Defensively, it took the first half for the Mustangs to shake off the new season jitters, but by then it was too late. With 35 points on the scoreboard in the first half, the 23rd-ranked NCAA Division I Northern Arizona University scored only 13 in the second stanza. Offensively, however, the Mustangs could not find the end zone and were held scoreless in the game.

The Lumberjacks scored on its opening two drives of the game to jump out to a 14-0 advantage early in the contest. Zach Bauman scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 10-yard run to cap a 73-yard opening drive. After a three-and-out by the Mustangs, NAU went 71 yards on four plays, scoring on a 28-yard pass. 

NAU scored three more times in the second quarter on a pair of Bauman runs and a 15-yard pass play. Bauman capped his night with a 66-yard run from the scrimmage line for his fourth touchdown on the night to put NAU up 42-0 with 2:16 left in the third quarter. Junior kicker Matt Myers connected on two field goals in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring. 

Overall, it seemed like the Mustang defense was on the field much of the game, but the time of possession nearly equal (WNMU: 27:09, NAU: 32:48). When WNMU had the ball, the new coaching staff chose to ran it 34 times for 79 yards with Kevin Breaker (Stockton, CA, Lincoln High School, Delta College) leading the charge. Breaker netted 18 carries for 64 yards (3.6 yards per rush).

Quarterback Chris Voller (Albuquerque, NM, Valley High School) also put the ball in the air 27 times. He connected with his targets 13 of those throws for 85 yards. His main bull's eye was MarMarkis Sumpter (Oceanside, CA, Fallbrook High School), who had five receptions for 51 yards. Christopher Miranda (Peoria, AZ, Peoria High School, Phoenix Community College) also caught the ball five times but for slightly less yardage with 25.

The Lumberjacks shared the wealth statistically. They rushed for 211 yards, spreading it amongst five running backs with Bauman being the primary carrier, and threw to eight different receivers for 285 yards. It wasn't all smiles though for NAU. Quarterback Michael Herrick threw two interceptions, one to WNMU's Terron Sumpter, Jr. (Fallbrook, CA, Fallbrook High School) and the other to Kameron Drawhorn (San Diego, CA, Fallbrook High School), in the first half. The Mustangs could not capitalize on the good fortune though.

Joey Bertrand (Bakersfield, CA, Centennial High School, Bakersfield Junior College) and Derrick Perrault (San Diego, CA, Helix High School, Southwestern College) demonstrated why WNMU head coach Adam Clark believes these two will be two standouts in the conference this season. Bertrand led all players in tackles with three solo tackles and seven assist tackles. He also recorded 1.5 tackles for a loss of two yards. Perrault finished the night with eight tackles.

Click here for complete statistics.