NAU Spring Football Updates

[dbackjon]

The Northern Arizona football team opened practice on Thursday in preparation for the 2009 season.
“It was a good first day,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “We got a lot of teaching done. We have a few guys that are changing positions. We are real pleased.”

The Lumberjacks return 14 starters among 44 letterwinners.

“Offensively we are further along than we were a year ago,” said Souers. “Defensively I think we are going to pick up where we left off. With some of the distractions we have had, the kids have handled it very well.”

Souers enters the spring with a staff down two members with the departures of Defensive Coordinator Corey Batoon and cornerbacks coach Carl Franks. Fortunately Souers knows a little about those position groups.

Entering his 12th season at NAU, Souers was hired from Montana where he made his name as a secondary coach and coordinator.

http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2917

[dbackjon]

2009 NORTHERN ARIZONA FOOTBALL ROSTER BREAKDOWN

Starters Returning (14)
Offense (7): LG Jeff Hines, RG Kris Poindexter, RT Ryan Holstrom, TE Shaun Fitzpatrick, WR ED Berry, WR Conrad Meadows.
Defense (7): DE Kyle Rath, DE Michael Battisti, LB Stevon Thomas, LB Cody Dowd, LB Zac McNally, S Matt Estrada, CB Josh Luck.
Specialists (0): None

Starters Lost (9)
Offense (4): LT Trevor Heekin, C Kevin Meagher, WR Skyler Moore, QB Lance Kriesien.
Defense (4): DT Stephen Nwogbe, S Cyrus Igono, S Adam Wright, CB K.J. Gerard.
Specialists (1): K/P Robbie Dehaze.

Return From Season Ending Injury (1): TE Shaun Fitzpatrick.

[dbackjon]

Spring Practice?: Football Practice Report #2
(04/03/2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Playing in Montana in the month of November always has a chance for snow in Big Sky Conference play and spring football is a great opportunity to practice all kinds of situations for the upcoming season. And the NAU football practice on Friday was the perfect opportunity to get some reps in the snow.
“We’ve seen this before but I am not sure we have ever practiced in it,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers of the spring snow showers. “The guys had a great attitude and I think we are lot more mentally tougher. It is cold out here and this is nasty weather. They guys worked right through it. I am really proud of that today.”

The NAU football team completed a short workout Friday that was highlighted by high winds and snow that came down throughout the practice conducted in shorts.
http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2918

[dbackjon]

Spring Football Practice Report #3

Junior quarterback Michael Herrick is the first to admit he is more comfortable this season after completing a year that saw him compete with Lance Kriesien and Corey Slater for the job through out the season.
“I feel good,” said Herrick. “I feel a little bit different than last spring. I am not as nervous and we are doing great. The receivers are catching balls and the linemen are blocking. We are all getting our assignments down. It is a lot of fun to be back.”

Herrick saw action in 10 games last season, completing almost 65 percent of his passes going 97-for-150 with three touchdowns. He is one of four quarterbacks on the roster, joining junior college transfer Ryan Nelson and redshirt freshmen Troy Graham and Cary Grossart.

Head coach Jerome Souers agrees Herrick showcases a new confidence level.

“The confidence you can just sense and you can see it on the field,” said Souers. “He is such a talented thrower. I think he has a stronger understanding of the receiver core and who does what.”

http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2919

[dbackjon]

Spring Football Practice Report #4
(04/09/2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team had its first practice in full pads on Tuesday with mixed results.
“It looked like the first day of pads,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “The older guys who have been around the block looked a lot better. The excitement of getting in and flying around a bit got some of us playing out of our heads.”

Souers said the goal for the week is to continue to develop on the scheme insertion via live work.

“We had a level of insertion with the type of schemes we want to get to,” said Souers. “Now it is executing them in a team setting with some situations. We continue to advance that development by putting them in challenging settings.”

The Lumberjacks are scheduled to have the first scrimmage of the spring on Saturday.

"We are going to try and have some live exchange later in the week,” said Souers. “We will see what we are capable of handling on Saturday.

[dbackjon]

Fearing the predicted weather for Saturday that hampered the spring plan last week, the Northern Arizona football team moved its live practice up a day and finished up the day with a 28-play scrimmage on the NAU Practice Fields.
“The first day of contact is fun and exciting for the players,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “I saw some very good stuff and I saw some things we really need to work on. I am excited for this group.”

