***REFRESH FOR LIVE UPDATES, ALL UPDATES WILL BE ON THE ORIGINAL POST***
-Checking in from Arizona Stadium at 7:58pm the Wildcats have officially ran through the tunnel for the first time this season.
-The stands look about half full but excitement is in the air, the Wildcats looked loose during warmups.... and ready to open their 2017 season.
-The Wildcats will be kicking off to start the game.
-First kick of the season landed deep into the end zone and the Lumberjacks will start on offense.
-That didn't take long NAU launches the ball down field for a 45-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage, remember the inexperience on defense. It may take a drive or two to get the jitters out of the way.
-After moving the ball downfield with ease, NAU settles for a field goal.... BUT WAIT. The snap gets mishandled and is recovered by NAU on their own 47-yard line. (-39 yards on the mishandled snap) and the Wildcats take over on offense with decent field position.
-Both teams a little slow on offense thus far, but on special teams Shun Brown fields a punt out past midfield for a 66-yard touchdown to the house, made a few Lumberjacks miss, the wall was formed and smooth sailing for Brown. Score Update: 7-0 Wildcats with 10:12 remaining in the first quarter.
-Just like that RB #6 Cory Young slices through the Arizona defense for a 58-yard touchdown. Score Update: It's a tie game at 7-7 with 9:26 remaining in the first quarter.
-Arizona continuing to get help from NAU's mistakes, Dawkins breaks through the NAU defense for a 50 yard scamper to the house. LT Layth Friekh flagged for a holding on the play. Touchdown is called back. Arizona offense still struggling as the Wildcats go three & out once again. The punt pins NAU on their 13 to start the drive.
-NAU quarterback Case Cookus has had success against the young Arizona defense starting 7-12 for 113 yards through roughly the first ten minutes of the game. First real mistake comes on a pass tipped and eventually intercepted by Arizona MLB Brandon Rutt. After review the call was overturned as the ball touched the ground on the catch, NAU ball on the 50-yard line.
-NAU running backs experiencing early success on 97 rushing yards on their first 7 attempts.
-Pressure off the edge by Kylan Wilborn, NAU QB Case Cookus will be feeling that tomorrow, ball loose. Fumble recovered by Finton Conolly U of A ball.
-Running back #28 Nick Wilson takes off from the NAU 46, give him six. Score Update: Arizona 14 NAU 7 with 3:08 remaining in the first quarter.
**Side Note: NAU QB Case Cookus is a former recipient of the 2015 Jerry Rice Award (given to the most outstanding freshman player in all of the FCS) Thus far he's done a good job running the offense against a superior but inexperienced Wildcat defense.
-As the Cookus praise rains down, he makes a mistake throwing the ball into double coverage at the front left pylon of the end zone, Flannigan-Fowles in great position intercepts the ball putting the Wildcats on their own 2 yard line to start the drive. BIG break for the Wildcats.
-DE #86 Justin Belknap wraps up Cookus in the backfield for an 11 yard loss. NAU punts the ball Arizona will take over on their own 47 yard line after a short 22-yard punt by NAU.
-Momentum in the Wildcats favor after a 2 play 53-yard drive. Slot receiver #9 Tony Ellison loses a defender in the flat after a slip and runs past the rest of the NAU defense for a 43-yard catch and run. Score Update: 21-7 U of A.
-A pass interference on CB Sammy Morrison keeps the NAU drive alive. NAU RB #6 Cory Young cashes in after a 7-yard run off the left tackle to pay dirt, his second TD of the night. Lumberjacks are having a lot of success running off the tackles. Score Update: 21-14 Wildcats lead with 6:48 remaining in the first half.
-Wildcat receiver #2 Tyrell Johnson takes a reverse 55-yards to the promise land, great acceleration in the backfield and he hit the next gear in open field out running NAU's defense. Score Update 28-14 Arizona leads with 3:49 left in the half.
-Defense earning their education tonight, NAU has a total of 17:41 seconds of possession to the Wildcat's 8:30 at this point in the first half, NAU tacking on more TOP as I type. Arizona still up two scores, big play after big play in this one. Fun game to watch.
