No. 21 NAU Secures Playoff Spot! Discover Their First-Round FCS Opponent

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks have clinched a spot in the FCS Playoffs for the first time in seven years, earning recognition as the No. 21 team in the nation.

With an 8-4 record overall and a 6-4 mark in the Big Sky Conference, the Lumberjacks impressed the selection committee by finishing their regular season with five consecutive victories.

NAU has been awarded a travel matchup against No. 15 seed Abilene Christian in Abilene, Texas. The game is scheduled for Saturday, November 30, at 1 p.m. Arizona time, and will be streamed live on ESPN+

A potential upset against Abilene Christian could lead to a challenging second-round clash with No. 2 North Dakota State.

This marks NAU’s seventh appearance in the playoffs, with their only advancement past the first round occurring in 2003. The Lumberjacks last participated in the playoffs in 2017, a season that ended with a 41-10 loss to San Diego.

Notably, this will be just the second encounter between NAU and Abilene Christian. Their previous matchup took place on September 6, 2014, where the Lumberjacks secured a 27-21 victory.

The FCS national champion will be crowned on January 6, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. South Dakota State, now holding the No. 3 seed, is the reigning two-time national champion.

The complete FCS Playoff bracket is available for fans to view, showcasing the road ahead for NAU and other teams competing for the championship.