Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football

The NAU Lumberjacks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the Northern Arizona University located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference. The school's first football team was fielded in 1915. The team plays its home games at the 17,500 seat Walkup Skydome. Chris Ball has been the head coach since the 2019 season.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football
2023 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team
First season1915
Head coachChris Ball
5th season, 15–24 (.385)
StadiumWalkup Skydome
(capacity: 10,500)
LocationFlagstaff, Arizona
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferenceBig Sky Conference
All-time record452–447–23 (.503)
Conference titles2 (1978, 2003)
RivalriesSouthern Utah (rivalry)
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
Websitenauathletics.com

History

The Lumberjacks have maintained numerous rivalries with their western counterparts. Competition has not only been limited to the west. The Lumberjacks have also taken on eastern programs such as the Ole Miss Rebels, Florida Atlantic Owls, and the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

On September 18, 2021, Northern Arizona beat Arizona for the first time since 1932, winning 21–19. It was their first win against a FBS team since beating UTEP in 2018 and their third overall win against an FBS team since 2012. It is also the first time they beat a member of the Pac-12 Conference. [2][3]

Classifications
  • 1937–1952: NCAA College Division
  • 1953–1968: NAIA
  • 1969–1972: NCAA College Division
  • 1973–1977: NCAA Division II
  • 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference affiliations

Championships

Conference championships
Year Coach Conference Overall Record Conference Record
1956†Max SpilsburyFrontier Conference8–23–0
19578–13–0
195811–13–0
19596–2–13–0
1960†6–3–22–0–1
19613–5–11–0–1
19626–42–0
1978Joe SalemBig Sky Conference8–26–0
2003†Jerome Souers9–45–2

Postseason results

NAIA
Year Round Opponent Result Head coach
1958SemifinalGustavus AdolphusW 41–12    Max Spilsbury    
1958FinalNortheastern StateL 13–19    Max Spilsbury    

NCAA Division II playoffs
Year Round Opponent Result Head coach
1977QuarterfinalsJacksonville State        L 0–35    Joe Salem    
  • NAU was runner-up in Big Sky to champion Boise State, which had a scheduling conflict.

NCAA Division I-AA/FCS playoffs

The Lumberjacks have appeared in the NCAA I-AA/FCS playoffs six times, with an overall record of 1–6.

Year Round Opponent Result Head coach
1996First RoundFurmanL 32–41Steve Axman
1999First Round@ Georgia SouthernL 29–72Jerome Souers
2001First Round@ Sam Houston StateL 31–34
2003First Round
Quarterfinals		@ McNeese State
Florida Atlantic		W 35–3
L 25–48
2013First RoundSouth Dakota StateL 7–26
2017First RoundSan DiegoL 10–41

Rivalries

Southern Utah
Main article: Grand Canyon Rivalry

Northern Arizona leads Southern Utah 16–10 in the series through the 2021 fall season.

Current coaching staff
Name Position
Chris BallHead Coach
Aaron PflugradOffensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
Jerry PartridgeDefensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Everrette ThompsonDefensive Line Coach
Jesse ThompsonDefensive Backs Coach
Sammy LawansonOutside Linebackers Coach
Robin PflugradTight Ends Coach
Junior TaylorWide Receivers Coach
Bob ConnellyOffensive Line Coach
Aaron PriceRunning Backs/Special Teams Coordinator

Notable former players

Notable alumni include:

References
  1. "Northern Arizona University Visual Identity Guide". Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  2. @NAU_Football (19 September 2021). "FINAL" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. "NAU Knocks off Arizona 21-19 for First Ever Win Against a Pac-12 Opponent".
  4. "Leslie Duncan - ArenaFan.com". www.arenafan.com. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
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