-Flannigan-Fowles continuing to impress with his second INT of the night. The Tucson native plucks another ball away from NAU, Cookus throws right into double coverage FF makes him pay.
-Another Branson Dawkins sighting, running through the NAU defense for a 50-yard touchdown, just kidding it's the story of his game tonight. A holding penalty from #78 Jacob Alsadek negates another big rushing touchdown by #13.
-Nice chunk gain by JJ Taylor as he runs 15 yards over a couple of Lumberjacks, capped off by a 10-yard rush to pay dirt by Brandon Dawkins. Yes.... Brandon Dawkins carries the ball across the goal line, and this one counts. Score Update: 34-14 Wildcats with 0:21 left in the first half.
-Kicking game looking strong Havrisik is noticeably putting the ball in the end zone on the majority of his kick offs. Strong point for the Wildcats so far.
-It's halftime and the Wildcats head into the tunnel up 34-14 over the Lumberjacks.
Notable stats at the half:
U of A -
QB #13 Brandon Dawkins 6 completions - 12 attempts - 74 yards 1 TD. 5 rushes - 22 yards - 1 TD.
RB #28 Nick Wilson 5 carries - 57 yards - 1 TD.
RB # 21 JJ Taylor 7 carries - 33 yards - 0 TD.
WR #9 Tony Ellison 4 catches - 64 yards - 1 TD.
BANDIT #6 Flannigan-Fowles 7 tackles - 2 INT.
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-That was quick. Brandon Dawkins bounces the ball to the outside and runs through the pylons for a 66-yard scamper. His second official rushing touchdown of the night (4th minus the negated touchdowns) Score Update: 41-14 Wildcats.
-Wildcat defense settling in, confidence seems to be building on both sides of the ball. Offense moving with ease, Arizona is running away with this one.
-Can't submit a post without a score it seems, big play after big play. Arizona RB #34 Zach Green looked like a man amongst boys on that drive. Ran for a hard 9 yards, follows it up with a 37-yard run to the house. With that touchdown, the Wildcats have scored five touchdown's on the ground. Sticking true to Matt's scouting report the Cats have been getting it done on the ground. Score Update: 48-14 Wildcats.
-Sammy Morrison beat over the top for a 50 yard pass to the Arizona 8-yard line. NAU within striking distance. Again, NAU shooting themselves in foot. Delay of Game pushes them back 5 yards to the Arizona 13.
-Arizona CB #17 Jace Whittaker and SPUR #31 Tristan Cooper lower the boom stuffing Cookus at the goal line on 4th down. Turnover on downs, Wildcat ball on their own 4.
-2nd string QB Khalil Tate with a big run up the right side of the field, nice athleticism from the back up.
-Khalil Tate with a great ball to Tyrell Johnson for a 39 yard touchdown... wait a minute. History continuing to repeat itself, Arizona flagged with an ineligible receiver downfield. No touchdown, third touchdown taken away on the night due to a flag.
-Starters seem to be done for the day, good opportunity for the inexperience on the defensive side of the ball to get some real time reps and prepare for the future. NAU ball to open the 4th quarter on the U of A 28-yard line.
-NAU heading back to playbook, once again a run off the left tackle for a big gain. NAU RB #22 Joe Logan heads into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown. Score Update 48-21 Wildcats lead.
-Tyrell Johnson once again flashing his speed, nice 58-yard return. Had one man to beat on the return but Lumberjack #48 Brian Berry kills the highlight taking a great angle catching him down field.
-Khalil Tate shaken up on the play exits the field, FR Rhett Rodriguez enters the game and hands the ball off to RB #38 Brandon Leon for a 10-yard touchdown. Score Update: 55-21.
-Khalil Tate seen walking to the tunnel with 9:33 remaining in the fourth, was walking under his own power. Seemed to be an upper body injury.
-43,620 the announced attendance tonight at Arizona Stadium...
-Tilford with a huge carry through the heart of the NAU defense, capped off by a Rhett Rodriguez touchdown. Tilford surprisingly took a shot near the goal line, I'm sure he'll draw high praise for his efforts on that drive. Score Update 62-24 cats.
