Arizona shocked by Northern Arizona, losing streak reaches 15 games
FCS team Northern Arizona stopped a 2-point conversion attempt with 2:16 to go to stun host Arizona 21-19 on Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz., extending the Wildcats’ losing streak to 15 games.
Jordan McCloud’s pass wobbled over the middle and hit the turf in the end zone before Brian Casteel could corral it.
NAU (1-2) recovered a pooch kick and ran out the clock.
Arizona (0-3) has the longest FBS losing streak in the nation. The Lumberjacks had lost 14 consecutive matchups against the Wildcats, last winning on Oct. 29, 1932, in Phoenix.
NAU trailed 13-0 early in the second quarter, but got a boost with the debut of third-team quarterback RJ Martinez and a pick-six from Brady Shough just before halftime.
The Lumberjacks used three quarterbacks in the first quarter and settled on Martinez, a true freshman from Texas. He was efficient, completing 11 of 16 passes for 88 yards with a touchdown and interception. He ran six times for 43 yards.
Devontae Ingram intercepted Arizona starting quarterback Will Plummer at the NAU 40 with 12:43 to go in the game. Martinez drove the team 60 yards for a touchdown, capped by a 9-yard pass to Hendrix Johnson with 7:53 left for a 21-13 lead.
McCloud, a transfer from South Florida, made his Arizona debut in the fourth quarter and gave his team a chance when he connected with Boobie Curry on a 3-yard pass with 2:14 to go. McCloud was 5-for-5 for 50 yards on the 85-yard drive.
NAU took a 14-13 lead at the 4:16 mark of the third quarter on a 12-yard run by Kevin Daniels, who finished with 109 yards on 27 carries.
The Arizona defense came up with three first-half turnovers, including a second-quarter interception by Christian Roland-Wallace at the UA 1-yard line to thwart the best scoring threat of the half by NAU’s offense.
The Lumberjacks’ defense later produced points when Shough returned an interception 28 yards for a score with 1:48 to go before halftime to cut the deficit to 13-7.
–Field Level Media