Throughout the Arizona football team’s loss to NAU, there were a few bad plays and some positive ones that contributed to the unexpected finish to the game.
Stanley Berryhill III 51-yard punt return to the NAU 18
After forcing an NAU punt on their second offensive drive of the game, Berryhill returned the punt 51 yards to the NAU 18. A Northern Arizona player punted the ball 53 yards to the Arizona 31. Berryhill was able to field the ball and make some NAU defenders miss before hitting the gap and taking the punt back to the NAU 18. Arizona was held to a field goal after the return, giving them a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Will Plummer 49-yard touchdown pass to Boobie Curry
Plummer hit Curry down the left sideline for a 49-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to put Arizona up 10-0. The offensive line was able to give Curry enough time to get behind the NAU defense on a go route. Plummer was able to put the ball in the right place for Curry to make a play on it and score his first touchdown of the season.
Kenny Hebert intercepted Jeff Widener at NAU 40 and returned it to NAU 24
Late in the first quarter, Arizona linebacker Kenny Hebert intercepted a pass over the middle from NAU quarterback Jeff Widener. Hebert made the interception at the Northern Arizona 40-yard line and was able to return it 16 yards back to their 24-yard line. Arizona was able to turn this interception into a field goal to give them a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Plummer Intercepted for a touchdown by Brady Shough
With 1:48 left to go, Plummer was intercepted by NAU linebacker Brady Shough, who returned it for a touchdown to cut the Cats’ lead to 13-7. Arizona held a 13-0 lead and was looking to extend their lead before half. But a poor decision by the Arizona quarterback completely shifted the momentum in NAU’s favor right before half.
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Plummer pass incomplete to Drake Anderson on 4&4
Midway through the third quarter, Arizona was faced with a tough decision, when their drive came down to fourth and four. Head coach Jedd Fisch decided to keep his kicker, who was two for two, on the sideline and chose to go for it. The Wildcats ran a short pass to their running back Drake Anderson, which was broken up by an NAU defender, giving the ball back to the Lumberjacks. NAU made sure to take advantage of the stop, and in the next drive, they cashed in with a 12-yard touchdown from running back Kevin Daniels, giving them a 14-13.
Jordan McCloud 3-yd pass to Curry
Late in the fourth quarter, coach Fisch decided to make a change at quarterback and bring in Jordan McCloud for a struggling Plummer. In his third drive of the night, McCloud went 85 yards in seven plays, and he was able to cap it off with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Curry. After the failed 2-point conversion try, Arizona trailed NAU 21-19. This was McCloud’s first touchdown as a member of the Wildcats and Curry’s second of the night.
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