-Final Score: 62-24 Wildcats.
-Checking in from Arizona Stadium at 7:58pm the Wildcats have officially ran through the tunnel for the first time this season.
-The stands look about half full but excitement is in the air, the Wildcats looked loose during warmups.... and ready to open their 2017 season.
-The Wildcats will be kicking off to start the game.
-First kick of the season landed deep into the end zone and the Lumberjacks will start on offense.
-That didn't take long NAU launches the ball down field for a 45-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage, remember the inexperience on defense. It may take a drive or two to get the jitters out of the way.
-After moving the ball downfield with ease, NAU settles for a field goal.... BUT WAIT. The snap gets mishandled and is recovered by NAU on their own 47-yard line. (-39 yards on the mishandled snap) and the Wildcats take over on offense with decent field position.
-Both teams a little slow on offense thus far, but on special teams Shun Brown fields a punt out past midfield for a 66-yard touchdown to the house, made a few Lumberjacks miss, the wall was formed and smooth sailing for Brown. Score Update: 7-0 Wildcats with 10:12 remaining in the first quarter.
-Just like that RB #6 Cory Young slices through the Arizona defense for a 58-yard touchdown. Score Update: It's a tie game at 7-7 with 9:26 remaining in the first quarter.
-Arizona continuing to get help from NAU's mistakes, Dawkins breaks through the NAU defense for a 50 yard scamper to the house. LT Layth Friekh flagged for a holding on the play. Touchdown is called back. Arizona offense still struggling as the Wildcats go three & out once again. The punt pins NAU on their 13 to start the drive.
-NAU quarterback Case Cookus has had success against the young Arizona defense starting 7-12 for 113 yards through roughly the first ten minutes of the game. First real mistake comes on a pass tipped and eventually intercepted by Arizona MLB Brandon Rutt. After review the call was overturned as the ball touched the ground on the catch, NAU ball on the 50-yard line.
-NAU running backs experiencing early success on 97 rushing yards on their first 7 attempts.
-Pressure off the edge by Kylan Wilborn, NAU QB Case Cookus will be feeling that tomorrow, ball loose. Fumble recovered by Finton Conolly U of A ball.
-Running back #28 Nick Wilson takes off from the NAU 46, give him six. Score Update: Arizona 14 NAU 7 with 3:08 remaining in the first quarter.
**Side Note: NAU QB Case Cookus is a former recipient of the 2015 Jerry Rice Award (given to the most outstanding freshman player in all of the FCS) Thus far he's done a good job running the offense against a superior but inexperienced Wildcat defense.
-As the Cookus praise rains down, he makes a mistake throwing the ball into double coverage at the front left pylon of the end zone, Flannigan-Fowles in great position intercepts the ball putting the Wildcats on their own 2 yard line to start the drive. BIG break for the Wildcats.
-DE #86 Justin Belknap wraps up Cookus in the backfield for an 11 yard loss. NAU punts the ball Arizona will take over on their own 47 yard line after a short 22-yard punt by NAU.
-Momentum in the Wildcats favor after a 2 play 53-yard drive. Slot receiver #9 Tony Ellison loses a defender in the flat after a slip and runs past the rest of the NAU defense for a 43-yard catch and run. Score Update: 21-7 U of A.
-A pass interference on CB Sammy Morrison keeps the NAU drive alive. NAU RB #6 Cory Young cashes in after a 7-yard run off the left tackle to pay dirt, his second TD of the night. Lumberjacks are having a lot of success running off the tackles. Score Update: 21-14 Wildcats lead with 6:48 remaining in the first half.
-Wildcat receiver #2 Tyrell Johnson takes a reverse 55-yards to the promise land, great acceleration in the backfield and he hit the next gear in open field out running NAU's defense. Score Update 28-14 Arizona leads with 3:49 left in the half.
-Defense earning their education tonight, NAU has a total of 17:41 seconds of possession to the Wildcat's 8:30 at this point in the first half, NAU tacking on more TOP as I type. Arizona still up two scores, big play after big play in this one. Fun game to watch.
