08/29/26 07:56:00
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08/29 19:54 CDT Northern Arizona defeats Eastern Washington 34-27 after
trailing by 21 points in the first half
Northern Arizona defeats Eastern Washington 34-27 after trailing by 21 points
in the first half
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) --- Ty Pennington hit Nassim Isaac with a short touchdown
pass on a fourth-and-goal play in the fourth quarter and the Northern Arizona
defense held on downs inside its own 10-yard line to preserve a 34-27 victory
in a season and Big Sky opener on Saturday night.
The 2-yard touchdown was the first catch for Isaac in his first career game. It
gave NAU a 34-27 lead.
The Lumberjacks, ranked 25th in the FCS, won after briefly trailing by 21
points in the second quarter. Their rally was jump-started by Lindsey Graves'
100-yard kickoff return following EWU's touchdown that had made the score 24-3.
Following an interception, the Lumberjacks drove 33 yards capped by Quran
Gossett's 2-yard touchdown run to make it 24-17 at halftime.
Northern Arizona added a short field goal in the third quarter, followed by
Pennington's 30-yard touchdown pass to Jeter Purdy for the Lumberjacks' first
lead of the game, 27-24, early in the fourth quarter.
Eastern Washington tied the score at 27 on Soren McKee's 37-yard field goal
with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
After the go-ahead score, NAU's defense forced a three-and-out followed by the
Lumberjacks' own three-and-out. The Eagles had one last chance, taking
possession at their 20-yard line with 1:52 remaining. They drove to the 8-yard
line before the Lumberjacks forced incomplete passes on third and fourth downs
to hang on for the win.
Pennington threw for 164 yards with two touchdowns and was intercepted once.
Gossett had 103 yards on the ground and Purdy had 105 yards receiving.
Eastern Washington's Nate Bell passed for 307 yards with two touchdowns and an
interception.
Up next
Eastern Washington: vs. Northern Iowa on Saturday.
Northern Arizona: at Arizona on Saturday.
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