Junior-to-be Michael Herrick was efficient, completing 5-of-7 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Alex Henderson had six carries for 48 yards, while receiver Conrad Meadows had four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.

“I thought the offensive line, the first group looked really good,” said Souers. “Alex ran well. Michael was crisp and Conrad made a couple nice catches. For the offense to look this good this early is a good sign.”

Four players had sacks for the defense, including Jarrett Bilbrey, Anthony Llanos, Isaac Bond and Blayne Anderson. The offense was set back by three penalties.

Hit of the Day: Sophomore Nick Ragland-Johnsen had a big hit over the middle on Austin Shanks on a crossing pattern that ended up incomplete.

[GOKATS]

Rumors are going around that former Bobcat HC Mike Kramer will be hired at NAU as the DC, have you heard any talk down there?

[dbackjon]

Rumors are going around that former Bobcat HC Mike Kramer will be hired at NAU as the DC, have you heard any talk down there?

Currently, the DC position is open, but the state-wide University system is under a hiring freeze (affects every state university, every department).

Kramer was in Flagstaff last week doing some "consulting work" with the coaching staff. That is as far as I have been able to dig (got that info from the SID).

[GOKATS]

Rumors are going around that former Bobcat HC Mike Kramer will be hired at NAU as the DC, have you heard any talk down there?

Currently, the DC position is open, but the state-wide University system is under a hiring freeze (affects every state university, every department).

Kramer was in Flagstaff last week doing some "consulting work" with the coaching staff. That is as far as I have been able to dig (got that info from the SID).

Same info we're getting. Seems like AZ might be similar to MT as far as 'fiscal years' that run July 1- June 30. All assistants at MT universities are on an annual contract that expires June 30 and if the HC is retained are renewed or new replacements named on/after July 1 (In MT HC's are notified in Dec. or Jan. if their contract will not be renewed). Kramer is a helluva coach and would be a good addition to any FB staff, I hope it works out for him and NAU.

[dbackjon]

Currently, the DC position is open, but the state-wide University system is under a hiring freeze (affects every state university, every department).

Kramer was in Flagstaff last week doing some "consulting work" with the coaching staff. That is as far as I have been able to dig (got that info from the SID).

Same info we're getting. Seems like AZ might be similar to MT as far as 'fiscal years' that run July 1- June 30. All assistants at MT universities are on an annual contract that expires June 30 and if the HC is retained are renewed or new replacements named on/after July 1 (In MT HC's are notified in Dec. or Jan. if their contract will not be renewed). Kramer is a helluva coach and would be a good addition to any FB staff, I hope it works out for him and NAU.

I hope so too - that would be a great addition.

Plus, he's beaten Montana four times, something Souer hasn't done yet once.

[dbackjon]

Practice Report #6: Football Starts Week 3
(04/13/2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Football spring practice continues Tuesday with the third week of drills all pointed to the continued development of the team with the Blue and Gold game set for April 25 to showcase the Lumberjacks heading into the 2009 season.
Head Coach Jerome Souers has been pleased with the first two weeks of practice.

“I think in the first seven days we have shown a lot of improvement,” said Souers. “I am excited about our quarterback play. Our receivers have been dinged up but when they are healthy they look really good. We have some new faces we are trying to blend in particularly on defense. We have had some real positive growth.”

Souers pointed out the play of Michael Battisti at the defensive end position and the play of safeties Matt Estrada and Brian Hunter.

Linebacker U: With four returning seniors among an experienced linebacking group, Souers is excited about their potential this season.

“I think everybody that had their senior year when looked back you could say that was a great group of linebackers,” said Souers. “I think these guys made quite a mark last year and if they reach the goals they have set they will be remembered as among the best ever.”

Returning starters Stevon Thomas, Cody Dowd and Zac McNally are all entering their senior campaigns along with senior Kainoa Pe’a, juniors To’o Samuelu and Scott McKeever. In all, seven of the eight players on the final two-deep for the final game in 2008 return, bringing a combined 215 tackles last season led by Llanos with 54.

Henderson Back in Form: Senior running back Alex Henderson showed he is back in from after an injury that sidelined him last season. He rushed for six carries for 48 yards in the limited scrimmage on Friday

“Spring ball is going real well so far,” said Henderson. “I can see the potential growing out us right now. I feel 100 percent. I have no memory of what happened last year. I am ready to get back on track.”