-Flannigan-Fowles continuing to impress with his second INT of the night. The Tucson native plucks another ball away from NAU, Cookus throws right into double coverage FF makes him pay.
-Another Branson Dawkins sighting, running through the NAU defense for a 50-yard touchdown, just kidding it's the story of his game tonight. A holding penalty from #78 Jacob Alsadek negates another big rushing touchdown by #13.
-Nice chunk gain by JJ Taylor as he runs 15 yards over a couple of Lumberjacks, capped off by a 10-yard rush to pay dirt by Brandon Dawkins. Yes.... Brandon Dawkins carries the ball across the goal line, and this one counts. Score Update: 34-14 Wildcats with 0:21 left in the first half.
-Kicking game looking strong Havrisik is noticeably putting the ball in the end zone on the majority of his kick offs. Strong point for the Wildcats so far.
-It's halftime and the Wildcats head into the tunnel up 34-14 over the Lumberjacks.
Notable stats at the half:
U of A -
QB #13 Brandon Dawkins 6 completions - 12 attempts - 74 yards 1 TD. 5 rushes - 22 yards - 1 TD.
RB #28 Nick Wilson 5 carries - 57 yards - 1 TD.
RB # 21 JJ Taylor 7 carries - 33 yards - 0 TD.
WR #9 Tony Ellison 4 catches - 64 yards - 1 TD.
BANDIT #6 Flannigan-Fowles 7 tackles - 2 INT.
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-That was quick. Brandon Dawkins bounces the ball to the outside and runs through the pylons for a 66-yard scamper. His second official rushing touchdown of the night (4th minus the negated touchdowns) Score Update: 41-14 Wildcats.
-Wildcat defense settling in, confidence seems to be building on both sides of the ball. Offense moving with ease, Arizona is running away with this one.
-Can't submit a post without a score it seems, big play after big play. Arizona RB #34 Zach Green looked like a man amongst boys on that drive. Ran for a hard 9 yards, follows it up with a 37-yard run to the house. With that touchdown, the Wildcats have scored five touchdown's on the ground. Sticking true to Matt's scouting report the Cats have been getting it done on the ground. Score Update: 48-14 Wildcats.
-Sammy Morrison beat over the top for a 50 yard pass to the Arizona 8-yard line. NAU within striking distance. Again, NAU shooting themselves in foot. Delay of Game pushes them back 5 yards to the Arizona 13.
-Arizona CB #17 Jace Whittaker and SPUR #31 Tristan Cooper lower the boom stuffing Cookus at the goal line on 4th down. Turnover on downs, Wildcat ball on their own 4.
-2nd string QB Khalil Tate with a big run up the right side of the field, nice athleticism from the back up.
-Khalil Tate with a great ball to Tyrell Johnson for a 39 yard touchdown... wait a minute. History continuing to repeat itself, Arizona flagged with an ineligible receiver downfield. No touchdown, third touchdown taken away on the night due to a flag.
-Starters seem to be done for the day, good opportunity for the inexperience on the defensive side of the ball to get some real time reps and prepare for the future. NAU ball to open the 4th quarter on the U of A 28-yard line.
-NAU heading back to playbook, once again a run off the left tackle for a big gain. NAU RB #22 Joe Logan heads into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown. Score Update 48-21 Wildcats lead.
-Tyrell Johnson once again flashing his speed, nice 58-yard return. Had one man to beat on the return but Lumberjack #48 Brian Berry kills the highlight taking a great angle catching him down field.
-Khalil Tate shaken up on the play exits the field, FR Rhett Rodriguez enters the game and hands the ball off to RB #38 Brandon Leon for a 10-yard touchdown. Score Update: 55-21.
-Khalil Tate seen walking to the tunnel with 9:33 remaining in the fourth, was walking under his own power. Seemed to be an upper body injury.
-43,620 the announced attendance tonight at Arizona Stadium...
-Tilford with a huge carry through the heart of the NAU defense, capped off by a Rhett Rodriguez touchdown. Tilford surprisingly took a shot near the goal line, I'm sure he'll draw high praise for his efforts on that drive. Score Update 62-24 cats.
-Final Score: 62-24 Wildcats.
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