DAVIS, Calif. (AP) -- Lucky Dozier returned an interception 78 yards for the go-ahead score and senior running back Zach Bauman became the Northern Arizona all-time career rushing yards leader as the Lumberjacks improved to 1-1 with a 21-10 come-from-behind victory over UC Davis.
Bauman finished with 56 yards on 18 carries. For his career, he now has 3,803 yards, breaking Marcus King's school record of 3,794 set in 2001. He ranks ninth all-time in the Big Sky Conference.
“It means a lot,” Bauman said. “All of the hard work that I’ve been putting in since I came to college has really shown.”
NAU struck first as Kyren Poe connected on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dejzon Walker with 6:51 to go in the first quarter.
After managing only 15 yards total offense in the first quarter, UC Davis bounced back in the second quarter with an 80-yard drive capped by quarterback Jimmy Laughrea's 23-yard touchdown run. The Aggies (0-3) took their first lead with a 25-yard field goal by Brady Stuart with 7:59 to go in the third quarter.
But the Lumberjacks scored the game's final 14 points. Dozier's interception return and the extra point made it 14-10 with 9:05 to play, and Marcus Alford came up with a second pick six -- returning his 47 yards -- with 1:56 to go to provide the final margin.
“I thought their defense played us well tonight,” NAU head coach Jerome Souers said. “We’ve had a number of injuries to our offensive linemen, so we were forced to use some young faces. I think they capitalized on our youth tonight. I’m proud of our defense. They didn’t give up and they made some huge plays in the second half.”
Though both teams play in the Big Sky Conference, this was considered a
nonconference game and will not count in the Big Sky standings.
Northern Arizona returns to Flagstaff to host South Dakota in its home opener on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 4 p.m.
