will just an offense be enough-NAU

[enicmt]

2007 BIG SKY FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Jacks ready to run in Big Sky
By FRITZ NEIGHBOR of the Missoulian



Offense

Jerome Souers would like a do-over. Last Oct. 14 he was intent on throwing the ball all over Montana, and the Lumberjacks ended up with just 93 passing yards in a 24-21 loss to the Griz. “We kind of tried to force-feed the passing game,” Souers, a former Griz defensive coordinator, said. “I thought (UM) did a nice job of defending our outside targets.” The targets - receivers Alex Watson, Kenny Mahone, Skyler Moore and TE Shaun Fitzpatrick - remain, but RB Alex Henderson is the catalyst. His presence will help big, mobile junior Lance Kriesien (6-3, 225) adjust to QB. Up front, the loss of C Kevin Meagher to injuries suffered in a car accident will hurt. But Justin Tyler (6-7, 320) is a beast at one tackle, and NAU has seniors Tim Reader (6-4, 287) and Jon Toailoa (6-1, 290) at the guards.

Defense


Just four starters return, and three of them didn't play a year ago: defensive end Blair Boynton (6-3, 255) and corner K.J. Gerard (6-1, 180) missed the season with injuries suffered in the season opener at Arizona State; senior corner Kris Theus (5-10, 170) was a redshirt. Safety Adam Wright (6-0, 190) returns, but all three linebackers are gone, including Jared Fano, who's on a mission. That leaves sophomore Cody Dowd (6-3, 247) and juniors Joe Mitchell (6-1, 235) and Joe Lyman (5-10, 210) at LB. The flex defense will rely heavily on Boynton. But a key will be Gerard, a preseason (second team) All-American pick. “He has a certain knack for the ball,” Boynton said. “It's a good feeling when he's out on the field.”

Lumberjack data

Forecast: Fourth by the coaches, third by the media

2006: 6-5, 5-3 in the Big Sky Conference

Starters returning: 14

Coach: Jerome Souers, 9th season (49-54)

Quote: “The kid who kind of showed up was our freshman running back (Henderson). He and Lionel Scott will give us a 1-2 punch at that spot. What I'm hopeful of is that we run the ball a little better than we have.”

- NAU coach Jerome Souers

Notable: The Lumberjacks' preseason slate is again wicked, including a Sept. 15 game at two-time Division I FCS champion Appalachian State. That's a week after they play at Pac-10 Arizona.

Stud to watch: WR Alex Watson (5-10, 180) was a first-team all-Big Sky selection last season, hauling in 82 receptions for 15 touchdowns. Both are school records. He gained 1,017 yards receiving, and is a Payton Award candidate.

Pay attention to: RB Alex Henderson (5-10, 195) gained 1,014 yards as a freshman to earn Big Sky Newcomer of the Year honors and a second-team all-Big Sky selection. He ran for 265 yards against Eastern Washington, and he also had a kick return for a TD against Dixie State.

Quotebook: “I think we just need to start the season like we finished it last year. We got on a great roll there at the end. We have a great system - it's just letting that work.”

- DE Blair Boynton

Bottom line

The Lumberjacks will miss graduated QB Jason Murrietta, but a strong O-line, the running of Alex Henderson and the catching of Alex Watson could have them in the playoff hunt.

[Saint3333]

I think a tough schedule will keep a good team, NAU, out of the playoffs. Games at Arizona, ASU, PSU, MSU and a home game against Montana will be too much. NAU would need to go 2-3 in those games AND win all the ones they should (the other 6) which sometimes is difficult as well.

Big Sky gets 2 teams in this year Montana and PSU.

[AZGrizFan]

WHAT? No discussion regarding their "vaunted" pass rush?

[ronbo]

If Souers can put together even a decent defense they will end up #2 in the BSC and possibly get a playoff spot. They go 8-3 or 7-4 with this schedule. The ASU game will say alot about this team. Our game with them is the most worrisome along with the fanale with MSU.

[AZGrizFan]

If Souers can put together even a decent defense they will end up #2 in the BSC and possibly get a playoff spot. They go 8-3 or 7-4 with this schedule. The ASU game will say alot about this team. Our game with them is the most worrisome along with the fanale with MSU.

Well, to go 8-3 would imply they only lose one conference game, since they'll lose to Arizona and ASU. That means going 2-1 against UM, MSU and PSU. That may be a tall order. I'm gonna guess they beat MSU but lose to UM and PSU, go 7-4 and do NOT make the playoffs.