Northern Arizona Upsets Sacramento State 34-16 in Big Sky Opener

In a significant upset during the Big Sky Conference opener, Northern Arizona University defeated Sacramento State 34-16 on Saturday in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Lumberjacks, now with a 3-2 record, were led by quarterback Ty Pennington, who threw two touchdown passes and completed 21 of 25 attempts for 240 yards. The first half saw Sacramento State, ranked 10th in the coaches' poll, struggle offensively, managing only three field goals and trailing 10-9 at halftime. The turning point came in the third quarter when Northern Arizona's Alex McLaughlin sacked Sacramento State quarterback Carson Conklin, forcing a fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Ammon Allen, extending the Lumberjacks' lead to 20-9. Just moments later, Pennington connected with Tay Lanier for another touchdown, further solidifying their advantage. The Hornets, despite a late touchdown pass from Conklin to Jared Gipson, could not recover from the deficit. Northern Arizona's defense played a crucial role, recovering three fumbles and limiting Sacramento State to just 221 total yards. The Lumberjacks outgained the Hornets significantly, showcasing a balanced offensive attack with contributions from Lanier and Bryzai White, who combined for 13 receptions and 158 yards. This victory marks a pivotal moment for Northern Arizona, demonstrating their potential in the conference and setting the stage for future matchups as they aim to build on this momentum.