Football Upset at Sacramento State 27-24

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento State dominated the third quarter and picked off Michael Herrick two times in the fourth quarter to upset 21st-ranked Northern Arizona 27-24 Saturday at Hornet Stadium. It snapped a four-game winning streak by the Lumberjacks and was the third consecutive loss in Sacramento by NAU.

NAU dropped 5-3, 4-2 in Big Sky play, while Sacramento State improved to 3-5, 3-3.

The Hornets ran the ball in the decisive third quarter, starting with a 15-play, 62-yard drive that ate up more than seven minutes to start the second half. The 23-yard field goal by Chris Diniz pulled the Hornets within four at 24-20. After a 3-and-out by NAU, Sacramento State finished off a 75-yaard drive with a 1-yard run by Jason Smith on fourth down to take the lead 27-24.

NAU did not score again as Herrick was picked off twice in the second half. It was the first interception for Herrick in four games, snapping a streak of 175 attempts. The Lumberjacks final effort got kicker Matt Myers in position for a game-tying field goal from 55 yards but the attempt was wide right.

Herrick finished 31-for-44 for 376 yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Alex Henderson finished with 98 yards and a touchdown. Senior Conrad Meadows had a team-best 97 yards on eight receptions with a touchdown.

Sacramento State running back Sam McCowan had a game-high 130 yards.

The Lumberjacks fell behind 17-7 in the first half after the Hornets scored 17 unanswered points putting an early Halloween scare into the Lumberjacks. NAU opened the game with a 9-play, 86-yard drive to take an early lead on a 30-yard pass from Herrick to Meadows.

After two quick drives, the Hornets ran a fake punt that brought life back to the sideline and the crowd. Smith hit Brandyn Reed on a 42-yard pass for a touchdown to change the momentum of the game quickly. The Hornets added a field goal after forcing a fumble on the next drive and posted a 10-play drive for a score early in the second quarter.

The fortunes for the Lumberjacks changed with just over seven minutes left in the second quarter. Senior linebacker Zac McNally intercepted Smith and almost ran it back. Henderson ran it in from two yards on the next play. NAU took the lead on a 52-yard strike to Shanks from Herrick two minutes later setup by an interception by Raphael Mack.

NAU forced a third turnover in the half, forcing a fumble on a punt return with Tanner Hansler creating another opportunity with Myers hitting a 31-yard field in the second half.

NAU will travel to Ole Miss next week for a game against the Rebels in Oxford, Miss. The game will be televised by Comcast Sports Southeast and will be available on ESPN Game Plan and ESPN360.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 Arizona time.

Photo by Jerry Johnsen