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(UND Athletics) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Despite a scoreless third quarter, there were plenty of fireworks in the fourth quarter with North Dakota (2-1) escaping Northern Arizona (1-2) with a 27-24 win on Saturday afternoon.

The Lumberjacks found the end zone to take a 24-20 lead with 1:42 remaining and the Fighting Hawks went to work from their own 25. Schuster started with four consecutive pass completions to get UND down to the NAU 23. It was the next play that was the difference when Tommy Schuster found Jack Wright in the end zone for the go-ahead score. Brady Stevens connected on the extra point to give the Hawks a 24-20 advantage. On the final drive, Schuster was a perfect 5-for-5 passing.

NAU got the ball back with 53 seconds remaining and started at its own 25 yard-line. The Lumberjacks marched all the way down to the 50 with one play remaining with three seconds left. After facing pressure, R.J. Martinez found a receiver at the UND 39, but he immediately went down when attempting to pitch the ball to allow the Hawks to leave with the 24-20 victory.

Schuster was efficient once again, going 21-of-32 through the air for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Bo Belquist was his favorite target with 10 receptions for 56 yards, including a touchdown that put UND up 20-17 with just under five minutes left. Garett Maag hauled in five receptions for 47 yards.

Tyler Hoosman had the second 100-yard rushing game of his career, gaining 102 yards on the ground on 12 carries for 8.5 yards per carry.

Defensively, UND was led by Kadon Kauppinen with nine tackles and a half a tackle-for-loss. Marcus Vaughn-Jones, Caden White, Ted Mullin and Devon Krzanowski were all next with seven tackles apiece. C.J. Siegel made the Lumberjacks pay for throwing his way, taking a 50-yard interception to the house early in the second half.

Northern Arizona struck first, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown run from Kevin Daniels to cap a 7-play, 72-yard drive midway through the first quarter. North Dakota responded in the early seconds of the second quarter, connecting on a 38-yard field goal from Stevens to trim the deficit to 7-3.

On the next drive, North Dakota marched down the field but had to settle for a 22-yard Stevens field goal to bring the score to 7-6. A few plays later, Siegel picked off Martinez and took it to the house for a 50-yard pick six to put UND up 13-7 with 9:33 left before the half. Neither team would find the end zone again until the Lumberjacks scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left before intermission to reclaim the 14-13 lead.

Neither team would score in the third quarter, but the Lumberjacks would extend their lead to 17-13 with 13:40 left in the game when Collin Robbins made a 42-yard field goal. The Fighting Hawks reclaimed the lead at 20-17 after an amazing effort from Bo Belquist to find the end zone on an eight-yard reception, not giving up on the play and leapfrogging a defender to score.

Last weekend North Dakota climbed into the national rankings for the first time this season following a big win over UNI. This week they were able to keep that momentum and prove their worthiness of the Top 25 by dispatching Northern Arizona 27-24 on Saturday afternoon.

Things got off to a tough start for NAU. After an 11-play drive that got well within UND territory, Lumberjacks kicker Collin Robbins missed his 42-yard field goal try, a miss that proved to be very costly down the line.

Northern Arizona’s defense forced a punt, though, and with their second chance the offense was able to put points on the board. Quarterback RJ Martinez found Coleman Owens for a 30-yard touchdown strike. NAU led 7-0.

The Hawks responded with a field goal on the following possession. UND quarterback Tommy Schuster orchestrated a 14-play drive that was capped with Brady Stevens 38-yard field goal. Stevens would eventually cut the Lumberjacks lead to just one later in the quarter with another field goal.

It was a mistake by the NAU offense that gave North Dakota its first lead of the day. Martinez has an errant pass intercepted by C.J. Stiegel. Stiegel wove his way through NAU’s offensive unit and returned the pick 27 yards for a touchdown to put the Hawks on top 13-7.

The Lumberjacks didn’t back down despite another untimely missed field goal in the second quarter. Martinez connected with Owens again just before halftime for the pair’s second touchdown. At the break, NAU held a slim 14-13 advantage.

Both defenses came out of the break amped up. Punt after punt kept the difference just one point for the entirety of the third frame. Finally, though, Northern Arizona broke the drought and tacked on a field goal. Robbins hit on the 42-yard try this time to extend the lead to four as the fourth quarter began.

