SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — In a compelling matchup on Saturday night, Northern Arizona showcased a strong performance, defeating Cal Poly with a score of 31-14. Seth Cromwell was a key player for the Lumberjacks, accumulating 132 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns, which significantly contributed to the team’s victory.
Northern Arizona (6-4, 4-2 Big Sky Conference) jumped out to an early lead, with Cromwell making impactful contributions right off the bat. He opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run, setting the tone for the game. This play was made possible after Zach Lewis intercepted a pass from Cal Poly quarterback Jackson Akins, allowing Northern Arizona to take possession at the 17-yard line. Cromwell followed up with a remarkable 27-yard touchdown run, propelling the Lumberjacks to a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
As the game progressed, Ty Pennington connected on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tay Lanier, further extending their lead. Alongside Samuel Hunsaker’s successful 47-yard field goal, this put Northern Arizona ahead 24-7 by halftime. The dominant performance continued into the fourth quarter, during which Cromwell capped off a 10-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, sealing the game for the Lumberjacks.
Pennington had a solid outing, completing 20 of 27 passes for a total of 184 yards. Cromwell’s contributions came on 15 carries, showcasing his effectiveness on the ground.
On the other side, Cal Poly’s Akins attempted to rally the team, completing 32 out of 41 passes for 281 yards, managing to throw one touchdown and two interceptions. The highlight of Akins’ performance was a connection with Giancarlo Woods for a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter, while Zion Hall added a 4-yard touchdown run in the last quarter, showcased by a single score.
Woods proved to be a reliable target for Akins, finishing the game with eight receptions totaling 112 yards. Despite the efforts from Cal Poly, which stands at 2-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play, they were unable to overcome the deficit.