2011-12 Northern Arizona Football

May 10, 2012
Forty-Eight Student-Athletes to Participate in Graduation Ceremonies
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Forty-eight Northern Arizona University student-athletes are participating in spring commencement ceremonies on the NAU campus this weekend and will be commissioned degrees as part of the Class of 2012. It is the second largest graduating class in athletics department history, trailing only the 55 graduates from last spring.

February 29, 2012
Wide Receivers Coach St. Paul Resigns
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona wide receivers coach Francis St. Paul has decided to leave his position to pursue new opportunities with his family.

February 26, 2012
Former Lumberjack Meadows Signs with German League
BERLIN, Germany – Former Lumberjack Conrad Meadows signed with the Berlin Adler Eagles last week to become the third former Lumberjack scheduled to play in the German Football League in the upcoming season. Training camp starts in April in preparation for the start of play in May.

February 17, 2012
Football’s Bachelier Headlines 2012 NFF Scholar Athlete Class
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Northern Arizona football long snapper Ben Bachelier will join Aaron Pflugrad, a star wide receiver at Arizona State University, headlining the 2012 NFF Scholar Athlete Class by the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the National Football Foundation at the 31st Annual Chapter Awards Banquet, March 3, 2012, at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.

February 3, 2012
NAU Places 49 Student-Athletes on Fall Big Sky All-Academic Teams
OGDEN, Utah – The Northern Arizona football, volleyball, soccer and men’s and women’s cross country teams placed a total of 49 student-athletes on the fall 2011 Big Sky All-Academic Teams. The 49 honorees were part of the school-record 3.12 cumulative GPA among all of NAU’s student-athletes during the fall semester.

February 1, 2012
Lumberjack Football Program Adds Talented Class; Nine Players From Arizona
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football program signed 20 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to attend the school in the fall and play football, Head Coach Jerome Souers announced.

January 26, 2012
Q&A: Former Quarterback Lance Kriesien
BELGRADE, Serbia - Former Lumberjack football standout Lance Kriesien has signed with the Belgrade (Serbia) Vukovi to play for the Serbian champs after playing last season in Brisbane, Australia. The Vokivi compete in the Serbian Super League (SAAF) and Central European League (CEFL). They have won titles in the SAAF Serbian Superleague Champions (2009, 2010, 2011) and Central European Football League Champions (2007, 2009, 2010, 2011).

January 25, 2012
Former Linebacker Worthington Joins German League’s New Yorker Lions
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Former linebacker Reid Worthington will join teammate Michael Herrick and play for the New Yorker Lions of the German Football League, the team announced this week.

January 19, 2012
Casino del Sol All-Star Game Recap by Drew Zamora
TUCSON, Ariz. - This will unfortunately be my final blog and recap from my time spent at the Casino Del Sol All Star Game. The game itself had an NFL type speed and execution behind it. Coming off the field i was very pleased with my performance. I really got a hold of a couple punts, two touchbacks on kickoffs, and 3/3 on PATs. My feelings after the game were a mixture of relief, happiness, and a bit of sadness knowing the week was coming to an end. The bitter sweet emotions came back again, the same emotions I felt after my last NAU game when I had to take off the pads for the last time as Lumberjack.

January 18, 2012
NAU Athletics Announces 2012 National Signing Day Event
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - NAU Athletics is hosting its 2012 National Signing Day event on Wednesday, February 1 at Granny's Closet. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. as fans get a unique opportunity to meet some of our current-student athletes as well as learn about the new members of our Lumberjack family.

January 17, 2012
DIRECTV Sports Networks and Big Sky Conference Enter Pact
SEATTLE, Wash. – DIRECTV Sports Networks and the Big Sky Conference have entered into a five-year agreement making DIRECTV Sports Networks and its ROOT SPORTS branded regional sports networks the league’s official TV partner and the home of Big Sky football and basketball. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

January 17, 2012
Football Walkon Meeting Today - Jan. 17
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Football will be holding the semester Walk On Meeting for the Spring 2012 Semester at the Franke College of Business (Building #81 on the campus map) on January 17th, 2012, at 5:00 PM, inside Gardner Auditorium (Room 101). All students who are interested in possibly walking on the NAU Football Team for the 2012 Spring & Fall Semesters are encouraged to attend.

January 16, 2012
Former Quarterback Herrick to Play in German Football League
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Former Northern Arizona quarterback Michael Herrick has signed a contract to play this upcoming season with the New Yorker Lions of the German Football League. Herrick, the all-time leading passer in California prep history while at Valencia High School and All-American at NAU, had been negotiating with several teams in Europe before deciding on the Lions.