Schuster and the Hawks were able to regain the lead late when Bo Belquist hauled in an eight-yard score. Now up 20-17, it was up to UND’s defense to preserve the lead.

Instead, though, Martinez led another scoring drive; an 11-play march that ended with a spectacular touchdown catch by Owens. The duo had linked up for three scores on the afternoon and, with less than two minutes to play, it seemed as though NAU would nab their second win of the season.

UND had other plans though. Schuster just needed 49 seconds to snatch the lead back. A pretty hook-and-ladder play got the Hawks onto the Northern Arizona side of the field before a beautifully-executed flea flicker sealed the deal. Schuster hit Jack Wright in the end zone for a 23-yard dart.

The Lumberjacks were unable to do anything with their limited time remaining and UND held on for the narrow 27-24 win.

The Hawks played clean ball and didn’t turn the ball over at all. Schuster completed 21 of his 32 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Tyler Hoosman eclipsed the 100-yard mark on 12 carries.

Northern Arizona, meanwhile, was haunted by missed opportunities. The two missed field goals proved to be the difference, as did Martinez’s pick six. NAU’s defense did look stout, holding UND to just 3-of-11 on third down. Still, it wasn’t enough and now the Lumberjacks fall to 1-2.

North Dakota will face Southern Illinois next weekend while Northern Arizona will begin Big Sky play against Idaho.

Here is the Arizona Interscholastic Association's Week 5 high school football schedule and scores. Richard Obert's picks are capitalized. All games are at 7 p.m., unless noted. Scors will be updated when they become available:

6A Conference

Thursday

Chandler, 35, Scottsdale Notre Dame, 0

Anthem Boulder Creek, 34, Surprise Shadow Ridge, 27

Friday

Mesa Westwood at AMERICAN LEADERSHIP GILBERT NORTH

Mesa Dobson at LAVEEN BETTY FAIRFAX

YUMA GILA RIDGE at Yuma Cibola

PEORIA CENTENNIAL at Phoenix Desert Vista

GOODYEAR DESERT EDGE at Gilbert Highland

LAVEEN CESAR CHAVEZ at Mesa

SCOTTSDALE CHAPARRAL at Phoenix Mountain Pointe

CHANDLER HAMILTON at Glendale Mountain Ridge

SURPRISE VALLEY VISTA at Phoenix North

Tempe Corona del Sol at GILBERT PERRY

QUEEN CREEK at Phoenix Pinnacle

Mesa Desert Ridge at MESA RED MOUNTAIN

Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor at SCOTTSDALE SAGUARO

CHANDLER BASHA at Tucson Salpointe Catholic

WADDELL CANYON VIEW at Tolleson

PEORIA LIBERTY at Valor Christian (Colorado)

