NAU-A-Palooza

[CrazyCat]

NAU holds a proud tradition spanning decades of Big Sky excitement. They have gone to the playoffs 8 times in their history, winning 2.

Paul

You must be including Div.II playoffs because '96,'99,'01,'03, are the years NAU made the FCS(I-AA) playoffs.

[Lumberjacks76]

Yeah, that also includes Div. II wins.

Paul

[I Bleed Purple]

Honestly, if Paul wants to post musings about NAU, many of which can be deemed nonsensical, I appreciate the concentration to one thread.

Well, you need to thank the mods for that one. He used to open new topics all the time, until a mod combined everything into this thread. At least it's easier to ignore when I want to.

[Lumberjacks76]

Weber State will not be dropping 45 on Montana this year. No way no how.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU's defense will be better this year. They will clamp down on opponents and shut them down in the red zone. Holding them to field goals.

Paul

[laxVik]

I like candy.

[Lumberjacks76]

I like candy too. But NAU's offense will also be improved. Our previous QB was substandard. Herrick is the real deal.

Paul

[IaaScribe]

Herrick will cure cancer and feline AIDS in one fell swoop.

[CrazyCat]

http://img.infibeam.com/img/0486d7ee/702/4/9780440504702.jpg

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU has a philosophy of "bend but don't brake" on defense. And it works well for them.

Paul

[laxVik]

NAU has a philosophy of "bend but don't brake" on defense. And it works well for them.

PaulIf you consider 6-5 average over 10 years as "working well"*





*and yes we suck, too.

[CrazyCat]

NAU has a philosophy of "bend but don't brake" on defense. And it works well for them.

Paul


Except for in the Red-Zone were NAU allowed their opponents to score 90.6% of the time.xrolleyesx

[Lumberjacks76]

No, not like that. More like 65%.

Paul

[I Bleed Purple]

No, not like that. More like 65%.

Paul

9. Northern Arizona.... 11 29-32 90.6 21 10/11 8-8 0/ 2/ 0/ 1

http://www.bigskyconf.com/sports/football/2008/stats/confldrs.htm

Looks like 90.6 percent to me. At least make decent arguments. Allowing the fewest red zone opportunities would be a start.

[Lumberjacks76]

Hmm, I think those numbers are inaccurate. If you meant, scoring a field goal in the red zone 90.6 % of the time, then I'd believe it.

Paul

[CrazyCat]

Hmm, I think those numbers are inaccurate. If you meant, scoring a field goal in the red zone 90.6 % of the time, then I'd believe it.

Paul


NAU opponents scored 29 out of 32 times in the red zone. 21 TD's and 8 FGs. Or maybe the Big Sky and NCAA stats are wrong.xrolleyesx

[I Bleed Purple]

Hmm, I think those numbers are inaccurate. If you meant, scoring a field goal in the red zone 90.6 % of the time, then I'd believe it.

Paul

And if you mean TD's in red zone defense, than 65% is in the bottom third of the Big Sky, a conference not known for defense. It was around the same percentage as Weber last year.

[IaaScribe]

Herrick rescues baby kittens out of trees, and he volunteers for Peace Corps duty in Niger during his free time.

[ncbears]

Herrick rescues baby kittens out of trees, and he volunteers for Peace Corps duty in Niger during his free time.

No **** huh? I've never heard of this kid.

[Lumberjacks76]

He's an Ole Miss transfer.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

The West is different than the East. There just aren't that many I-AA teams in the West.

Yup. I agree.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

9. Northern Arizona.... 11 29-32 90.6 21 10/11 8-8 0/ 2/ 0/ 1

http://www.bigskyconf.com/sports/football/2008/stats/confldrs.htm

Looks like 90.6 percent to me. At least make decent arguments. Allowing the fewest red zone opportunities would be a start.

My bad. I thought more like 65%.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

They just extended Jerome Sauers contract through the 2010 season. This was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. No pay raise was listed.

Paul

[already123]

I like candy too. But NAU's offense will also be improved. Our previous QB was substandard. Herrick is the real deal.

