NAU announces 2016 Football Schedule

[dbackjon]

OOC -
At Arizona State
At Western Illinois
Home against New Mexico Highlands

Conference
Home:
EWU, Montana, Idaho State, Southern Utah

Away:
Northern Colorado
Weber State
North Dakota
Montana State

[dbackjon]

2016 NAU Football Schedule

Sept. 3 at Arizona State

Sept. 10 at Western Illinois

Sept. 17 vs. New Mexico Highlands

Sept. 24 vs. Eastern Washington (Family Weekend)

Oct. 1 at Northern Colorado

Oct. 8 at Montana State

Oct. 15 vs. Idaho State (Homecoming)

Oct. 22 vs. Montana

Oct. 29 BYE

Nov. 5 at Weber State

Nov. 12 at North Dakota

Nov. 19 vs. Southern Utah

[dbackjon]

Not a single game against a California team - I don't like the Big Sky scheduling model - really needs some work.

[SDHornet]

Not a single game against a California team - I don't like the Big Sky scheduling model - really needs some work.

Not good for recruiting. Good looking schedule otherwise.

[dbackjon]

Not a single game against a California team - I don't like the Big Sky scheduling model - really needs some work.

Not good for recruiting. Good looking schedule otherwise.

Yes, we like the California exposure.


The schedule does set up nicer this year.

The top 6 non-NAU BSC teams last year (all the teams that finished with a winning record in conference), we have:

Southern Utah - HOME
Portland State - Do Not Play
Montana - HOME
North Dakota - AWAY
Eastern Washington - HOME
Weber State - AWAY


NAU is 14-1 at home over the last three years.

[kalm]

With our opening three you guys might be a must win for us.

[dbackjon]

Just noticed how the schedule sets up:

2 Away
2 Home
2 Away
2 Home
2 Away
1 Home (and hopefully another home after that )

[93henfan]

Avoiding Delaware I see.

[dbackjon]

Avoiding Delaware I see.

Yes - Delaware would have required us to move the campus to east of the Appalachians, so that was too much on a short notice.

[SDHornet]

Avoiding Delaware I see.

Yes - Delaware would have required us to move the campus to east of the Appalachians, so that was too much on a short notice.

[93henfan]

Avoiding Delaware I see.

Yes - Delaware would have required us to move the campus to east of the Appalachians, so that was too much on a short notice.

Delaware has played regular season games west of the Appalachians (Youngstown St 1979 off the top of my head). Has NAU played a regular season game east of the Appalachians (or even the Mississippi River)?

[dbackjon]

Yes - Delaware would have required us to move the campus to east of the Appalachians, so that was too much on a short notice.

Delaware has played regular season games west of the Appalachians (Youngstown St 1979 off the top of my head). Has NAU played a regular season game east of the Appalachians (or even the Mississippi River)?

Well, we are traveling to Western Illinois this year (see thread) - they are east of the Mississippi.

We played AT Appalachian State about 10 years ago.

I am sure there are more.

[mtjack]

Since 2002, NAU has traveled to the midwest once (U South Dakota), the east coast once (Appalachian State and the south 5 times (Stephen F. Austin twice, Abilene Christian once, Ole Miss once and Sam Houston once) for a non-conference game.

They've only had three home non-conference games with teams from the midwest, east or south in the same time frame (U South Dakota, U Northern Iowa and Sam Houston).

This tells me that other teams are willing to play at home but not go on the road for a return game.

It's frustrating to have the annual game vs. Fort Lewis, New Mexico Highlands or Western New Mexico that doesn't count towards the playoffs but I understand why it continues to occur. There are no regional teams willing to play non conference home and home series.

[clenz]

UNI has been to NAU relatively recently
Looked it up

At NAU in 04- UNI win 45-21
Home in 05 - UNI win 41-17

[kalm]

Since 2002, NAU has traveled to the midwest once (U South Dakota), the east coast once (Appalachian State and the south 5 times (Stephen F. Austin twice, Abilene Christian once, Ole Miss once and Sam Houston once) for a non-conference game.

They've only had three home non-conference games with teams from the midwest, east or south in the same time frame (U South Dakota, U Northern Iowa and Sam Houston).

This tells me that other teams are willing to play at home but not go on the road for a return game.

It's frustrating to have the annual game vs. Fort Lewis, New Mexico Highlands or Western New Mexico that doesn't count towards the playoffs but I understand why it continues to occur. There are no regional teams willing to play non conference home and home series.

Scheduling all DI is a constant criticism on the Redzone. There are some Eastern fans who would much prefer a DII game versus the recent trend of home and homes with SHSU, UNI, and now NDSU. The problem is one less home game (almost always in September) and a chance to start in a hole that's tough to dig out of. A money game, one quality FCS opponent, and a DII to rest starters, avoid injuries, and build depth is desired.

The situation is a bit unique though in that we don't have the gate of a Montana or MSU to attract low level OOC FCS opponents.

[clenz]

MVFC has played 41 road games at Big Sky teams. Hosted 32

Leads the series 44-29

[SuperHornet]

Perfect Homecoming patsy.

Overall, a very nice schedule, though I don't like the continual two-on-the-road scenario AND I agree with Jon's dislike of no Cali teams on the schedule.

[JALMOND]

Portland State - Do Not Play

We haven't played you guys in so long I almost forgot you're still in the Big Sky.