Both teams are trying to avoid their third league loss.
The Bobcats (3-2 in the Big Sky Conference, 5-4 overall) will start backup quarterback Mark Iddins against the Lumberjacks after Cody Kempt was sidelined with an undisclosed medical condition.
“We still haven't lost the sense of urgency that we felt when we dug ourselves a hole a couple weeks ago,” said MSU coach Rob Ash. “The biggest difference is we're handling the ball better. The turnover ratio has flipped from negative to positive.”
Ash said Iddins is ready for his first start as a Bobcat.
“He's a good player. It was a very close decision in the first place about whether he or Cody would start,” Ash said.
Iddins, who has passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns this season, looks forward to the opportunity.
“I've gotten a shot to show a little bit, but this is my real shot to show what I can do. I have to take full advantage of it,” Iddins said.
Northern Arizona allows about 40 yards rushing per game after Montana ran for 223 yards against them a week ago.
“I'm very, very impressed with what Northern Arizona has done,” Ash said. “It's an incredible performance over the season with their defensive effort. I don't care what happened last week, we're very respectful and very wary of what they can do to you defensively.”
Demetrius Crawford averages 85 yards rushing and has six touchdowns as does C.J. Palmer. DeSean Thomas leads MSU with 38 yards receiving per game and three touchdowns while tight end Brandon Bostick has six TD catches and averages 32 yards receiving.
NAU quarterback Lance Kriesien averages 152 yards passing and has eight touchdowns spread out among six receivers. Deonte Williams averages 97 yards rushing and has 10 touchdowns while Alex Henderson averages 76 yards rushing.
“It's a challenge to go on the road and play a team that's as balanced and deep and talented as Northern Arizona,” Ash said. “Our guys feel they still have something to shoot for. After this week, one of those teams will have two losses in the league and one will have three.”
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