NAU kicks off football practice Monday for Souers' 18th season
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Northern Arizona football program reports for fall drills on Sunday, Aug. 9, with the first practice to follow on Monday at 11:30 a.m. Jerome Souers enters his 18th season as head coach of the Lumberjacks, who open their season on the road on Sept. 5 at Stephen F. Austin.
The Lumberjacks finished fifth in the Big Sky Conference last year (7-5 overall, 5-3 Big 12) and were picked fifth by the coaches and sixth by the media in the preseason poll.
A Quick Glance at the Offense
First-year offensive coordinator Tim Plough inherits a roster that features seven returning starters and 18 players with at least one career start. Plough spent the previous two seasons as the Lumberjacks' wide receivers coach. With Plough taking over the coordinator reins, NAU will continue to run a multiple attack, but fans should expect to a little bit more of an uptempo offense. Aaron Pflugrad takes over as wide receivers coach, and Tim Davis steps in as offensive line coach.
Senior tight end R.J. Rickert is a first-team selection on the College Sports Madness preseason All-Big Sky team, senior running back Casey Jahn, who ran for 824 yards, is a second-team choice, and senior wide receiver Dejzon Walker, junior offensive lineman Eric Rodriguez and senior offensive lineman Leroy Guenther were all third-team selections.
A Quick Glance at the Defense
Andy Thompson returns for his 11th season at NAU and seventh as the defensive coordinator. Thompson has five returning seniors on defense. After ranking first in the Big Sky in 2014 in pass defense and opponent third-down conversions, and second in scoring defense, pass defense efficiency and opponent first downs, NAU is poised to improve those numbers come the fall. Cha'pelle Brown is the new man on the defensive coaching staff, working with the cornerbacks. Brown's position group is headed by senior All-America candidate Marcus Alford.
Alford is a first-team preseason All-Big Sky selection, senior safety Eddie Horn is a second-team selection, and sophomore defensive lineman Deon Young is a third-team pick.
A Quick Glance at Special Teams
The Lumberjacks ranked 25th nationally in net punting (44.3) last season and 22nd in kickoff return defense (17.6). Ryan Hawkins returns to handle both the placekicking and punting duties. He averaged 51.2 yards per punt last season and is on the All-Big Sky preseason first team.
2015 NAU Football Camp Schedule
Aug. 10: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., helmets only.
Aug. 11: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., helmets only.
Aug. 12-14: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Aug. 15: 2:30-4:30 p.m., scrimmage (Dome).
Aug. 17: 9:30-11:30 a.m.; 4-6 p.m. (Dome).
Aug. 18: 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Aug. 19: 9:30-11:30 a.m.; 4-6 p.m. (Dome).
Aug. 20-21: 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Aug. 22: 2-4 p.m., scrimmage (Dome).
Aug. 24: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Aug. 25: 9:30 a.m.-noon.
Aug. 26: 9:30-11:30 a.m.; 4-6 p.m. (Dome).
Aug. 27: 4-6 p.m., scrimmage (Dome).
Aug. 28: 9-11 a.m.
Aug. 29: 4-6 p.m.
Aug. 30: 9:30 a.m.-noon.