Phoenix Trevor Brown at AVONDALE WEST POINT

PHOENIX NORTH CANYON at Avondale Westview

QUEEN CREEK CASTEEL at Gilbert Williams Field

5A Conference

Thursday

Paradise Valley, 40, Phoenix Camelback, 30

Scottsdale Desert Mountain, 34, Mesa Mountain View, 29

Friday

Phoenix South Mountain at AMERICAN LEADERSHIP QUEEN CREEK

Tucson Rincon University at PHOENIX ALHAMBRA

Gilbert Mesquite at GLENDALE CACTUS

Glendale Apollo at GILBERT CAMPO VERDE

CASA GRANDE at Phoenix Central

Douglas at TUCSON CHOLLA

GOODYEAR MILLENNIUM at Vail Cienega

BUCKEYE YOUNGKER at Glendale Copper Canyon

Tempe McClintock at GILBERT

Cave Creek Cactus Shadows at SCOTTSDALE HORIZON

PEORIA SUNRISE MOUNTAIN at Glendale Ironwood

Casa Grande Vista Grande at ORO VALLEY IRONWOOD RIDGE

SIERRA VISTA BUENA at Nogales

Glendale Raymond S Kellis at PEORIA

Phoenix Barry Goldwater at CHANDLER SETON CATHOLIC

Maricopa at MESA SKYLINE

GILBERT HIGLEY at Phoenix Sunnyslope

Avondale Agua Fria at BUCKEYE VERRADO

Avondale La Joya at SURPRISE WILLOW CANYON

4A Conference

Thursday

Phoenix St. Mary's, 7, Phoenix Brophy Prep, 35

Tucson Mica Mountain, 0, Poston Butte, 40

Friday

PHOENIX THUNDERBIRD at Tucson Amphitheater

FLAGSTAFF COCONINO at Phoenix Arcadia

Sahuarita Walden Grove at CHANDLER ARIZONA COLLEGE PREP

Tucson Desert View at ORO VALLEY CANYON DEL ORO

APACHE JUNCTION at San Tan Valley Combs

TEMPE MARCOS DE NIZA at Glendale Deer Valley

PHOENIX SIERRA LINDA at Tucson Empire

RIO RICO at Flagstaff, at Walkup Skydome

YUMA CATHOLIC at Lake Havasu

Goodyear Estrella Foothills at KINGMAN LEE WILLIAMS

Glendale Independence at COTTONWOOD MINGUS

Phoenix Washington at PHOENIX MOON VALLEY

Glendale at SNOWFLAKE

Saturday

Buckeye at PRESCOTT VALLEY BRADSHAW MOUNTAIN, 5 p.m.

3A Conference

Thursday

Wickenburg, 13, Parker, 21

Ganado, 6, Eagar Round Valley, 43

Friday

Kayenta Monument Valley at PAGE, 6 p.m.

Benson at TUCSON PUSCH RIDGE, 6 p.m.

GILBERT CHRISTIAN at American Leadership Ironwood

PHOENIX SHADOW MOUNTAIN at American Leadership West Foothills

Fountain Hills at PHOENIX ARIZONA LUTHERAN

SURPRISE PARADISE HONORS at Phoenix Bourgade Catholic

MOHAVE VALLEY RIVER VALLEY at Chino Valley

FLORENCE at Coolidge

ODYSSEY INSTITUTE at El Mirage Dysart

Yuma at KINGMAN

TUCSON SABINO at Tucson Palo Verde

Tempe at PAYSON

THATCHER at Safford

MESA EASTMARK at Gilbert San Tan Foothills

Winslow at SHOW LOW

Phoenix Christian at CHANDLER VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Saturday

LAKESIDE BLUE RIDGE at Fort Defiance Window Rock

2A Conference

Thursday

Tucson Catalina, 0, Kingman Academy, 54

Friday

MIAMI at Scottsdale Coronado

WHITERIVER ALCHESAY at Globe

Red Mesa at HOLBROOK

TUBA CITY at Hopi

GLENDALE PREP at Madison Highland, at Phoenix Christian

PHOENIX NORTH POINTE at Many Farms

WILLCOX at Morenci

HIGHLAND PREP at Pinon

SANDERS VALLEY at San Carlos

ARETE PREP at San Pasqual

Wellton Antelope at ELOY SANTA CRUZ

PIMA at Scottsdale Christian

Phoenix NFL Yet at SCOTTSDALE PREP

Chandler Prep at MARICOPA SEQUOIA PATHWAY

TOMBSTONE at Avondale St. John Paul II

Chinle at ST. JOHNS

GILBERT SAN TAN CHARTER at Tucson Tanque Verde

Phoenix Valley Lutheran at TONOPAH VALLEY

CAMP VERDE at Trivium Prep

BISBEE at Phoenix Veritas Prep

1A Conference

Friday

JOSEPH CITY at Colorado City El Capitan/Centennial Academy

Mohave Accelerated at BAGDAD

Anthem Prep at DESERT HEIGHTS PREP

TEMPE PREP at Fort Thomas

Sells Baboquivari at KEARNY RAY

HEBER MOGOLLON at St. David

Chandler Lincoln Prep at SUPERIOR

SAN MANUEL at Elfrida Valley Union

Saturday

WILLIAMS at Mayer, 4 p.m.

WINKELMAN HAYDEN at Scottsdale Cicero Prep, 5 p.m.

Last week: 89-23 (.794)

Debuts don’t go much better than Chase Brown’s did Friday.

The Flagstaff freshman quarterback, making his first ever start on the varsity squad, threw for six touchdown passes to set a school record, and the Eagles (1-2, 0-0 Grand Canyon) dominated the Rio Rico Hawks, 59-12, at the Walkup Skydome to break an eight-game losing streak dating back to the 2021 season.

