NAU loses QB Cookus, Big Sky opener to Eastern Washington
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Gage Gubrud threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and surpassed 400 yards of total offense for the fourth time in four starts to lead Eastern Washington to a 50-35 win over Northern Arizona on Saturday night.
Gubrud completed 35 of 56 passes for 392 yards and ran for 95 yards, scoring on a 21-yard run with 8:53 left that put the Eagles (3-1, 1-0 Big Sky Conference) up 50-28.
Antoine Custer and Tamarick Pierce both had two rushing touchdowns for EWU and Shaq Hill and Nic Sblendorio had the receiving touchdowns.
"This was a tough loss for us," NAU coach Jerome Souers said. "A conference game that starts that way with that much importance and significance is always difficult. Looking back at the game, they created some situations that were tough for us to manage. We came out fired up and ready to play, we just made too many small and mental mistakes that hurt us."
Eastern's All-American wide receiver Cooper Kupp returned after missing 1 games with a shoulder injury and had 11 catches for 111 yards, his 25th 100-yard game of his 42-game career. Kendrick Bourne had six receptions for 100 yards.
Case Cookus threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns for the Lumberjacks (1-3, 0-1) but left the game with an injured shoulder in the second half.
EWU took a 22-21 lead when Roldan Alcobendas kicked a 43-yard field goal with 23 seconds left in the first half. The Eagles then scored on their first two drives of the second half to take command.