January 15, 2012
Casino del Sol College All-Star Blog Day 6 by Drew Zamora
TUCSON, Ariz. - It is day six of the Casino Del Sol All Star game week here in Tucson, Ariz. Today is essentially an off day for players and staff who got to sleep in a little today before short meetings with our separate teams. This blog will highlight some of the community events going on, sponsors and gear we have received, and some personal feelings on the game ahead.

January 14, 2012
Casino del Sol All-Star Game Blog: Drew Zamora
TUCSON, Ariz. - Hello Lumberjack Nation! I hope everyone is off to a great start in 2012. The week is moving right along here in Tucson, Ariz., at the Casino Del Sol College All Star Game. This blog is a nice way for me to reflect on my opportunity and share about my experiences here at the game with some of the greatest coaches in college football and future pro athletes...Enjoy!

January 13, 2012
Lumberjack Talk: Casino del Sol All-Star Game Blog by Brian Riley
TUCSON, Ariz. - The NAU Media Relations office asked me to write about some of my experiences so far at the Casino del Sol All-Star game in Tucson, Ariz. So far it has been an absolute blast. It has been very organized and everyone is having a lot of fun. Practice is ran at an extremely fast pace and we have been doing a lot of hitting since day one.

January 10, 2012
Punter Zamora Becomes Second Lumberjack Chosen for Tucson All-Star Game
TUCSON, Ariz. - Northern Arizona punter Drew Zamora has been selected to play in the Casino del Sol College All-Star Game. The game will be played at Kino Stadium in Tucson on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Arizona.

January 6, 2012
Three Football Players Honored by Beyond Sports College Network
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Three Northern Arizona football players earned All-America honors from the Beyond Sports College Network. Running back Zach Bauman was an All-America second team choice, while quarterback Cary Grossart was a third-team choice. Punter Drew Zamora earned All-America honorable mention accolades.

January 4, 2012
Long Snapper Bachelier Named to FCS Athletic Directors All-Star Team
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Senior long snapper Ben Bachelier is among the 58 players selected to the 14th annual Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team announced by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA).

January 3, 2012
Football’s Riley Chosen for Casino del Sol College All-Star Game in Tucson
TUCSON, Ariz. - Northern Arizona tight end Brian Riley has committed to play in the Casino del Sol College All-Star Game. The game will be played at Kino Stadium in Tucson on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m.

December 30, 2011
Football Adds Junior College Defensive Linemen
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Fullerton College defensive linemen Chima Ike and Steven Garcia have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Northern Arizona University and join the program this spring, Head Coach Jerome Souers announced.

December 15, 2011
Football’s Paden Chosen for FCS Senior Scout Bowl
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Senior wide receiver Khalil Paden will play in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl this Saturday in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The game will be broadcast online starting at 10:45 Arizona time with kickoff at 11 a.m.

December 13, 2011
Bachelier Earns Capital One Academic All-America Honors
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Senior long snapper Ben Bachelier was named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Division I football team as selected by COSIDA, earning a spot on the 22-player second-team along with Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

December 7, 2011
Football’s Ben Bachelier Receives Gold Axe Honor
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Football long snapper Ben Bachelier is one of 23 graduating seniors that were recognized with the prestigious Gold Axe Award for the fall semester at a ceremony at the DuBois Center on the Northern Arizona University campus.

November 22, 2011
Football Places 15 on All-Big Sky Teams; Bauman and Bond Earn First-Team Accolades
OGDEN, Utah – Sophomore running back Zach Bauman and senior defensive lineman Isaac Bond were both selected to the All-Big Sky First Team, the league office announced on Tuesday. Bauman, who was a unanimous selection, and Bond were among 15 Lumberjacks honored on the All-Big Sky teams.

November 19, 2011
Football Drops Season Finale to Southern Utah
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team lost its season finale Saturday to Southern Utah 27-24 at the Walkup Skydome.

November 18, 2011
Football Hosts Southern Utah in Senior Day Contest
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team will host Southern Utah Saturday in the final game of the 2011 season. The Lumberjacks (4-6) will celebrate the careers of 17 seniors in a pregame ceremony before the 3:05 p.m. kickoff at the Walkup Skydome.

November 18, 2011
Football's Dan Pela: Strong on the Field and in the Classroom
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Defensive lineman Dan Pela is the strongest student-athlete on the football team, an attribute that carries over on the football field. Strong can also describe his work in the classroom as well.

November 12, 2011
Football Comes Back, Loses Late Lead in Loss to Weber State
OGDEN, Utah – The Northern Arizona football team scored late and almost came away with a road win before Weber State slashed their comeback effort with a 34-31 victory Saturday in snowy, cold conditions at Stewart Stadium.