Final: Flagstaff football defeats Rio Rico 59-12.Eagles freshman QB breaks a team record with 6 TD passes.Jake Weidinger and Holden Sena both also had three scores, respectively

— Eric Newman (@enewmanwrites) September 17, 2022

“It feels unreal, honestly. I was just going in here trying to give the team the best chance to win possible. It’s great to break the record, but I’m just happy we won,” Brown said.

Was Brown nervous for his first game as the starter?

“Yeah, very,” he said. “But as soon as I got out here, the guys rallied around me and showed me that they had trust and confidence in me, and that just built my confidence.”

Brown’s performance was the highlight of Flagstaff’s best scoring output since a 62-0 win over Cortez in 2017. The Eagles got three receiving touchdowns from senior Jake Weidinger and two from senior Holden Sena.

Sena also returned a fumble recovery for a score, totaling three total touchdowns on the night.

The trio’s chemistry hadn’t been shown on a field until Friday, but they knew something special was possible.

“Me and Chase and Holden have been working since last spring,” Weidinger said. "We’ve just been running goal-line fades, everything we can. So I’m not surprised we were all able to find each other."

Weidinger’s effort also felt even more meaningful to him than a career-best game might have otherwise. In Flagstaff's 14-12 loss last week at Winslow, Weidinger was out due to an ejection in the season opener.

Having to experience the loss from the sideline made him extra motivated to play well against Rio Rico, which is now 1-1.

“That was a big motivation for me. It was tough to watch our team lose, and I had to sit and just look at it happening. So I was excited to be able to play today,” he said.

The Eagles were opportunistic on defense, bending but not breaking. In the first half of the game between the two 4A Conference teams, Rio Rico moved the ball into Flagstaff’s territory on each of its five drives, and the Eagles allowed two touchdowns to running back Nathan Villegas.

However, the Eagles forced two turnovers on downs and a fumble recovery, keeping the score low despite giving up chunk plays.

Flagstaff recovered another fumble and Weidinger had an interception in the second half as the Eagles defense held the Hawks scoreless through two quarters.

“They were huge because their offense was able to put some yards together, put some plays together and they had great drives,” Eagles coach Sean Manning said of the turnovers. “We had to stop that, and I think we just sort of wore them down a little bit.”

Rio Rico started the game at 7,000 feet altitude strong, with Villegas’s first touchdown giving the Hawks a 6-0 lead with 10:19 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles responded quickly. Brown, in his first snap on offense, saw Weidinger open on the right sideline. He threw a pass that fell incomplete, but the Rio Rico defense was called for pass interference, giving the Eagles a confidence boost for the new quarterback. A few plays later, Brown hit Weidinger for the first of the pair’s three first-half touchdown passes.

The ensuing extra point gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead, which would only continue to increase as time wore on.

Two drives later, Brown hit Weidinger for a 77-yard touchdown -- again down the right side.

Flagstaff saw something special happening offensively. The touchdowns kept coming.

Brown hit Sena for the record-tying fifth score with 4:58 left in the third quarter. The Eagles were up 43-12 at that point, and had all but secured the victory. There was just one more thing left to accomplish.

Flagstaff QB Chase Brown has tied the team’s record for TD passes (5) after hitting Holden Sena here.Brown is a freshman starting in his first game.Flagstaff leads Rio Rico 43-12 4:58 3Q pic.twitter.com/BFzpXqMHhL

— Eric Newman (@enewmanwrites) September 17, 2022

Moments later, with 11:54 left in the game, Brown lobbed a pass to junior Tyler Magill, who caught the ball for the touchdown that would forever put the freshman quarterback in the school’s record book.

“It felt great, like I was on top of the world. As soon as I let it go, I knew Tyler was going to catch it. And when I looked at the sideline I saw everybody going crazy,” Brown said.

Sophomore running back Jadon Wetzel scored the final touchdown of the game on a long run, finishing off a productive offensive night.

In the huddle after the game, Brown praised his teammates for their efforts in helping him succeed.

Brown may never have this exact type of game again, but Manning said he expects the new starter to have an impact throughout the rest of his varsity career, especially if the rest of the team plays like it did Friday.

“I think the kid’s going to be something special. By the time he’s a junior, I’m thinking he might be setting some records and looking at region and maybe even state accolades,” Manning said. “He definitely needs to thank his line -- which he did. He said he loved them all. That group helped him get to where he was today. They knew they had to protect him and give him the confidence in game one to get him rolling in game one, and they stepped up.”

