt return and a late-hit flag. On NAU's first play of the drive, junior Ramen Green caught his first touchdown pass, an 11-yarder from Murietta.

After a McNeese field goal cut it to 14-3 midway through the second quarter, Marshall returned the kickoff 38 yards to set up NAU's next touchdown. The Lumberjacks' passing success opened up the running game for running back Roger Robinson. On third down at the McNeese 7, Murietta stayed in traffic and found Clarence Moore for a touchdown.

With 3:06 left in the third quarter, Murietta's 5-yard touchdown pass to Marshall sent Cowboy fans to the exits. The 50-60 Lumberjack fans behind their team's bench continued to root.

Game could be biggest in NAU history

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/1202naufootnb1202.html
Mark Shaffer
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 2, 2003 12:00 AM

FLAGSTAFF - Steve Verkamp has been to every Northern Arizona home football game for the past 25 years and a good chunk of the Big Sky Conference road games to remote, frigid outposts like Cheney, Wash., and Bozeman, Mont.

So, take it to the bank when Verkamp, the U.S. Magistrate judge for northern Arizona, says that Saturday's 6 p.m. I-AA quarterfinal game against Florida Atlantic at Walkup Skydome is a big deal. A really big deal.

Even bigger than when NAU's basketball team went to the NCAA Tournament in 1998 and 2000 and lost close games in the first round to Cincinnati and St. John's, respectively, Verkamp said.

"When you rout the No. 1 team in the country (McNeese State, 35-3) on their home field and come back home to play the next round, I'd say this is the biggest thing that's ever happened in NAU sports," Verkamp said. "My son was out in the bars Saturday night, and there was a big buzz about this team. That's all people were talking about."

For the record, the only other time NAU even won a game in the postseason was in 1958, when it advanced to the NAIA championship game before losing to Northeastern Oklahoma 19-13.

Before last Saturday, NAU had lost once in the first round of the Division II playoffs and three times in the first round of the I-AA playoffs, most recently to Sam Houston State in 2001.

"I hope this will be the game that they have to bring out the temporary bleachers to put behind the end zones," Verkamp said. "Many years ago, we used to pack the Skydome when Flagstaff was half the population it is now. This would be a great time for that to happen again."

If NAU wins, it plays the winner Western Illinois vs. Colgate on Dec. 13.

Enjoyed our visit to Flagstaff this past summer. Happy to hear that NAU did well in their first game.

However, Western should defeat them handily.

I guess.

Since NAU just won its first ever Div. I-AA playoff game, I'm going slow.

Go 'Jacks!

A first worth savoring

http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=77858

By ED ODEVEN
Sun Sports Staff
11/30/2003

< view additional photos >

McNeese State cornerback Keith Smith (24) and Northern Arizona receiver Clarence Moore (6) jump for a pass in the end zone during the first quarter of an NCAA Division I-AA playoff game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, in Lake Charles, La. (AP Photo/Rick Hickman). LAKE CHARLES, La. -- Cowboy Stadium, located on the campus of McNeese State University, is known to locals as "The Hole."

Perhaps today's the day to rename it The Place Where Cowboys Leave Crying. For that's what McNeese State and their fans did Saturday night following an atypical, pathetic effort.

Meanwhile, Northern Arizona freshman quarterback Jason Murrietta completed 24 of 34 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns as the Lumberjacks upset No. 1 McNeese State 35-3 Saturday before 14,300 for their first ever Division I-AA playoff victory. Murrietta established a NCAA Division I-AA for freshman quarterbacks with 27 TD passes, mark previously held by Marcus Brady of Cal State-Northridge (26) in 1998.

NAU (9-3) advances to play Florida Atlantic in the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs next Saturday at the Skydome. The Owls, who are coached by former Miami and Oklahoma mentor Howard Schnellenberger, defeated Bethune-Cookman 32-24 Saturday.

"This is a big accomplishment for our players and our coaches," NAU coach Jerome Souers said. "I'm proud of them. To play a program steeped in playoff tradition and to dominate them is something special."

The Cowboys (11-2) had been ranked No. 1 in the country for 12 straight weeks, but they did not play like the nation's best team. Mental miscues were a problem all evening.

