The victory improved the Hornets to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in Big Sky Conference games. It also gave the team its third-consecutive win in Flagstaff and ended the team’s nine-game road losing streak. NAU dropped to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in league games.

Sacramento State trailed for most of the game, falling behind 14-0 in the first nine minutes. The team trailed 21-14 entering the fourth quarter but

outscored NAU, 10-0, to record its first fourth-quarter comeback since defeating Saint Mary’s on Sept. 1, 2001.

The Hornets opened the game by forcing Northern Arizona to punt. Sacramento State, however, mishandled its first snap and the Lumberjacks recovered the ball on the 28-yard line. NAU used just five plays before Brian Bingham scored from 1-yard out with 8:35 left in the first quarter.

The Lumberjacks added to their lead just two minutes later when Clint Womack hit Clarence Moore for a 54-yard score at the 6:21 mark.

Northern Arizona drove deep into Hornet territory on its next possession but freshman Noel Taueetia forced Womack to fumble at the 3-yard line and the ball was recovered by Bilal Watkins.

Sacramento State completed the first-half scoring when Derard Barton plunged in from 1-yard to make the score, 14-7, at halftime.

NAU maintained its seven-point advantage following the third quarter, as each team scored one touchdown. The Hornets jumped on the board first when Ryan Leadingham connected with Kenan Smith for a 33-yard touchdown down the left side of the field to tie score, 14-14.

Moments later, the Lumberjacks regained the lead when Womack found Moore on a wide receiver screen. After Moore caught the short pass, he darted 55 yards for his second touchdown of the game.

The fourth quarter began with each team fumbling on

their first possession. Sacramento State appeared to have the momentum after Taueetia scooped up a loose ball and took it down to NAU 20-yard line. The Hornets, however, struggled to move the ball before Ryan Leadingham was sacked and fumbled on third down. The ball rolled back to the 33-yard line before Kenan Smith was able to recover. Bret LeVier salvaged the drive on the next play with a carer-long 50-yard field goal to make the score 21-17 with 12:42 remaining in the game.

Northern Arizona’s following drive ended when Womack was intercepted by Ramon Payne. The sophomore returned the ball to the Hornet 35-yard line setting up a 65-yard scoring drive. During the drive, Sacramento State used 10 plays and a variety of running backs. The drive was capped by Kendall Riley who plowed 4 yards for his first TD of the year. The touchdown and LeVier’s extra point gave Sacramento State a 24-21 advantage with 7:03 left in the game.

NAU attempted to answer on its next drive but Paul

Ernster’s 49-yard attempt sailed wide left giving the Hornets the ball on the 32-yard line. The Hornets gave the ball back to Northern Arizona with 2:19 remaining after being stopped on three-consecutive run attempts. Punter Paul Kerr appeared to pin the Lumberjacks on the 1-yard line but the ball eluded Julian Cummings and trickled into the end zone for a touchback. On NAU’s first play, Womack was intercepted by Ryan Kroekr who returned the ball to the 10-yard line.

>From the point, Sacramento State kneeled the ball and ran out the clock.

Kroeker led the Hornet defense with 11 tackles (five solo, six assits). White tallied 40 rushing yards while Barton amassed 39 and Riley added 37.

Leadingham was 12-for-16 (both season lows) with 198 yards and a TD. Michael Johnson grabbed three passes to lead a group of seven Hornets who each caught a pass.

Northern Arizona was guided by Moore who hauled in

nine catches for 192 yards. Bingham totaled 42 rushing yards while Womack ended the night 20-for-34 for 322 yards. He also had two touchdowns and two interceptions.

As a team, Northern Arizona recorded nearly 100 more yards of total offense (392-294). The Lumberjacks, however, committed eight penalties for 83 yards and had four turnovers, compared to one by Sacramento State.

Sacramento State returns to Hornet Stadium for just the second time this season next Saturday, Oct. 19, against No. 14 Portland State. The game, which will also be Homecoming, will kick off at 1:05 p.m.

NOTES: The Hornets were playing the game without

leading receiver Fred Amey, tailback Tyronne Gross and all-Big Sky offensive lineman Chris Frank…junior Scott McNamara suffered a concussion midway through the first quarter and did not return to game…Garrett White carried the ball just one time in the second half due to bruised ribs and turf toe…senior Gary Austin did not record a catch to end his consecutive-games streak with a reception at 28 games…both Payne and Kroeker

recorded their first career interception.