Brown also admitted he was not perfect in the game. Late in the first half, he threw a pass into the turf that was called for intentional grounding. The drive ended with a touchdown pass, but his error nearly cost the Eagles points. In the second half he did not see a Rio Rico defensive lineman coming, and he was sacked and fumbled the ball to the Hawks defense.

There was mostly positives, especially in a big-time victory, but Brown acknowledged he still has plenty of room to grow.

“It definitely tells me that I’ve got to keep learning, I’ve got to keep improving. I have to learn from some mistakes, but the win is what means the most,” he said.

Flagstaff and Brown will visit 4A Marcos de Niza in Tempe next Friday.

Temperatures will slowly be falling over the next few weeks and for many Arizonans the dip in temperatures means it's time to travel to high country to see the vivid fall foliage of aspens, oaks and maples displaying seasonal golden and burgundy leaves.

But will this year's fall colors be worth the drive?

The Arizona Republic spoke to Patrick Moore, a silviculturist for the Forest Service who is based in Flagstaff to find out more.

Moore describes himself as an applied forest ecologist. Some of his duties include understanding how the forest works, managing programs that focus on forest landscape restoration, resource protection and stewardship.

Here's what he had to say about this year's autumnal forecast.

Why do leaves change colors in the fall?

According to Moore there are three main factors that cause the leaves to change colors in the fall: leaf pigmentation, length of daylight and weather.

Pigments are the chemicals that are found inside each leaf. In the summer months, leaves are green because of chlorophyll, the pigment that allows plants to make food from carbon dioxide and water. But production of chlorophyll isn’t the same year round. When days become shorter in the fall months and the amount of sunlight decreases chlorophyll production also decreases, which causes leaves to lose that green color.

“Eventually, as the season goes on and it starts to get cooler and the day starts to get shorter, leaves don't produce as much chlorophyll as they start breaking down” Moore said.

“In Aspen trees for example, the chemicals break down in the leaf, and then the tree actually gets the opportunity to reabsorb some of those nutrients, like phosphorus or nitrogen. And what's left is going to be those bright colors that we see.”

When is the best time to see fall colors in Arizona?

While Moore says it will be tough to pin down how vibrant the colors of the leaves will be this year, indicators like warm summer days with high moisture due to a successful monsoon season indicates an above average fall color season for 2022.

Going into the fall months, Moore says that the perfect weather conditions for a successful fall color display are going to be warm sunny days and cool, crisp nights. According to Moore, freezing temperatures are not ideal for leaves.

“The defenses on those leaves really aren't designed to freeze at night,” Moore said. “So if they do freeze we're going to miss out on the fall colors and the leaves will end up turning brown. But if we can have those warm, sunny fall days with cool nights, but not freezing, that's kind of the perfect storm for what we are looking for.”

Moore predicts fall colors to be on full display somewhere between Oct. 10 and Oct 17th.

Where to see Arizona's fall colors

Moore recommends the following places to see Arizona's fall colors:

More:Where to see Arizona's best leaves, plus things to do along the way

There's also an app for that

Going to Flagstaff and want updates on when and where to see the leaves? Check the Flagstaff Visitor Center's LEAF-ometer page.

The LEAF-ometer website (flagstaffarizona.org/plan-your-trip/leafometer) can help you keep track of the changing fall colors around Flagstaff throughout autumn, from the San Francisco Peaks through Oak Creek Canyon.​

Desert Bar opens in October:It will never be done and that's how the owner likes it

You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.

Support local journalism like this story by subscribing today.

North Dakota’s touchdown with 53 seconds left to play capped a 27-24 comeback win over Northern Arizona football (1-2) in the Walkup Skydome on Saturday.

Northern Arizona out-gained the Hawks by 130 yards -- 448 to 318 -- but two missed field goals, an interception returned for a touchdown and the late score were enough for North Dakota to steal the victory.

“We made too many mistakes to beat a team like that,” Lumberjacks coach Chris Ball said.

Down four after a Lumberjacks touchdown with 1:42 remaining, the Hawks played their best offensive drive of the game, moving the ball down the field with consecutive completed passes. On North Dakota’s final offensive play, quarterback Tommy Schuster hit Jack Wright on a 23-yard flea flicker for the go-ahead score.

