Football Wins Home Open Opener Over Southern Utah

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Senior running back Alex Henderson ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns as Northern Arizona posted a 42-39 victory over Southern Arizona, winning its 17th consecutive home opener dating back to 1992. NAU improved to 1-1, while the Thunderbirds dropped to 1-2.

“It was good for our program to get a win,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “It has been a while. I was proud of our guys to find a way to grit it out at the end. Our games with Southern Utah are always a dog fight and it goes right to the very end. This game was not any different.”

NAU lost its season opener at Arizona last week, extending its losing streak to five games after dropping the final four games in 2008.

The Lumberjacks scored four times in the first half and built its lead to 35-14 on a 57-yard run for a touchdown by Henderson on the first drive of the second half. But SUU fought back with four second-half scores to pull within three points at 42-39 but NAU was able to run down the clock and hold off a final play by the Thunderbirds.

Quarterback Michael Herrick was an efficient 15-for-21 for 306 yards and touchdown, while the running backs gained 248 yards behind Henderson’s 165 yards and with long scoring runs by Giovannie Dixon, who had seven carries for 47 yards, and Austin Shanks.

“I feel real strong about how our offensive line played tonight and how Alex Henderson ran the ball,” said Souers. “Giovannie gave us a nice changeup in the backfield.”

Senior wide receiver Conrad Meadows had his third 100-yard receiving game with four receptions for 121 yards. Henderson added three catches for 64 yards. Daiveun Curry-Chapman had three catches and a touchdown, scoring the first touchdown of the game on a 5-yard reception from Herrick.

Linebacker Reid Worthington had a game-high 11 tackles, while safety Matt Estrada added 10 tackles.

“It is early in the year,” said Souers. “For us to get a win is huge. When you are struggling it is easy to find ways to lose games. The key was we won.”

SUU quarterback Cade Cooper completed 33-for-48 passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns.

NAU will host Big Sky rival Montana next week in the second of a three-game homestand. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.