NAU looks to upset Eastern Washington again
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona is set for an offensive showdown Saturday when it visits No. 4 Eastern Washington in Cheney, Wash.
Two of the top quarterbacks and the top two wide receivers in the league will face off on the red turf at 4 p.m. on FOX Sports Arizona Plus.
Quarterbacks Case Cookus vs. Jordan West and wide receivers Emmanuel Butler vs. Cooper Kupp -- all at the top of the national FCS and Big Sky rankings -- should make this an offensive explosion for the ages.
The Lumberjacks (5-3, 3-2) registered a new conference high of 63 points last weekend against Northern Colorado. NAU's efforts led to Cookus and Ryan Hawkins earning Big Sky player of the week honors.
Cookus was also named the national player of the week, after tying a school record seven thrown touchdowns. Butler and running back Casey Jahn are both on pace to record 1,000-yard seasons. On the defensive side of things, the Lumberjacks have come away with seven interceptions. Senior safety Eddie Horn is leading the way with three picks and 56 tackles.
NAU hasn't won in Cheney since 2006, dropping its last two games there. The Lumberjacks handed the Eagles their only conference loss last season, so the home team will be looking for redemption.
And just in case you forgot, this is play-by-play man Mitch Strohman's call of the dramatic finish a year ago.
Coach Beau Baldwin is 82-30 in eight seasons at Eastern Washington, as the Eagles (6-2, 6-0) ride a six-game win streak into Saturday.
For the second straight year, EWU will go up against NAU with an undefeated conference record. The Eagles were stunned by NAU in Flagstaff last year, falling 28-27 for EWU's only league loss.
Kupp leads the Big Sky in scoring, receptions per game and receiving yards per game. He's tallied 1,290 yards on 91 catches with 17 touchdowns. West is the leagues' leader in passing yards per game (329.9). He's thrown 28 touchdowns this season.