Souers on Radio: Coach Souers will appear on the morning show on The Canyon (105.1) Tuesday, April 14 to promote the Spring Game and NAU Football with host Rob Rose.
http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2937

[dbackjon]

Leading the way

When running backs coach Chris Taylor arrived at NAU earlier this year, one of the first things he did was pop in videotape of all the running backs in the Lumberjacks program.

After watching for a couple of minutes, Taylor quickly realized that he had come pretty close to hitting the jackpot. The first running back he saw on the tape was senior to-be Alex Henderson. Henderson, of course, is the only running back in NAU history to rush for more than 1,000 yards as a freshman. In his time as a Jack, he's rushed for more than 2,000 career yards and is a two-time All Big Sky Conference selection.

"I'm very lucky to come in and inherit a guy like Alex," Taylor said. "I got a chance to watch him on tape a little bit when I got here and I could tell that he's a very talented back. So far on the field though, he's even exceeded my expectations.

"Right now, he's the guy at running back and he knows that. He's embracing that and he's in better shape than he ever has been."

http://www.azdailysun.com/articles/2009 ... 194764.txt

[dbackjon]

Practice Report #7: Football Scrimmages, Prepares for Spring Game
(04/18/2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona football team got the opportunity to have over 50 minutes of live action on Saturday one week prior to the scheduled spring game on Saturday April 25.
“We had a lot of new guys that were interjected into the lineup today,” said Souers who had 13 players held out of contact Saturday. “We had a lot of errors than we would normally have but the positive side is got to have guys who got to get out and get a feel for the game in a live situation and see the things they need to work on.”

The defense showed solid play and Souers credited their play on Saturday. Running back Alex Henderson led the first team group to a score to the end the practice. Wideout Daiveun Chapman made a circus grab in the end zone for a touchdown to highlight the final drive.

“It was a good day,” said Souers. “We got a lot done and the tape is going to tell us a lot especially about our backup guys.”

The Lumberjacks head into the final week of drills with practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday before the scrimmage on Saturday.

“We need to get healthier so we can do more team-type and situation type work in preparation for Saturday,” said Souers.

http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2952

[dbackjon]

Annual Football Spring Game Set for Saturday, April 25
(04/20/2009) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Northern Arizona University football team will hold its annual Spring Blue & Gold Game on Saturday, April 25 on the practice fields across the street from the Walkup Skydome. The day will kick off with a Kid Zone starting at 11:30 a.m. and the game itself will begin no later than 12:30 p.m.
The Kid Zone will be located on the upper practice field. Also starting at 11:30 will be a Jack Pack car wash in the upper parking lot of the Skydome.

At noon, veteran broadcaster and "Voice of the Lumberjacks," Mitch Strohman, will introduce head coach Jerome Souers who will speak to the crowd. After warming up, the team will play it's Blue vs. Gold game.

Concessions will be provided by Campus Dining on the upper practice field, and the NAU Bookstore trailer will also be in the upper practice field selling merchandise.
http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2956

[dbackjon]

Defense Dominates Windy Spring Game; Henderson Scores Twice

Senior linebacker Anthony Llanos had three quarterback sacks and eight tackles to lead a strong defensive effort in the annual Blue & Gold Spring game held on the NAU practice fields Saturday on a windy day.
“Offensively we were a little slow starting,” said Head Coach Jerome Souers. “There were not a lot of easy throws or anything to get going with. The first half of the scrimmage the defense looked better. It wasn’t even close. In the second half the offense warmed up and put together a couple of runs and throws. All is all, our defense like most teams in the country is ahead of our offense at this time.

Quarterback Michael Herrick finished 10-for-14 for 78 yards and a 30-yard touchdown strike to running back Alex Henderson, who added nine carries for 44 yards with a rushing touchdown.

Daiveun Chapman led all receivers with four catches for 20 yards on the day.

In addition to Llanos, Zac McNally had seven tackles and Reid Worthington added six.

“Everyone is playing as a team and supporting each other,” said Llanos.

NAU opens the 2009 season on Sept. 12 at Arizona.

http://nau.newtier.com/index.php?module ... 8&sid=2969

[jackfan17]

Not much said about the kicking game....who looks to start for ko's and fg's? Punts?

[dbackjon]

Welcome to another LUMBERJACK!!!

Haven't really heard anything on the kicking game - good question, since All-American DeHaze is gone to the NFL.