CEDAR CITY, Utah – Nov. 18 – SUU football (2-9, 2-6 Big Sky) will be looking to close out the season with a win against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (7-4, 5-2 Big Sky) this Saturday in Flagstaff, Ariz. Both teams are coming off losses as SUU lost to Montana and NAU fell to North Dakota.
The offense for Southern Utah has been a big positive for the Thunderbirds this year. Ammon Olsen has passed for over 300 yards in four of his last five games while completing 62.8 percent of his pass attempts this year. One of Olsen's top targets has been Mike Sharp who had six receptions for 103 yards against Montana. Another deep threat has been Mitch Jessop. Last week Jessop hauled in seven passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Chris Robinson and Justin Brown are the leading receivers for the Thunderbirds this year. Robinson has racked up 53 catches for 818 yards and eight touchdowns. The Thunderbirds are currently fifth in the Nation in passing offense.
The defense for the Thunderbirds has shown flashes of the greatness of last year but has not been able to play that way all four quarters. Look for James Cowser and Robert Torgerson to cause havoc for NAU's offensive line, putting pressure on the passing attack of NAU. Chinedu Ahanonu continues to be the core of the defense. He currently has 143 total tackles, placing him third in the Nation.
Regardless of the records, NAU and SUU have a heated rivalry over the last couple of years. Two years ago SUU stunned NAU with a triple overtime thriller that knocked the Lumberjacks out of the playoffs. Last year NAU came out with a win in Cedar City on a snowy, November day that almost cost the Thunderbirds a spot in the playoffs.
Coach Lamb on playing NAU, “If anything the silver lining, going in to a game like this off of the frustrations that we've had, is that it's a one-game season. There is a trophy on the line, it's our rival, it's a team that we have a lot of respect for. It's a game that both teams will have a lot of excitement and motivation for, and I believe it will be a fun opportunity.”
You can watch the game on watchbigsky.com or the watch Big Sky app. Art Challis will have the call on the radio through Cherry Creek Radio's KCUB 590 AM. Live stats are always available through our website at suutbirds.com.
Big sky Individual Standings:
Ammon Olsen is third in passing average per game at 248.9, sixth in pass efficiency and fourth in total offense.
Chris Robinson is eighth in receiving yards per game.
Tate Lewis is fifth in punting.
Chinedu Ahanonu is second in total tackles and fumbles forced.
James Cowser is second in sacks and first in tackles for loss.
