Backs and receivers look to carry offense
Jason Harris - April 24th, 2008Poised to run over the Big Sky Conference in 2008, the NAU football team has depth on offense. Last year the Lumberjacks rushed for more yards than any team in the conference. Averaging 50 yards more per game than second place Montana, the Jacks gained more than 230 yards a game on the ground.
A season high for rushing came against Big Sky foe Idaho State, when the Jacks rushed for 358 yards and three touchdowns against the Bengals.
Last season’s lowest rushing output for the Lumberjacks came against the University of Arizona, when the Jacks rushed for only 56 yards.
Returning is the three-headed monster that did most of the damage last season, better known as the running backs junior Alex Henderson and senior Lionel Scott, and junior quarterback Lance Kriesien. Averaging 5.9 yards per carry, Henderson finished fifth in the Big Sky with 899 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown against Montana.
Scott rushed for 747 yards, including a team-high nine touchdowns. Listed as a senior, Scott has appealed to the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility after missing some time.
“We really hope to get Lionel back. We play off each others’ energy,” Henderson said. “He is our power back and I’m more of a skat back.”
On the ground, Kriesien rushed for 696 yards and eight touchdowns. Kriesien will have help as he tries to lead a passing attack that ranked second to last in the conference. From under the center, Kriesien had 1,897 yards and 10 touchdowns in the air his first year as a starter.
“We felt that there were some plays left on the field last year,” said head coach Jerome Souers. “Being successful in the Big Sky requires a strong passing game and we are working to have one.”
Kriesien will not have his main target, Alex Watson, who graduated after leading the Lumberjacks in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown grabs.
“You don’t replace a player like Watson,” Souers said. “He was our playmaker.”
Wide receiver Kenny Mahone also is graduating and will not be back.
Pulling down the second most catches last season was senior tight end Shaun Fitzpatrick, who came on strong at the end of the season.
“I choose NAU because the year I graduated, the tight end here had 47 catches. The back-up had around 20,” Fitzpatrick said. “I came here ready to catch passes.”
Fitzpatrick is also returning from off-season knee surgery.
Coming out of the backfield, Henderson was the only other player to catch at least 20 balls.
“I’m working hard on my hands and agility so I can make a big impact,” Henderson said. “I’m trying to lose a few pounds to get faster. I want to be the playmaker.”
Junior wideout Ryan Rauschert made the transition from quarterback to receiver and had his first full season at the position last year, pulling in 16 passes for 225 yards. Mid-season junior transfers Conrad Meadows and Ed Berry should add depth and experience.
Looking to bounce back from a season-ending ankle injury, senior wide receiver Skyler Moore should give the Lumberjacks’ passing game a boost. As a sophomore he caught 39 passes for 687 yards and nine touchdowns.In terms of passing, the best game for the Lumberjacks came against Western New Mexico, when the Jacks piled up 257 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The only other time the Jacks crossed the 200-yard barrier was against Idaho State and Montana. Against Idaho State the Lumberjacks passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Against Montana the Jacks racked up 204 receiving yards, but were held without a touchdown.
The season low for the Lumberjacks’ passing output came against Sacramento State, when the Jacks only passed for 102 yards.
“We have a lot of depth at receiver this year which should make the position and our game plan competitive,” Souers said.
The Jacks will show off their offense for the first time this Saturday at the annual spring game. The scrimmage begins at noon and there is a barbeque outside the dome starting at 11:30 a.m. The barbeque will cost $5.