ARCATA — A familiar opponent in a different role visits Redwood Bowl for Saturday's Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener. Azusa Pacific, a program Humboldt State has faced 22 times, historically, is the newest member of the GNAC and HSU's first hurdle in defending its GNAC championship.
The second of three straight home games to open the season kicks off at 6 p.m.
Head-to-Head
In a series that began in 1987, Humboldt State holds a 15-7 lead. During the
Rob Smith era the Jacks have defeated APU all three times the schools have met, including their most recent game, a 49-32 victory in 2010. …The last Cougars' win over HSU was by a score of 27-17 in 2007.
On-the-Air
Humboldt State football can be once again heard over the airwaves on KATA, 1340 AM, the North Coast's ESPN radio affiliate. Former Lumberjack player and BiCoastal Media Sports Director J.B. Mathers describes the action and HSU Hall-of-Famer Burt Nordstrom adds commentary. Airtime is 5:45 p.m. … All broadcasts are also streamed live through the
hsujacks.com web site. HSU also offers live video streaming of games in Redwood Bowl. The stream can be accessed at
HSU vs. APU Live and can also be found by following the Live Video link on the
hsujacks.com home page.
LiveStats
All Humboldt State football home games feature LiveStats, viewable through the Lumberjacks' web site at
hsujacks.com. Simply follow the link listed as LIVESTATS on the home page, or paste the following link into your browser:
http://www.sidearmstats.com/humboldt/football
Promotions
Saturday's game is Six Rivers Youth Football Night, recognizing local youth teams throughout the North Coast community. Baywood Golf and Country Club will be sponsoring the game with giveaways during halftime. Halftime activities include the punt, pass and kick contest.
Injury Report
Free safety Tanner Webb sustained contusions early in Thursday's game, and defensive tackle Tonio Celotto suffered an unexplained shortness of breath that sent him to the hospital for tests. Both are expected to return to practice later in the week and be available at game time.
GNAC Red Lion Player of the Week
Running back Nick Ricciardulli was selected Red Lion Offensive Player of the Week, and defensive end Alex Markarian was chosen RL Defensive Player of the Week, the GNAC information office announced Monday. Both played critical roles in the Jacks' 38-13 win over Colorado Mesa. …Ricciardulli rushed for 159 yards on 24 carries, scoring on touchdown runs of one and 74 yards in the Lumberjacks' season-opening win. Riccardulli also had three receptions and finished with 162 all-purpose yards. His 74-yard jaunt equals the fifth longest in conference history. …Markarian, a sophomore from Chino Hills had nine tackles including six solos and three quarterback sacks for a combined loss of 16 yards.
Lumberjack Notes
The adage "when a door closes, a window opens" could be applied to Saturday's injuries, which forced the coaching staff to call upon backup personnel. Sophomore Nick Sharpe responded to Webb's departure from the game, filling in at free safety with a fourth quarter interception that he returned 22 yards for a touchdown. …Also impressive in their debuts as Lumberjack starters were cornerback Jamarie Sanders and quarterback Alex Rump. Sanders made six tackles and broke up a pass and Rump was 16-of-23, passing for 168 yards. "Zero interceptions and zero sacks represents a very solid first game," Smith said, of Rump's inauguration party. "I kept the play-calling pretty close to the vest, but we'll open it up more for Alex and dig a little deeper in the playbook now. He gave us exactly what we wanted for a first game – a chance to be successful." …Placekicker Matt Bruder converted all five of his PAT tries against Colorado Mesa, also adding a 43-yard field goal in the Jacks' opener. Bruder, who set a school record of 44 successful PATs in 44 attempts two years ago, has now connected on all 49 of his attempts as a college kicker. The sophomore redshirted in 2011, allowing then-senior teammate Brian Blumberg to tie Bruder's record for successful PATs in a season at 44. …Linebacker Colton Russi was held out of last week's game because of NCAA eligibility questions that the coaches hope to have cleared up this week. …Defensive end Keaton Arden, a transfer from Diablo Valley College, will participate this week after being held out of the opener for disciplinary reasons.
Humboldt State Weekly Coaches Awards
SP. Teams Scout: James Dallas Hamilton
Opponent Notes
In its first game as an NCAA Division II program, Azusa Pacific dropped its season-opener, 41-3 to NCAA Division I FCS UC Davis on Thursday. Despite the loss, the Cougars found many reasons that predict success to come, including 144 yards gained on 17 attempts by sophomore running back Terrell Watson. He also caught two passes for 38 yards, giving him 182 of the Cougars' 218 yards of total offense. …Saturday's game will be the first-ever conference contest for Azusa Pacific. The program's previous 47 years of existence have all been as an NAIA independent. …Head coach Victor Santa Cruz is in his sixth year as Cougars' head coach. His overall record directing APU is 29-36.
Smith Says
“We're going to have to be ready for Azusa Pacific to come in here sky high. It's their first conference game in the GNAC against the defending conference champions. We expect every team to give us their best shot." … "We have something to build off of (from last week's game), and we're at home again. There were obvious mistakes that we'll work on clearing up this week."
Game Conditions
Temperatures in the low 50s and very light winds are expected at kickoff time Saturday. There is a 10 percent chance of precipitation.
GNAC Standings 9/3/12
|
Simon Fraser |
0-0 |
1-0 |
|
Humboldt State |
0-0 |
1-0 |
|
Azusa Pacific |
0-0 |
0-1 |
|
Central Washington |
0-0 |
0-1 |
|
Dixie State |
0-0 |
0-1 |
|
Western Oregon |
0-0 |
0-1 |
2012 GNAC Coaches Preseason Poll
School 2011 Record Pts.
1. Humboldt State (4) 9-1 (7-1, 1st) 24
2. Central Washington (2) 4-6 (4-4, 3rd) 20
3. Western Oregon 6-5 (6-2, 2nd) 19
4. Azusa Pacific 9-3 (Independent) 13
5. Simon Fraser 3-7 (2-6, 4th) 7
5. Dixie State 1-10 (1-7, 5th)