Paul


The QB wasnt the problem last year...

Looking at the numbers, NAU's offense was statistically better the last two years than 2006 in Muriettas heralded senior year.

[already123]

They just extended Jerome Sauers contract through the 2010 season. This was approved by the Arizona Board of Regents. No pay raise was listed.

Paul

NAU: Where mediocrity is celebrated!

xlolx

I love my Lumberjacks, but it seems that Jerome and company have scheduled themselves into another 6-5 season.

Hopefully our key guys will step up and fill the larger roles needed to make this years team a contender and ultimately playoff-bound

[I Bleed Purple]

NAU: Where mediocrity is celebrated!

xlolx

I love my Lumberjacks, but it seems that Jerome and company have scheduled themselves into another 6-5 season.

Hopefully our key guys will step up and fill the larger roles needed to make this years team a contender and ultimately playoff-bound

Weber really is similar to that. We just were able to capitalize on an opportunity for a really good coach at a relatively cheap price.

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU needed to schedule two FBS opponents due to the budget crisis. So I'd rather they earn enoufh money to get by than to win 8 games.

Paul

[I Bleed Purple]

NAU needed to schedule two FBS opponents due to the budget crisis. So I'd rather they earn enoufh money to get by than to win 8 games.

Paul

Weber did that last year and won 8 games. Not a valid excuse.

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU started out strong but then faded against better competition. This year, I think they'll start out 6-2 before winning a 7th game somewhere later.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU will surprise this year with 8 wins. They will reach the playoffs.

Paul

[laxVik]

**crickets**

[Lumberjacks76]

Well, NAU is supported in Flagstaff and in Arizona. I don't know how well their fan base is outside of the state.

Paul

[laxVik]

NAU's heralded defense will keep the opposing teams from scoring more than 7 points in the first quarter.

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU will outscore their opposition this year 363-288.

Paul

[laxVik]

NAU will attempt at least one drop kick this year.

[dystopiamembrane]

In a system where 8 wins usually gets you a playoff bid, scheduling two I-A's in one season puts you behind the 8 ball before your team even takes the field.
Why are these exhibition games factors in the committee's play-off decision?

[IaaScribe]

Because eight is generally the magic number for an at-large from a major conference in a typical 11-game season. And when you schedule two FBS schools, your chances of getting to eight are greatly reduced. NAU would basically have to run the table against everyone else on its schedule other than Montana, and that isn't happening.

[Lumberjacks76]

Well, they do get much needed cash.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

When the Jacks score a certain number of points, everyone receives a free Chalupa from Taco Bell.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU will defeat 8 opponents this season and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Paul

[laxVik]

Your daily blog seems to fall on deaf ears.

[Lumberjacks76]

I don't think NAU has many fans outside of Flagstaff, unfortunately.

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

Yup. Only fans in Phoenix and Flagstaff seem to care. :(

Paul

[laxVik]

Even NAU fans here don't seem to care as you're not posting anything relevant other than your daily tidings. Capiche?

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU has a rich atmosphere for developing quality student-athletes. Especially in football. Jerome Sauers has NAU on an upward trajectory. 6-5 no longer! We're winning 8 games this year!

Paul

[IaaScribe]

Who's Jerome Sauers?

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU's head coach.

Paul

[IaaScribe]

Jerome Souers is NAU's head coach. I have no idea who Jerome Sauers is.

[Lumberjacks76]

Thanks. I always have trouble spelling names.

Paul

[WyomingGrizFan]

Sigh. I sure do miss those hottie pics.

[Lumberjacks76]

?

Paul

[Lumberjacks76]

NAU will score 20 points vs. the Wildcats.

Paul

[laxVik]

Somebody shoot this thread. Please!

[grizband]

NAU will score 20 points vs. the Wildcats.

Paul
Which will not be enough to win the game... xrotatehx

[I Bleed Purple]

Which will not be enough to win the game... xrotatehx

Or keep the game from being a blowout.

[Lumberjacks76]

UofA will not score 45 points against NAU's vaunted defense. We will hold them down.

Paul