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NAU football faces another tough Big Sky test at Idaho State
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- NAU football faces another tough Big Sky test at Idaho State
No. 19 Northern Arizona travels to No. 14 Idaho State on Saturday, Oct. 3, in another Big Sky Conference showdown between FCS top 20 football teams.
The Lumberjacks (3-2 overall, 2-1 conference) dropped last week's game at No. 1 Montana State, 28-14.
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Idaho State (4-0, 1-0 conference) defeated Southern Utah 28-24 last week. The Bengals have climbed into the top 15 of both FCS polls.
The Bengals enter the game with their best start in 31 years. That included an impressive 29-17 victory over FBS Utah State to start the 2026 season. The Bengals last opened a season 4-0 in 1995.
Idaho State has won eight consecutive games dating back to last season.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jaxon Williams (5) fumbles the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks fails to catch the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) gets tackled during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Noah Fifita (1) during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Chase Kennedy (7) celebrates with linebacker Taye Brown (6) during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Ezra Runa (92) tackles Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the second quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Tre Smith (3) celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks head coach Brian Wright watches from the sidelines during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Chase Kennedy (7) celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Dash Fifita (0) celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Dash Fifita (0) tackles Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the second quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks tight end Jeter Purdy (89) catches the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Cooper Blomstrom (48) pulls on the jersey of Northern Arizona Lumberjacks running back Quran Gossett (10) during the third quarter of a game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) scrambles against Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea (41) during the third quarter at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Giovanni Richardson (5) runs after the catch during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Cooper Blomstrom (48) applies pressure to Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the third quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats defensive linebacker Kevin Moorer Jr. (38) sacks Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the third quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats running back Antwan Roberts Jr. (44) scores a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats safety Quinn Olson (35) celebrates a turn over during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats safety Quinn Olson (35) celebrates with head coach Brent Brennan a turnover during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Cooper Blomstrom (48) pulls on the jersey of Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Donovan Dixon (2) during the fourth quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks wide receiver Peyton Stokes (16) runs down the field to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks wide receiver Peyton Stokes (16) runs down the field to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks wide receiver Peyton Stokes (16) runs down the field to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks center back Nijrell Eason II (10) tackles Arizona Wildcats wide receiver R.J. Mosley (2) during the fourth quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Sawyer Anderson (7) throws the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Arizona Wildcats safety Quinn Olson (35) celebrates after a turnover against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks during the third quarter at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jaxon Williams (5) fumbles the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jaxon Williams (5) fumbles the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks fails to catch the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) gets tackled during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Noah Fifita (1) during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Chase Kennedy (7) celebrates with linebacker Taye Brown (6) during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Ezra Runa (92) tackles Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the second quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Tre Smith (3) celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks head coach Brian Wright watches from the sidelines during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Chase Kennedy (7) celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Dash Fifita (0) celebrates during the second quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Dash Fifita (0) tackles Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the second quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks tight end Jeter Purdy (89) catches the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Cooper Blomstrom (48) pulls on the jersey of Northern Arizona Lumberjacks running back Quran Gossett (10) during the third quarter of a game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) scrambles against Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea (41) during the third quarter at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Giovanni Richardson (5) runs after the catch during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Cooper Blomstrom (48) applies pressure to Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the third quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats defensive linebacker Kevin Moorer Jr. (38) sacks Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Ty Pennington (6) during the third quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats running back Antwan Roberts Jr. (44) scores a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats safety Quinn Olson (35) celebrates a turn over during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats safety Quinn Olson (35) celebrates with head coach Brent Brennan a turnover during the third quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats linebacker Cooper Blomstrom (48) pulls on the jersey of Northern Arizona Lumberjacks quarterback Donovan Dixon (2) during the fourth quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks wide receiver Peyton Stokes (16) runs down the field to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks wide receiver Peyton Stokes (16) runs down the field to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks wide receiver Peyton Stokes (16) runs down the field to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks center back Nijrell Eason II (10) tackles Arizona Wildcats wide receiver R.J. Mosley (2) during the fourth quarter of the game at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Sawyer Anderson (7) throws the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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See photos from Arizona football's season opener vs. NAU
Arizona Wildcats safety Quinn Olson (35) celebrates after a turnover against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks during the third quarter at Casino Del Sol Stadium in Tucson, on Sept. 5, 2026.
(Aryanna Frank/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Fifth-year senior quarterback Jordan Cooke has thrown for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Idaho State leads the Big Sky and ranks eighth nationally with 38.5 points a game. Chedon James, a fifth-year senior receiver, has recorded 17 receptions for 310 yards and four touchdowns.
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Against Southern Utah, the Bengals amassed 242 rushing yards, a season high. Sophomore running back Tytan Mason had four yards on 10 carries.
"They're very efficient on offense with a really good quarterback, good receivers," NAU head coach Brian Wright said in an NAU press release. "They've found a way to run the football when they want to."
Defensively, Idaho State ranks seventh nationally in passing yards allowed at just 144 yards a game.
NAU quarterback Ty Pennington has completed 61% of his passes for 1,047 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. NAU has also struggled converting their third-down attempts, ranking last in the Big Sky converting only 26%.
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NAU has won four straight against Idaho State and 14 out of the last 15 meetings dating back to 2005. The Bengals last victory over NAU came in 2018.
The matchup will mark the second of a three-game stretch against nationally ranked opponents for NAU. After, the Lumberjacks will return to Flagstaff to face No. 2 Montana on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. MST.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NAU football faces another tough Big Sky test at Idaho State
