GREELEY, Colo. (AP) -- Andy Wilder kicked an 18-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the game to cap a 76-yard, 15-play drive as Northern Arizona escaped with a 12-10 victory over Northern Colorado on Saturday.
It was NAU's fourth come-from-behind win of the season and seventh straight win overall, the program's longest winning streak since 1958. The Lumberjacks are 5-0 in Big Sky play for the first time since 1996.
“I cannot say enough about our defense,” said NAU coach Jerome Souers.
“They played their tails off today. They were stingy all day today.”
Northern Arizona (7-1, 5-0 Big Sky) had a 9-3 lead at the half, courtesy of Mike Doser's 59-yard interception return for a touchdown with 4:07 left in the second quarter.
Northern Colorado (2-6, 1-4) took a 10-9 lead with 4:52 left in the game on a 15-yard scoring pass from Seth Lobato to Dominic Gunn.
Northern Arizona's Cary Grossart completed 21 of 32 passes for 225 yards, and Lobato completed 20 of 36 passes for 198 and a TD. Each quarterback threw an interception.
“We are going to learn a lot from this game,” said Souers. “We did not play well today. We have to be better in preparation and get more out in performance time.”
NAU held Northern Colorado -- which was coming off a 537-yard effort last week in a win against Idaho State -- to 240 total yards and just 42 rushing yards.
The Lumberjacks did not a score a offensive touchdown in the contest and had a season-high tying three turnovers. Running back Zach Bauman was held to 92 yards on 26 carries.
“Offensively, we struggled getting into a groove,” said Souers. “We credit our opponent with that. We had way too many turnovers and penalties to be effective.”
With NAU's win streak on the line, the offense delivered on the game-winning drive. It started with a sack, but Bauman then broke off a 13-yard run before Grossart completed four straight passes to move the Lumberjacks into Bears territory at the 28. Bauman was then held for no gain, and an incomplete pass set up a crucial fourth down. Bauman got 2 yards to extend the drive.
Grossart then hit Dejzon Walker for 21 yards down to the Northern Colorado 5-yard line, where Bauman was stopped twice, leaving the game on Wilder's right foot with 17 seconds left. He converted from 18 yards for his second game-winning kick of the season.
“Cary stepped up on the last drive and put us into field-goal position, and Andy secured the win,” said Souers. “It was a team win. It was ugly but another day in the Big Sky Conference.”
The Lumberjacks played without wideout Ify Umodo and tight end R.J. Rickert, who were both sidelined with injuries.
“We need to heel up,” said Souers. “We have a lot of guys down. We have new guys contributing. But we have to clean up our quality of play.”
