FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona released its 2015 football schedule for head coach Jerome Souers' 18th season with the Lumberjacks.
"There are a lot of reasons to be excited for the opportunities that this schedule presents," Souers said. "We always want to schedule challenging opponents in our non-conference and we feel we've done that again this year."
The Lumberjacks will open the season once again in the state of California, this time at the University of San Diego on Sept. 5. The Torero's are coming off an FCS Playoff appearance, as the two teams will meet for the first time since 1960.
"We were really pleased to have the opportunity to start the year against a playoff caliber opponent in San Diego and once again allow our large alumni base in southern California to come out and support the team," Souers said.
NAU's first home game will be against New Mexico Highlands on Sept. 12. The Lumberjacks defeated the Cowboys 62-23 in last year's home opener.
From there, the Lumberjacks will travel down I-17 to face the University of Arizona on Sept. 19. The Wildcats will be NAU's final non-conference opponent during the 2015 season.
"It's always a lot of fun for our kids to play an in-state opponent like the University of Arizona and we know what type of unique challenge they represent," Souers said.
Big Sky play will begin on Sept. 26 when NAU travels to Missoula to face the University of Montana. The Lumberjacks return home the following week to host Montana State on Oct. 3. NAU did not play either team last season.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the Big Sky is one of the toughest conferences at the FCS level and top to bottom we know every single game will be a fight from start to finish," Souers said. "It didn't seem right last year that we didn't play either of the Montana schools, so our kids are excited to start conference play on the road at Montana; and we're equally thrilled to have Montana State traveling out here to Flagstaff."
NAU will play at UC Davis on Oct. 10. Other road games will be at defending Big Sky Champion Eastern Washington on Nov. 7 and at Southern Utah on Nov. 21 for the HintonBurdick Grand Canyon Trophy.
"I think it's always a fantastic test of our kids' mental toughness when we have November away games at Eastern Washington and Southern Utah," Souers said. "This schedule will challenge us in every possible facet and we wouldn't have it any other way."
NAU's bye week will be the weekend of Oct.17. NAU will then host Weber State on Oct. 24 and Northern Colorado on Oct. 31. The Lumberjacks' final home game will be on Nov. 14 versus Sacrament State. NAU did not play the Hornets last season.
Due to there being more Big Sky opponents than games, NAU will not play Cal Poly, Idaho State and North Dakota in 2015.
2015 NAU football schedule
| Week 1 | Sept. 5 | @ San Diego |
| Week 2 | Sept. 12 | New Mexico Highlands |
| Week 3 | Sept. 19 | @ Arizona |
| Week 4 | Sept. 26 | @ Montana |
| Week 5 | Oct. 3 | Montana State |
| Week 6 | Oct. 10 | @ UC Davis |
| Week 7 | Oct. 17 | OPEN |
| Week 8 | Oct. 24 | Weber State |
| Week 9 | Oct. 31 | Northern Colorado |
| Week 10 | Nov. 7 | @ Eastern Washington |
| Week 11 | Nov. 14 | Sacramento State |
| Week 12 | Nov. 21 | @ Southern Utah |
