FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Coming off a win over Cal Poly on Saturday, Northern Arizona moved up in this week's national polls, as both The Sports Network and FCS coaches poll have the Lumberjacks ranked 14th.
NAU extended its winning streak to three games with a 17-13 victory on the road at Cal Poly, improving to 6-2 overall and moving into third place in the Big Sky with a 4-1 conference mark.
Individually, sophomore kick returner Marcus Alford was named the Big Sky Conference Co-Special Teams Player of the Week as well as the College Football Performance Awards FCS National Kickoff Returner of the Week for his performance in the win.
Alford recorded his first career touchdown when he returned a kickoff 96 yards in the fourth quarter for what turned out to be the deciding score. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown by the Lumberjacks this season; in fact, it was the first all season of more than 33 yards. Overall, Alford had three kickoff returns for 133 yards.
The Player of the Week award was Alford's first of his career.