Northern Arizona’s pass defense had played well the whole way, pressuring Schuster and making it difficult to move the ball until the final drive. The touchdown was one of the mistakes Ball harped on.

“We’ve got to look at it and see what happened,” Ball said of the final play. “I think it was probably a missed assignment somewhere on the reverse pass. Probably somebody turned somebody loose.”

North Dakota’s drive dampened the late-game heroics from Northern Arizona’s offense.

Down 20-17, the Lumberjacks put together its own late go-ahead score. Quarterback RJ Martinez, who finished with 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns, hit receiver Draycen Hall for a first down, rushed for another, and drew a penalty to get into the red zone.

The Lumberjacks finished the drive with a 12-yard touchdown reception by receiver Coleman Owen, who caught nine passes for 136 yards and a pair of scores, to take the lead.

“RJ checked the call at the line and he did a great job trusting me. And he put the ball where I could make a play on it,” he said.

Northern Arizona’s attempt at a comeback in the final seconds fell short, as a pass from Martinez went low to receiver Jamal Glaspie. Glaspie caught the ball and was going to lateral it to keep the play alive, but caught the ball so low that his knee hit the ground and time expired.

From the beginning, the Lumberjacks had little problem moving the ball. They started the game with a long drive off the opening kick, but missed a field goal attempt.

Later, running back Kevin Daniels scored the first touchdown of the game to open the scoring. He finished with a team-high 54 yards and a touchdown, but left the game early with an apparent injury. Ball could not comment on the starting rusher’s status.

Northern Arizona led 14-13 at halftime, and the score stayed the same throughout the third quarter as both teams traded punts. But North Dakota scored its two lone offensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including the final one that sealed the victory.

Neither Ball nor Owen could hide the pain in their voices following the game. However, the Lumberjacks are moving forward, looking at their Big Sky Conference opener against Idaho on Sept. 24.

“All our goals are still accomplishable. We can still be Big Sky champs, still get to the playoffs and everything else. But this one hurts, especially the way it ended up at the end,” Ball said.

“I think these ones that hurt the most are the ones you learn the most from also,” Owen added.

Kickoff between the Lumberjacks and Vandals is set for Sept. 24 at the Walkup Skydome.

The Lobos defeated the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks 3-1, but the final score doesn’t reflect how competitive of a game it was: three of the four sets came down to the wire, but UNM still came out on top with a total of 17 ties and seven lead changes throughout the match.

Outside hitter Kaitlynn Biassou had 26 points, leading UNM in scoring. Anilee Sher led the Lobos in assists with 44 on the night. Freshman Lea Zurlinden was recently awarded with the conference’s Freshman of the Week award; she backed it up by scoring 10 points and having a kill percentage of .667.

The Lumberjacks served into the net to start the match, giving UNM immediate control of the ball. UNM was up 9-3 and a Zurlinden kill forced the Lumberjacks to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, Zurlinden scored back-to-back points to put the Lobos up 12-4.

NAU only gained possession after a Kali Wolf serving error following 4 straight points. At set point, NAU was able to go on a 3-0 run but UNM still controlled the set 25-11, taking the lead in the match 1-0.

UNM started with the serve for the second set and went on a 3-0 run with Wolf serving. NAU’s Neche Newton and Savannah Hasson kept the set competitive with a block. Avital Jaloba maintained the UNM lead with a dominante spike. Going into the media time out, UNM was up 15-10.

The Lobos lost their momentum, though, and allowed the Lumberbacks to go on a 5-2 run and later tie the game 21-21 behind a Jacobsen spike. UNM called a timeout and Wolf immediately scored at set point. Jaloba spiked to win the close set 25-23, putting UNM up 2-0.

NAU scored the first point of the third set. Madison Blanco was subbed in to serve when the game was 2-2. With Sher on the serve, the Lobos were able to take the lead 6-5, but NAU answered right back with a score from Kacee Moore.

Ariana Jamerson served an ace for the Lobo lead and caused a 3-0 run. NAU called a timeout with the score at 13-10. UNM continued the run with another Jamerson ace. A Wolf kill put the Lobos up by 3, but the Lumberjacks scored on the next serve. UNM was up just 18-16.