"They came in here and did the things you need to do to win a playoff game on the road," McNeese State coach Tommy Tate said. "It's a disappointing end to our season. But I'm very proud of our team.

"We didn't make the plays we needed to make against a very good Northern Arizona team."

After both teams punted on each of their first two possessions, the Lumberjacks started marching down the field midway through the first quarter, starting at their own 31. Murrietta zipped a 9-yard TD pass to Chris Nash in the back of the end zone on third down to give NAU a 7-0 lead with 2:19 to go in the quarter.

Twenty-five yards in penalties, including a dead-ball personal foul by MSU helped the Jacks' cause during that first scoring drive. And Murrietta showcased his elusive running abilities, dancing his way for a 13-yard pickup and shaking off four tacklers for a key first-down pickup.

"Jason once again did a great job leading the team," Nash said. "He did what he's done all season."

The Lumberjacks' offense did a solid job of involving all of their playmakers in the mix in the opening stanza, with receivers Nash, Johnny Marshall and Clarence Moore, running backs Roger Robinson and Ryan Williams and tight ends Tom Winn and Josh Hamlin all picking up yardage. That helped NAU control the ball for 11:03 in the first quarter, reminiscent of the Jacks' first-half effort at Portland State in September that was highlighted by an 18-play opening drive.

An 11-yard TD strike from Murrietta to Ramen Green, a Sinagua High School graduate, made it 14-0 with 12:58 remaining in the second quarter.


A 15-yard personal foul on MSI was added to the end of a 16-yard punt return by Marshall to give NAU the ball at the Cowboys 11. Then Green, a fourth-year junior, made the first TD grab of his college career.

The Cowboys answered with a 12-play, 73-yard drive capped by John Marino's 27-yard field goal to make it 14-3 with 8:23 left in the second quarter.

NAU countered with a 7-yard TD pass from Murrietta to Clarence Moore to increase the score to 21-3 with 5:28 left before halftime.

"I've got to give credit to the entire team," Murrietta said. "We executed as a group, offensively, defensively and on special teams. We did what we had to do."

Marshall's 38-yard kickoff return -- a superb blend of upfield blocking and Marshall's sprinter speed to the outside (remember he's also starred for Ron Mann's Lumberjack track teams) -- put the Lumberjacks in good field position at their own 44.

NAU took a commanding 28-3 lead with 3:06 to go in the third quarter when Murrietta hit Marshall for a 5-yard TD strike.

NAU completed the scoring on Murrietta's 8-yard TD pass to Nash with 7:40 remaining. The play was a microcosm of the season, as Murrietta dashed around, bought time and didn't appear fazed -- all the instincts freshman QBs aren't supposed to have.

Quietly, the Lumberjacks defense played a brilliant game. MSU was held to 190 total yards and controlled the clock for just 20:37. Vick King, a 1,000-yard rusher for two years in a row, was held to 81 yards on 16 carries and the Cowboys amassed 58 yards on 28 carries. Their passing attack never got into a rhythm, either, and finished 11-for-28.

A slew of Lumberjacks led the defensive charge, including Brent Daniels and Jason Jacobs with a team-high five tackles apiece, Doug Harding with four stops and a sack. Linebackers Vince Henman and Ian Gunderman and end John Perrigo both added two tackles for loss.

"It's a new season and we started it by beating the No. 1 team in the nation at home. É Defense wins championships," Gunderman said.

I seen them play Arizona State and they were great. If it wasn't for a few missed field goals the game would've been closer then it was. The Freshman Murietta looked good but the star of that team is clearly Clarence Moore.

The Dome is going to be crazy. The noise just bounces around in there. It's insane when it's half full.

when I was at Arizona State the only thing coming out of Flagstaff was bong smoke.

Nice win!

They are in the waiting list on both of the top 25 polls.

They look good.

we need to beat Arizona at least the home game, and win against UCLA, something we didnt manage to do in the nineties.

:D

How long have you been there?

Since the summer.

are you a student? Or...?

Is Charly's still THE joint for blues and jazz?

I haven't been to a show at Charley's, although I went to a DK meet-up there.

