While it isn't uncommon for a Division I-AA football team to open its season against a Division I-A opponent, starting off against two in a row is just a little unorthodox.
Regardless, the NAU football team's schedule pits it against ASU for the season opener tonight. The Lumberjacks will then face the Utah Utes the following week.
NAU coach Jerome Souers welcomes the challenge and is expecting his team to show up and compete hard.
"It's an exceptional challenge," Souers said. "To have two games of this magnitude, both against top-25 level teams, is pretty extraordinary."
NAU isn't the only lower-level school taking on the big boys. This trend is increasing because it gives the smaller schools a chance to get a big payday, similar to what their larger counterparts regularly get.
"It's not unusual for schools on our level to have one game to satisfy economic needs and help out with our budget," Souers said.
The last time the Sun Devils faced the Lumberjacks was in 2003, when the team was breaking in then-freshman quarterback Jason Murrietta.
The Sun Devils welcomed the Lumberjacks into Sun Devil Stadium and hammered them 34-14, giving the future star quarterback one of the few setbacks of his record-breaking freshman season, which included a share of the Big Sky Conference title and NAU's first-ever trip to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs.
But Murrietta's sophomore and junior seasons took a turn for the worst when he began suffering a series of nagging injuries.
He continued to play through them, and while still productive, he was never able to reclaim the magic of his first season.
"It's been discouraging to have that kind of success in his first year, then to be less productive when there are a number of reasons why," Souers said.
Now a senior, Murrietta is again the starter after battling it out for the position this spring. He will lead the offense onto the field this time with the most experienced supporting cast he has had since his freshman year.
Most of the experience is along the offensive line, which returns four starters and is anchored by sophomore center Kevin Meagher.
Meagher was forced into action earlier than planned last season after two injuries at his position. He ended up being the team's offensive newcomer of the year.
Junior wide receiver Alex Watson was the team's leading receiver last season, catching 50 passes for 566 yards and three touchdowns. Also in Murrietta's receiving corps is junior Kenny Mahone, a Mesa Community College transfer, and sophomore Skyler Moore.
The starting running back position was won by junior Josh Sayles but redshirt freshman Alex Henderson should also see some carries.
Defensively, the Lumberjacks will once again deploy their 3-3-5 formation against ASU, which showcases a fifth defensive back to assist in run coverage.
Souers said ASU's offense is very balanced and big-play oriented, which is difficult to face.
"We're obviously concerned with their ability to move the ball, running it, and with [quarterback] Rudy Carpenter's mobility, accuracy and ability to get the ball to big-play receivers," Souers said. "They are two-dimensional and that's the challenge we face this week."
The Sun Devils' passing attack will have to find a way to get around junior cornerback K.J. Gerard.
The two-year letterman tied for the Big Sky Conference's lead in interceptions last season with four. He is also the team's leading returning tackler, notching 52 unassisted tackles last season, which was second in the conference.
University of Houston transfer junior Ricky Wilson will start at the other corner, in addition to returning punts and kickoffs.
The defensive line returns two starters in junior defensive end Blair Boynton and senior defensive tackle Randy Kirschman, while junior defensive end Drew Hoffman is stepping in for the departed Jason Webb.
Souers said former ASU linebacker defensive end DeAndre Johnson will also see some time on the field at defensive end as his skills have improved fundamentally since transferring in 2003.
Replacing standout linebacker Bruce Branch will be sophomore Jared Fano, who contributed significantly in his freshman season as a backup. Senior linebackers D.J. Wade and Chris Hunsaker both return to the defense, although junior Joe Mitchell has replaced Hunsaker as the starter.
Reach the reporter at: devin.hicks@asu.edu.