An ace from NAU’s Jordan Cherniss tied the game and, with Cherniss still on the serve, NAU was able to go on a run. UNM called a timeout down 20-18. Out of the timeout, Biassou scored to cut into the NAU lead. Still, NAU was able to stay in front, forcing UNM to take another timeout while down 23-20. UNM was able to score again out of the timeout with a Jaloba ace and, with Biassou serving an ace, NAU took a timeout up 23-22. NAU won their first set 25-23, but they were still down in the match 2-1.

The fourth set started with NAU scoring the first 2 points. UNM’s Alena Molden serving was able to take the lead and go on a run, but NAU battled back to take the lead with Newton tapping it over the net. The Lobos were able to keep the game close and, with Sher serving for UNM, came back within 1 point. NAU then called a timeout up 11-10.

Biassou tied the game 14-14, but NAU answered right back to claim the lead and go on a 4-2 run. UNM called a timeout down 21-18 and again scored right out of the timeout. UNM fought back to tie the game 23-23 with a Jaloba kill. NAU called a timeout, but the Lobos scored to set up match point and won the set 25-23, winning the match 3-1.

Head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said the team enjoys the pressure of a tough match and welcomes the challenge ahead of their interconference play.

“We love it. This is a team that wants to run towards that pressure,” Newman-Gonchar said.

The Lobos are now 8-1 on the season. The Lumberjacks were the last team UNM faced before starting interconference play. They next play in Albuquerque against Wyoming on Sept. 29.

Thomas Bulger is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @thomasbulger10

Labor Day weekend is right around the corner. If you are looking to travel out of town with family or friends to do some sightseeing, shopping or outdoor activities, there are plenty of events around Arizona that warrant a day trip or weekend getaway.

From a rodeo in Sonoita to a county fair with carnival rides and livestock exhibitions in Flagstaff to a huge gem and fossil show in Tucson, there’s plenty to choose from for your long weekend.

Here are five of the best Labor Day weekend 2022 events labor day events around the state.

Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo

In for a thrilling weekend? The annual Sonoita Labor Day Rodeo takes place at the Sonoita Fairgrounds about 50 miles south of Tucson. The rodeo has over 700 entries yearly in all age groups. Events include bull riding, calf roping, wild cow milking, barrel racing and steer wrestling. There also will be food and other vendors, live music, steak fry and dancing.

Details: Saturday-Monday, Sept. 3-5. Gates open at 10 a.m. Live music starts at 7 p.m. Sonoita Fairgrounds, 3142 State Route 83. $15, $10 for ages 6-12, free for age 5 and younger. http://www.sonoitafairgrounds.com/labor-day.

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Flagstaff: Coconino County Fair

For an animal-filled weekend of family fun, visit the the Coconino County Fair on Labor Day weekend. The four-day event boasts livestock shows and auctions, carnival rides, activities for all ages and over 100 food and other vendors.

There will be musical acts on the main stage and performances throughout the grounds. Other highlights include magic shows, balloon artists, a cattle show and "Life in the Beehive," where fair goers can learn about bees and their importance to the environment and see a beehive.

Details: Sept. 2-5. 10 a.m-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday. Fort Tuthill County Park, 2446 Fort Tuthill Loop, Flagstaff. $8, $5 for age 65 and older and ages 6-12, free for age 5 and younger. https://www.coconinocountyfair.com.

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Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase

Beadmakers, metalworkers, clay and fiber artists and many other artisans and vendors will gather in locations throughout Tucson for four days of demonstrations and presentations.

There will be over 700 booths and displays where you can browse gemstones, fossils and meteorites. Feeling creative? Choose from over 400 workshops in beadmaking, jewelry design and more.

Details: Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 1-4. Shows open between 8 and 10 a.m. and close between 6 and 8 p.m. For locations and other information, go to https://www.visittucson.org/events.

Prescott Faire on the Square

At the Prescott Faire on the Square Arts and Crafts Show, visitors can enjoy all-day shopping for art, jewelry and more, plus food and live entertainment. This three-day event takes place under the shady trees on the grassy lawn of Courthouse Plaza downtown.

Details: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Sept 5. 120 S. Cortez St., Prescott. Free. https://www.prescott.org.

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Prescott Cocktail Tour

Learn about Prescott's famous Whiskey Row and historic Yavapai County Courthouse on this guided walking tour through saloons, breweries, pubs, meaderies, wine bars and speakeasies.

This spirited history lesson departs from the gazebo at Courthouse Plaza.