November 11, 2011
Football Takes on Weber State in Final Road Contest
OGDEN, Utah – The Northern Arizona football team will take its two-game winning streak on the road to face Weber State Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Stewart Stadium.

November 10, 2011
Four Student-Athletes Honored with Capital One Academic All-District Awards
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona volleyball’s Lauren Campbell and football’s Ben Bachelier and Dan Pela were named to the 2011 Capital One Academic All-District® 8 First-Team as voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

November 7, 2011
Football’s Bauman Named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week
OGDEN, Utah – Sophomore running back Zach Bauman was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. Bauman joined co-Defensive Players of the Week Montana State defensive end Brad Daly and Portland State defensive back DeShawn Shead and Special Teams Player of the Week Montana kicker/punter Brody McKnight among the league honorees this week.

November 5, 2011
Football Led by Bauman in Win over Northern Colorado
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Zach Bauman tallied 245 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns to lead Northern Arizona to a 34-14 victory over Northern Colorado Saturday at the Walkup Skydome Saturday afternoon.

November 4, 2011
Friendship Leads to Opportunity for Northern Arizona's Khalil Paden
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - For wide receiver Khalil Paden, a friendship has been rekindled and his career has exploded with a breakout season in his senior year at Northern Arizona University.

November 1, 2011
Football’s Bauman Named National Running Back of the Week by CFPA/BSN
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Sophomore running back Zach Bauman rushed for a career-high 246 yards against Sacramento State and was named the National Running Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.

October 29, 2011
Bauman and Blocks Held Football to Road Win at Sacramento State
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sophomore running back Zach Bauman rushed for a career-high 246 yards and the go-ahead and eventual winning touchdown in the fourth quarter to help NAU to a 27-26 win over Sacramento State Saturday night at Hornet Stadium.

October 28, 2011
Football Takes on Hornets in Sacramento Saturday Night
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team heads on the road Saturday to take on Sacramento State at Hornet Stadium with kickoff scheduled at 6:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Lumberjack Radio Network on 105.1 FM The Big Talker and online. Fans can also catch free streaming of the game on Big Sky TV.

October 26, 2011
Quarterback Cary Grossart Returns Home as Starting QB
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Junior quarterback Cary Grossart grew up with a football in his hands but it took four years before he was handed the ball for the Lumberjacks. He is taking advantage of the opportunity this season, becoming one of the most efficient players in the conference and the country.

October 22, 2011
Football Loses Close Homecoming Contest to No. 9 Montana
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Ninth-ranked Montana scored the winning touchdown with 4:26 left to complete the come-from-behind win over Northern Arizona in front of a Homecoming crowd at the Walkup Skydome Saturday.

October 21, 2011
Football Hosts No. 9 Montana for Homecoming
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team returns home for the 85th annual Homecoming contest against Montana. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be heard on the Lumberjack Radio Network on 105.1 FM The Big Talker in Flagstaff and seen online on Big Sky TV.

October 15, 2011
Football Dropped by No. 3 Montana State
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Third-ranked Montana State entered the game with the Big Sky’s top defense but the Bobcat offense led the way to a 41-24 victory on Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.

October 14, 2011
Football Takes on No. 3 Montana State Saturday; Watching Party at Porky’s Pub
BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Northern Arizona football teams takes on its toughest challenge to date in conference play this season when they take the field against No. 3 Montana State Saturday.

October 12, 2011
Football Game Notes: Lumberjacks Lead Nation in Kickoff Returns
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Lumberjacks are leading the country is kickoff returns with a 30.7 average this season and doing it with five different players.

October 8, 2011
Football Dropped by Eastern Washington 36-28
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team lost to defending FCS national champion Eastern Washington 36-28 Saturday at the Walkup Skydome. The Lumberjacks dropped to 2-3, 1-2 in Big Sky play, while the Eagles improved to 2-4, 2-2.

October 6, 2011
Football Hosts Defending National Champion Eastern Washington
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team hosts the defending national champion Eastern Washington Eagles Saturday in a key Big Sky Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. at the Walkup Skydome.

October 6, 2011
Football Notes: Family Four Pack Unveiled and Fan Fest Opens This Week
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – NAU Athletics will be offering the Touchdown Family Four Pack for the Eastern Washington game this weekend. The package includes four reserved seats for $40 with additional tickets available for $10 each. Four Pack seats will be located in sections 202, 204, 206, 224, 226 and 228.

September 27, 2011
Offensive Line a Group Effort in Every Way
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The offensive line is a unique group on any team. Their success is judged by other players' statistics and they often do not get mentioned until something goes wrong. But the position group at NAU has forged a special bond on and off the field that fuels their success.