NAU has suffered from major cutbacks and tution hikes (like 99.9% of everywhere else), and the student paper is atrocious. I haven't delved too deeply into what student life is like there, but it's the kind of thing that makes me cynical about the future. :-)

If I had the money, I'd get my Master's in History, just for kicks, because I haven't lived in a college town since Seattle. Ah well.

I love Flagstaff by the way. Natural beauty, good weather, not too big, not too small, and a laid back way of life that suits me in my late youth/pre-middle age.

We would've stayed, if there was work to be found. Not that there was much work to be found anywhere in May 1992. Glad to hear you enjoy northern Arizona. You a hiker, biker, backpacker?

in about five years or so. (It's between, Flagstaff, Santa Fe or, if we stay in CA, Pacific Grove.)

She's afraid that Flag is freeper country. How is the political climate there?

Thanks and best -- :toast:

This is one of 2 Democratic strongholds in the state (the other is Tucson). Even our local paper has balance, with plenty of anti-Bush letters and editorials - far better than the heavily GOP-Bush-loving Phoenix paper. With a college, the outdoor culture, and the foothold the Democratic Babbitt family has, this is pretty good for AZ. Phoenix and rural AZ are freeper-thick, but this is now a swing state - it went with Clinton in the '96 election, for example.

Overall, Flagstaff is pretty straight down the middle. Our district is huge for Congress, and we do have a Repuke, but he barely won election last year, and is already considered vulnerable.

Avoid Santa Fe, it sucks - much dirtier and uglier than you would expect. It's beautiful here in Flag, which is considered the 8th healthiest city to live in the US, clean air and all.

Outstanding "inside" information. Appreciate it very much!

Best -- :toast:

No ordinary frosh

http://www.azdailysun.com/non_sec/nav_includes/story.cfm?storyID=77921

By ED ODEVEN
Sun Sports Staff
12/02/2003

Northern Arizona quarterback Jason Murrietta picked a perfect week to have one of the finest games of his fantastic freshman season last Saturday.

In leading the 16th-ranked Lumberjacks to a stirring 35-3 victory in the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs at No. 1 McNeese State Saturday, Murrietta completed 24 of 35 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns. The five TD passes tied his career high set at Weber State on Oct. 4, while the 24 completions matched his second-best output from the same game.

For Murrietta, it's games like Saturday's that have attracted the attention of college football writers, broadcasters and sports information directors all season. Monday's news was a validation of that, as Murrietta tied for seventh in the 2003 Walter Payton Award voting, The Sports Network announced. Murrietta, who tied wideout Efrem Hill of Samford for the seventh spot, finished with six third-place votes, 15 fourth-place votes and 10 fifth-place votes.

"I think the kid's got a lot of opportunities ahead of him," NAU senior left tackle Sean Funke said of Murrietta's quick ascent to stardom. "He's a freshman. He came in here and exploded. His career just blew up. He's got a lot of leadership that is going to help the team in the future.

"Just being a freshman and bringing the team to where we are right now is going to help him realize what he wants to do every year and help him lead his teams from here on out."

Since completing 8 of 14 passes for 72 yards against Portland State on Sept. 20, Murrietta has thrown for 200-plus yards and at least one TD in nine consecutive games. He is the No. 1 rated freshman passer in I-AA and the sixth-rated passer in all of I-AA with a 152.8 pass-efficiency rating. This season, Murrietta has passed for 3,259 yards and 27 touchdowns (a new I-AA freshman record, shattering the previous record of 25 by Marcus Brady of Cal State-Northridge in '98).

(North Dakota State student here)

I sure hope so.

What division are you in currently?

We're officially going to be D-I once the baseball season ends this spring. This winter and spring will have the last DII athletic seasons for NDSU.

Starting in fall, we're gonna temporarily be D-I independent in all sports except football, where we're going to be a I-AA independent.

We're currently looking at three options (Football is the meal ticket here, so any move we make would revolve around football):

1) Move to the Big Sky Conference for everything except baseball and wrestling, whereas we would be either independents, or form other conferences in those sports

2) Move football to the Gateway Football Conference, and move all other sports to the Mid-Continent Conference (I like to call it the "Incontinent Conference":D) or possibly the Horizon League or Missouri Valley Conference

3) Form a football-only conference with Northern Colorado, South Dakota State (who is also upgrading to DI), Cal-Poly SLO, Cal-Davis, Southern Utah and St. Mary's California and call it the "Great Western Conference" with other sports being in either the Mid-Continent, Horizon League or Missouri Valley.

