NAU opens Big Sky play vs. Cal Poly

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Big Sky Conference play begins this weekend for Northern Arizona when it welcomes Cal Poly to the Walkup Skydome.

Kickoff for the Lumberjacks and Mustangs is set for 4 p.m. The game will air live on FOX Sports Arizona Plus (complete channel listing).

The last time NAU and Cal Poly played, Ryan Reardon registered a "Superman Tackle" that garnered him ESPN SportsCenter's Top Play of the Day honors.

The YouTube clip has been viewed more than 96,000 times.

NAU fell from the Top 25 after dropping a 28-21 decision to South Dakota on the road last week.

Senior wide receiver Ify Umudo hauled in six passes for a career-high 152 receiving yards against the Coyotes. Umodu is second on the team with 244 receiving yards on 14 receptions. Junior safety Eddie Horn leads NAU in tackles (38). He set a new school record (since 2000) and career single-game high of 18 tackles.

Head coach Tim Walsh is 33-27 in six seasons at Cal Poly. The Mustangs earned their first win of the season last weekend with a 42-14 rout of Portland State in a non-conference game. Cal Poly is 0-2 on the road this season, and was held to 18 points or fewer both times.

NAU will retire the jersey of Hall of Famer Archie Amerson at halftime. Amerson is the only player in Lumberjacks history to win the prestigious Walter Payton Award and the only running back in Big Sky history to receive it.

Amerson earned the award in 1996 after he set a school single season record 2,079 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. During his 1996 season, Amerson set the now-FCS record for the most rushing touchdowns (seven) and most points scored (42) in a single game, which still remains today.