Lumberjacks rout New Mexico Highlands

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Kyren Poe threw three touchdown passes and a career-best 241 yards to lead Northern Arizona to a 62-23 rout Saturday night of Division-II New Mexico Highlands.

Poe threw a 23-yard touchdown to Alex Holmes on Northern Arizona's first series and the Lumberjacks never trailed. Poe connected with Bryant O'Georgia for a 6-yard score, and Emmanuel Butler with a 2-yarder in the third quarter.

"Tonight was great because we were able to incorporate a lot of different players into our offense," Poe said. "Our offensive line did a great job of giving me time in the pocket allowing us to make plays and our running backs stepped up big tonight."

Chase Cartwright was 5 of 7 for 42 yards and threw two touchdown passes, including a 3-yard strike to Butler. True freshman Marquice Paige ran for 136 yards with a 21-yard touchdown. Redshirt freshman Corbin Jountti ran for 124 yards and an 11-yard score for Northern Arizona (2-1).

"I am very proud of our football team tonight," NAU coach Jerome Souers said. "We had a lot of guys involved in our game plan today and we had a lot of guys carry the football for us, which allowed us to work down our depth chart."

Lance Orender was 24 of 44 for 336 yards and threw three touchdown passes to lead New Mexico Highlands (0-2), which has lost ten straight.

"Defensively there were times where we looked really good and then as we started playing our less experienced guys we had some trouble executing but those are things you have to go through when you are playing young and inexperienced players," Souers said. "Overall we were looking for a total team performance and offensively we were efficient and our special teams continues to improve so with that in mind, I think we are going in the right direction."