It always amazes me just how much movement there is in college sports. Good luck!

Go 'Jacks!

I heard that el nino shut the place down for a few years. That was some good skiing, considering how close to phoenix it is.

From the reports of pals and family down there. Don't know about this year, but I'm just happy that we've got snow in the Cascades this year! It was so warm last year, that, even though we had average rainfall, the snowpack was a near record low.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/colleges/1203boivin1203.html

NAU pulls success out of thin air
Paola Boivin
Republic columnist
Dec. 3, 2003 12:00 AM

The air in Flagstaff is thin, fresh and, it now appears, rarefied. In a state where Hail Marys aren't plays but weekly penance for shameful efforts on the football field, a surprising alternative can be found among the ponderosa pines of northern Arizona.

The team that was denounced for its off-the-field problems and derided for its on-the-field talent is suddenly among the top eight Division I-AA programs in the country. The NAU
Lumberjacks (9-3) can be among the final four with a victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday night at the Walkup Skydome.

Credit a coach with an understanding of perspective, a quarterback too young and too talented to know better and players who feed off the knowledge that bigger universities snubbed them.

"They're an easy team to love when you see how hard they play," NAU coach Jerome Souers said.

The success starts with Souers, who helped temper a program that could have spiraled out of control. News that numerous players on last year's team had been arrested was diluted only by a report in May that Scottsdale police had arrested Souers for DUI in December.

Souers was distraught about the negative publicity his program generated. He apologized to the school, the city and the Native American community that holds him in such high regard. The community was willing to forgive, maybe because Souers comes across as more educator than attention-monger.

"To suggest (the team rallied around him) would be overstating," said Souers, who is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson award for Division I-AA Coach of the Year. "We kind of operate around here on love and forgiveness. You make a mistake and learn from it and then keep going."

A preseason media poll ranked NAU seventh out of eight Big Sky teams. Uncertainty surrounded the quarterback position. Returning starter Clint Womack lacked consistency, Baylor transfer Guy Tomcheck had shortcomings and Jason Murrietta out of Glendale Ironwood was, well, a freshman.

It didn't matter. Murrietta took over for Tomcheck in the opener against Saint Mary's and was so impressive, the other two quarterbacks transferred.

The 6-foot-1 Murrietta's poise and instincts have made the difference. He has 27 touchdown passes vs. 10 interceptions and is a finalist for the Walter Payton Award for the top Division I-AA player.

One can't help but wonder how a program such as Arizona would have fared with Murrietta, but few schools recruited him.

"It's hard to say why," offensive coordinator Charlie Hall said. "He's not 6-4 like (ASU quarterback) Andrew Walter, he's not the most athletic quarterback, but he's deceptively athletic."

Murrietta said he ultimately decided NAU was the best fit and committed before the deadline.
The marriage is a success for both parties. Flagstaff, a community more willing to embrace a tree than a football team, has jumped on the bandwagon.

It's not just that once the Lumberjacks shed their cloak of indiscretions, they clean up well. It's not just that they have 63 scholarships to a Division I-A program's 85. It's not just that their staff makes a fraction of what the staffs at major universities make.

It's all those things.

"Nobody could write a better script than this," Murrietta said.

None of you are getting through Delaware with a win :grr:

Go 'Jacks!

on Saturday.





U-N-I FIGHT!! U-N-I FIGHT!!

Another Div. II fan! A buddy of mine played wideout at UNI in the early '80s. It would be incredible to see NAU play UNI in the title game! Hey, a boy's gotta have a dream!

http://www.unipanthers.com/foot/displayEvent.asp?eventId=472

I love I-AA football! There's athletes there on par with the glamour schools and so many of them have wide open offenses.

Who is your buddy?

But track was his true calling.

As for Div. II, I'm with you all the way. Though somehow, Portland State found a way to bore the heck out of fans this year. Ack. At least I got to see the 'Jacks run through 'em.