ARCATA — As if they didn't have enough motivation already, Humboldt State's football players can add the special occasion of homecoming as one of their reasons to perform well on Saturday. Their celebratory intentions will be challenged by the Southern Oregon Raiders, who join the Jacks in Redwood Bowl for the 6 p.m. kickoff.
Humboldt State enters the game with a 3-3 overall record, but is only a combined 12 points from a perfect 6-0 in a somewhat frustrating season. The Lumberjacks suffered a 34-27 loss to No. 4 ranked Central Washington last week, while Southern Oregon, at 2-4, is coming off a 20-13 win over Azusa Pacific.
Homecoming Promotions
US Cellular will be giving away 1,200 embroidered Jacks Beanies during the homecoming game. …The first 160 fans to arrive wearing "Got Jacks" t-shirts will receive a free slice of pizza provided by Big Pete's Pizza. …Free flower bouquets will be provided by Sun Valley Floral Group. …More information on homecoming activities can be found at the following link: www.humboldt.edu/homecoming.
On-the-Air
Every Lumberjack football game is broadcast live over the local airways on KATA, 1340 AM, beginning with the pregame show 15 minutes prior to game time. Bicoastal Media Sports Director J.B. Mathers describes the action and HSU Hall of Fame inductee Burt Nordstrom adds commentary. …Audio is also streamed live over the Internet through the hsujacks.com web site. The new UStream format allows an interactive chat between listeners during the webcast. The specific URL for access is located at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/humboldt-state-athletics.
Live Stats
All Lumberjack football home games can be tracked online by using the Live Stats feature on hsujacks.com. Real time statistics, drive progress and other information are included on the game viewer. The feature can be found at http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/football/.
Lumberjacks Links
2009 Schedule
2009 Roster
Two-Deep
Head-to-Head
Against their closest opponent geographically, the Lumberjacks hold a 22-19 edge in the all-time series. Last year's game, a 15-14 HSU win in Ashland, is also indicative of the competitive relationship these programs have enjoyed over the years. Humboldt State has won six of the last seven games, the exception a 30-13 Raiders' victory in 2007.
Weekly Awards
HSU's coaching staff has selected the following players for weekly honors: Offense - Chris Bolt; Defense - Justin Price; Special Teams - Chauncey Fagan; Scout Offense - Tim Young; Scout Defense - Robert Keegan. Captains selected for the Southern Oregon game are Chris Holmes on offense and Drew Shaw on defense. Season captains are Taylor Boggs for offense and Bubba Reynolds on defense.
Lumberjack Notes
Only 12 points separate the Lumberjacks from a perfect 6-0 season, but those meager digits have been enough to drop them to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the GNAC. In fact, HSU has not trailed entering the fourth quarter all season, and has been outscored 38-30 in the final period, the only one the Jacks don't hold an advantage in. "This last week's game (34-27 loss to No. 4 ranked Central Washington) was an example of the mistakes we've made that are hurting us in the fourth quarter," HSU head coach Rob Smith said. "A fumbled punt, and then giving up a blocked punt made the difference between winning and losing. You can't do that against good teams." …Both Mike Proulx and Chris Bolt played quarterback again last week, and both emerged with impressive performances. Proulx completed 7-of-10 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Bolt went 9-of-17 for 124 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Neither signal-caller threw an interception. …For the second time this fall the Jacks scored on their opening play from scrimmage, both occasions on a pass from Proulx to Corey Stollmeyer. This time the play went 52 yards, while the other opening score, against Adams State, was a 77-yard connection. …Humboldt State kicker Kyle Schierholt ranks 10th nationally in field goals with a 1.40 per game average. Free safety Wes Montgomery ranks 20th in interceptions with 0.6 per game. As a team, the Lumberjacks rank 19th in pass efficiency with a 139.0 rating, and 25th in scoring defense, holding opponents to 18.5 points per game.
Injury Report
Freshman running back Nick Ricciardulli is likely lost for the season with a leg injury. Earlier in the year, Ricciardulli was forced to miss the first two games of the season with a knee problem. …Linebacker Mike Lynch is out with a calf injury. …"This time of year you have to deal with that kind of adversity," Smith said. "We've been somewhat fortunate that most of the injuries have been the type you can recover from and play again instead of ending someone's season."
Raider Notes
Southern Oregon shares two common opponents with HSU, with matching results. The Raiders scored 20 straight points in coming from behind to defeat Azusa Pacific last week, 20-13, but lost the previous week to Western Oregon, 23-0. …Running back Brandon Baldwin ranked fifth in the NAIA last week with an average of 114 yards per game. The sophomore more than doubled his average in the APU game, carrying the ball 44 times for 278 net yards. He enters the week averaging 141.3 yards per game. …While located across the state's northern border, Southern Oregon has a definite California feel to its roster. Fourty-eight players are from the Golden State, while only 36 are from Oregon.
Smith Says
"Baldwin has been their guy on offense, and (Southern Oregon) has played tough defense in all of its games." …"The proximity of Southern Oregon to Humboldt State makes for a nice rivalry. They're a quality NAIA program that will come in here to compete." …"This is an important game for both programs. We have a great college football atmosphere here, and its homecoming, so this is a significant game on the schedule."
