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Flagstaff, AZ - Northern Arizona took advantage of a sluggish start by the Portland State Vikings, grabbed an early lead then hung on, winning a Big Sky Conference game, 24-10, at JL Walkup Skydome.

PSU dropped its fourth straight game and is now 1-4 on the season, 0-2 in the Big Sky. Meanwhile, the 22nd-ranked Lumberjacks climb to 4-1, 2-0 in conference play. NAU has won four in a row.

It started well as the Viking defense got a quick three-and-out against NAU. PSU kicker Nick Fernandez opened the scoring a few moments later with a 41-yard field goal.

Northern Arizona answered with two quick touchdowns. A 13-play, 75-yard drive that included three Viking penalties led to a seven-yard Zach Bauman touchdown run. Following an interception and return of a PSU quarterback Kieran McDonagh pass, the 'Jacks needed only 17 yards to get it into the end zone. NAU led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

Andy Wilder added a 38-yard field goal for the 'Jacks in the second quarter to make it 17-3.

Outside of the opening drive for a field goal, the Viking offense couldn't get going. PSU had just 85 yards at halftime. And, other than NAU's 75-yard scoring drive in the first period, the Viking defense played well.

McDonagh led a great opening drive to the third period, moving PSU 12 plays and 75 yards. He converted a fourth-and-one play from the NAU 44, and later rushed it in on an option play from five yards out. That pulled the Vikings within 17-10. McDonagh had 32 passing yards and 20 rushing yards on the drive.

The Lumberjacks came back and scored on their next possession. Cary Grossart led a six-play, 80-yard drive. He hit Drew Emmanuel on a 30-yard touchdown strike with 8:23 left in the third quarter.

PSU's defense held up the rest of the way, but the inconsistent play of the offense was unable to sustain any more drives.

The Viking defense held star 'Jack back Zach Bauman to 92 yards on 28 carries just a week after he had 254 against Montana. But Grossart took over for NAU, completing 24 of 34 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns.

In all, NAU out-gained PSU 348-271. The Vikings had two turnovers to none for the Lumberjacks. PSU was averaging 431 yards of total offense and 31.5 points per game going into the contest.

Ian Sluss made a career-high 17 tackles for Portland State, including three tackles for loss. PSU made 11 tackles for loss in all, but it wasn't enough.

DJ Adams rushed 17 times for 56 yards to lead PSU. McDonagh was 17-34 for 154 yards and two interceptions. He also rushed for 38 yards.

GAME NOTES: True freshman safety Nick Rothstein got the start for the Vikings, playing in his first game. As a result, Coach Nigel Burton moved Mike Williams back to cornerback from safety in a move to shore up his pass defense… Khalil Bass had 13 tackles for PSU and Jaycob Shoemaker added 10… Portland State will host Idaho State next Saturday at JELD-WEN Field. Game time is 5:07 p.m. and it will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Northwest. The radio broadcast airs on Freedom 970 AM and www.freedom970.com. The pre-game show begins at 4 p.m.