NAU football enjoys big second quarter, holds off Idaho State for road win
R.J. Martinez threw for a touchdown and ran for another, leading Northern Arizona on multiple extended drives to hold off a struggling Idaho State team, 24-10, in Pocatello, Idaho, Saturday.
ISU (1-7, 1-4 Big Sky) dominated time of possession for nearly 38 minutes, but it was NAU putting together two long drives resulting in scores in the first half that gave the Lumberjacks all they needed.
NAU (3-5, 2-3 Big Sky) opened the game with a 19-play, 71-yard drive that ended in a 27-yard Collin Robbins field goal to gave the Jacks an early 3-0 lead. Two possessions later they were at it again, going on a 15-play, 76-yard tour that ended in a 6-yard Elijah Taylor touchdown run.
A Sean Hayman interception with 56 seconds left in the half gave NAU another opportunity, this time starting at starting ISU's 23-yard line.
After a Martinez pass to Hendrix Johnson for 10 yards to the ISU 7-yard line, and two Draycen Hall runs for a combined six yards, Martinez finished off the drive with a sneak for the score and a 17-10 halftime lead.
Martinez connected with Isaiah Gerena for a 1-yard score in the third quarter to complete NAU's scoring.
Martinez finished 23 of 37 for 172 yards with a touchdown and interception. Johnson grabbed 7 catches for 50 yards.
NAU enters its bye week before hosting Big Sky leader Montana State (7-1, 5-0 Big Sky) at 1 p.m. Nov. 5, the school's homecoming weekend.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NAU football enjoys big second quarter, holds off Idaho State for road win
