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Northern Arizona Football Opens Season at Home Against Lincoln (CA)

NAU Hosts Lincoln (CA) for Home Opener

Game Details

* **Date:** Saturday, August 27, 2023 * **Time:** 6:00 PM MST * **Location:** Walkup Skydome, Flagstaff, AZ * **Tickets:** Available at NAUAthletics.com

The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks football team will kick off their 2023 season at home against Lincoln University (CA). The Lumberjacks are coming off a 5-6 season in 2022, while Lincoln finished 4-6 in the Northern California Athletic Conference.

The Lumberjacks are led by first-year head coach Chris Ball, who previously served as the defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa. Ball is known for his aggressive defensive style, and he will look to implement his system in Flagstaff.

The Lincoln Lions are led by head coach Chris Neal, who is entering his fifth season at the helm. Neal has led the Lions to two winning seasons in his tenure, including a 7-3 record in 2019.

The Lumberjacks will be looking to start the season on a strong note, and they will be favored to beat Lincoln in their home opener. The Lions will be a tough opponent, but the Lumberjacks should have the edge in talent and experience.

Tickets for the game are available at NAUAthletics.com. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid lines on game day.

Keys to the Game

* NAU's defense will need to be stout against a Lincoln offense that averaged over 30 points per game last season. * The Lumberjacks' offense will need to establish a consistent running game to take pressure off of quarterback RJ Martinez. * Special teams could also play a key role in the outcome of the game. The Lumberjacks have a strong kicker in Luis Aguilar, who was a First Team All-Big Sky selection in 2022.

Prediction

The Lumberjacks should be able to win this game if they can play to their potential. Lincoln is a solid team, but NAU has the home-field advantage and should be able to pull out a victory.

Prediction: NAU 27, Lincoln 17