FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.-- Northern Arizona got out to a 17-0 lead and North Dakota never recovered, managing just 192 yards of total offense as the host Lumberjacks defeated the Fighting Hawks, 31-16, in the regular season finale for both teams. UND needed a win to feel secure about a potential playoff spot.
NAU got out to that quick lead, scoring a touchdown on a 9-yard Aramis Aldredge run then tacking on another score on its next drive on a 30-yard strike to Emmanuel Butler for a 14-0 edge early. The Jacks drove the field again, but the UND defense held NAU to a 37-yard field goal and the home team enjoyed a 17-0 edge minutes into the 2nd quarter.
UND finally got the break it needed when
Hayden Blubaugh jumped on a fumble on a punt catch to set the Fighting Hawks up in enemy territory. The offense took advantage as
Nate Ketteringham found Nate Wanzek for a leaping grab from 21 yards out on 3rd down to trim the deficit to 17-7.
After a quick three-and-out, UND pieced together its longest drive of the half, a nine-play, 66-yard possession that concluded in a 35-yard
Brady Leach field goal. That drive started with a 34-yard reception by
Brady Oliveira, North Dakota's longest play in a half that saw the Fighting Hawks tally just 114 yards of total offense. Despite that, North Dakota went into the locker room at halftime trailing by just seven at 17-10.
The teams traded punts to start the second half then North Dakota inched within four on Leach's career-long boot of 43 yards, capping a 10-play drive that took 5:00 and put the score at 17-13 NAU.
The Lumberjacks got a big play on defense when Maurice Davison picked off Ketteringham near midfield and ran behind his blockers 51 yards to paydirt, extending NAU's lead to 24-13 with just under four minutes to go in the third.
Leach added a 28-yarder on the second play of the fourth quarter to make it a 24-16 game. The Hawks defense immediately forced a three-and-out punt. However, the UND offense remained stagnant as it didn't tally a first down in that final quarter. NAU was able to tack on a late touchdown to seal the win and all but end North Dakota's chances at a playoff berth.
John Santiago rushed 12 times for 55 yards in the loss.
Jaxson Turner paced the UND defense with eight total tackles, including one for loss.
The 24-team FCS playoff field will be announced live on ESPNU Sunday at 11:30 am Central.