September 26, 2011
Football Notes: Senior DL Bond Named Co-Defensive Player of the Week
OGDEN, Utah – Senior Isaac Bond, a 6-4, 260-pound senior from Vancouver, Wash., was named the Big Sky Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday with Montana State defensive end Caleb Schreibeis.

September 24, 2011
Football Shuts Down Idaho State Passing Game, Posts 20-3 win on Family Weekend
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Sophomore running back Zach Bauman rushed for a career-high 219 yards and the Lumberjack defense held the nation’s top passing unit to just 171 yards and no touchdowns in a 20-3 victory Saturday in front of a Family Weekend crowd of 9,304 at the Walkup Skydome.

September 23, 2011
Football Welcomes Kramer, Idaho State for Family Weekend
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The coaching family extends across sidelines and playbooks. Heated rivals on game day can share film evaluation and play books in the offseason like old friends. When Idaho State coach Mike Kramer walks in the Walkup Skydome Saturday, he will have a sense of familiarity not only as a veteran Big Sky coach but a colleague who knows many of the staff.

September 21, 2011
Football Notebook: Safety Patton Has Big Game at Portland State
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Junior Taylor Patton had a breakout game last week at Portland State. The San Clemente, Calif., native had a team-high 10 tackles with a fumble recovery and his first career interception.

September 17, 2011
Football Falls Short in Big Sky Opener Despite Comeback
PORTLAND, Ore. – Kicker Matt Myers’ 41-yard field goal was tipped and went wide left with seven seconds left ending the comeback effort of the Northern Arizona football team Saturday night at Jeld Wen Field in the Big Sky opener against Portland State 31-29.

September 16, 2011
Football Travels to Portland State for Conference Opener
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Northern Arizona football team opens Big Sky Conference play Saturday at 5:05 p.m. against Portland State, a team the Lumberjacks hosted and defeated in the final game of the 2010 season. The game can be heard on 105.1 The Big Talker and seen on Comcast SportsNet in Washington and Oregon and on the internet on Big Sky Television.

September 14, 2011
Football Notebook: Perkins Takes it to the House in First Collegiate Game
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Redshirt freshman Jamaal Perkins made a huge impact the first time he touched the ball in a Lumberjack uniform. After Fort Lewis had kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 14-3 in the first quarter Saturday, Perkins fielded a bouncing ball at the one-yard line and quickly made a name for himself.

September 10, 2011
Football Opens Skydome with 58-13 Victory over Fort Lewis
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona scored four times in the opening quarter to cruise to a home opening win over Division II Fort Lewis Saturday at the Walkup Skydome 58-13. It was the first game in the renovated Skydome, which received a $26 million upgrade over the last ninth months.

September 9, 2011
NAU-TV Kicks Off Lumberjack Coverage Saturday in HD
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - NAU-TV will again partner with NAU Athletics and televise almost 30 events from the Northern Arizona University campus in 2011-12. NAU-TV has upgraded its coverage to full high definition this season, while broadcasting all their events online and distributing to Fox Sports Arizona, Fox College Sports and local Flagstaff cable.

September 8, 2011
Football Opens Renovated Skydome Saturday against Fort Lewis
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team opens the Walkup Skydome officially Saturday in the home opener for the 2011 season against Fort Lewis College at 3:05 p.m. The game represents the first athletic event in the newly renovated Skydome that has been closed since last December for the $26 million project. It is first major renovation since the building opened in September 1977. Saturday’s game is sponsored by Barton Malow.

September 7, 2011
Join the Running of the Freshmen
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Be a part of the tradition for the first NAU home football with the Third Annual Running of the Freshmen. Freshmen students can run through the new NAU tunnel in the Walkup Skydome, across the field and into their seats.

September 7, 2011
Former Lumberjack Estrada Makes Jacksonville Jaguars Practice Squad
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Former Lumberjack Matt Estrada was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Saturday, locking up his spot on the team for the first week of the NFL season. The Jaguars play Tennessee in the opening week.

September 6, 2011
Football Notebook: Arizona Game Rewind, Paydirt, First Timers and 9-11
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team got back to work on Monday with a short workout in the Walkup Skydome. The Lumberjacks got back to Flagstaff at 3 a.m. Sunday after the long bus ride up the hill and took the day off.

September 5, 2011
Walkup Skydome Set to Reopen This Week with Fort Lewis Game
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The J.L. Walkup Skydome at Northern Arizona University has undergone its first major renovation since it opened in September 1977. The NAU Skydome is the second largest clear span timber framed dome in the country at 268,000 square feet ,with a seating capacity of 10,000. The Skydome is a multi-purpose facility that is home to the NAU Lumberjack football and track and field teams and is a premier location for conventions and conferences in Flagstaff.