Details: 5-7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from March through October. 120 S. Cortez St., Prescott. $20 per person. Drinks and tips are extra. https://prescottcocktailtour.com.

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You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.

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Growing up in a big city, you’re not often beckoned to look up into the night sky. Polluted with light, the abundant sea of black does nothing for the human eye when hidden away. This couldn’t be more different in Flagstaff. Flagstaff was recognized as the first-ever dark sky city in October 2001 – and since then, it has been leading the way for dark sky cities around the nation. Annually, Flagstaff Dark Sky Coalition (FDSC) encourages the city to bask in the advantages of the nighttime view with their Flagstaff Star Party. At this event, which is free and open to the entire community, Flagstaff residents and visitors alike are inspired, and most importantly, reminded to look up.

The 2022 Flagstaff Star Party and Celebration of the Night begin Thursday, September 22 and runs through Saturday, September 24, at Buffalo Park. Within the three-night event, there are numerous planned activities for the community to engage in.

Starting on Thursday, the event will be kicked off by an “Exploring the Universe in Daylight” field day, starting at 3 p.m. This is an opportunity for families to get an early start – with solar viewing, planetary exploration, telescope making for kids, a hands-on migratory bird display and walking tours to see GROVER, the Geologic Rover moon buggy prototype built by a USGS team in Flagstaff. Bonnie Stevens, FDSC Executive Director, said this portion of the event gives families and all patrons, a chance to explore space in the daylight.

“Field day is new this year,” Stevens said. “It’s very exciting because it gets the community warmed up for the three nights of stargazing. It also offers the opportunity for people to talk, look, interact and create during the daylight. At night, when the Star Party is going on, the telescopes and telescope hosts take center stage, and everyone wants to see Saturn, the moon and want to learn stories behind the constellations … this event is designed around bring in all ages and particularly families that have busy schedules and young kids who may not be able to stay out when it’s dark or last very long in the cold.”

Each of the three nights starting at 6 p.m., researcher and sky-watcher Brian Skiff of Lowell Observatory will start the night off with his sunset talk, sharing what happens as day transitions to night. At 6:45 p.m. each night of the event, a different speaker will take the “stage” at the 2022 Star Party Twilight Talks.

On night one, cultural astronomer Dr. Danielle Adams of Lowell Observatory will open the event with “Two Mountains, One Dark Sky: Our Heritage of Indigenous Arabian Astronomy,” a talk focusing on the astronomical knowledge of ancient Arabia. On Friday, archaeologist Ken Zoll will present “Star Wounds: The Use of Meteorites Among Ancient Native American Cultures,” about meteorite collecting. Finally, on Saturday, astronomer and NAU Emeritus Associate Professor Dr. David Koerner will share “Stars!” a discussion of the diversity of suns in the universe.

After each speaker is finished, there will be hosted telescope observing for the rest of the evening. Here, patrons of all ages are welcomed to peruse the night sky and see it in a way they may have never seen before. Drew Carhart, Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition Executive Board Member, said there is nothing that compares to looking through a telescope to see the universe.

“Looking at a picture really pales in comparison to looking at something yourself,” Carhart said. “Getting out under the nighttime sky and looking through a telescope and seeing with your eye the direct light, right now, from Saturn or from a galaxy twenty million lightyears away. You’re getting a direct connection with the universe through looking and that towers over just looking at a picture on your screen or a magazine.”

Chris Luginbuhl, FDSC president, has been attending the Flagstaff Star Party events since they began in 2014. Since they began, he has seen the way they’ve impacted the community and offered a unique opportunity to guests of all kinds.

“This is really, genuinely an event for all ages,” Luginbuhl said, “Children are welcome to the telescopes, and I’ve shown first viewings to five-year-olds but also to 75-year-olds who have never looked through a telescope before. It has nothing to do with age, ethnicity or anything else in life to be able to appreciate looking through a telescope. I’ve had many teenagers come up at public events who try to be very blasé about it, and then they’re blown away, getting their phones out to tell their friends to come look because it’s so amazing.”

The entire three-day event is free to the public and, according to Stevens, this could only be possible with the help of fundraising, sponsors and volunteers. The FDSC board hopes they can reach as many community members as possible, so they can remind everyone to stargaze whenever they get the chance.

“The aspect that it is free is really something,” Luginbuhl said. “People get so much presented to them and can stroll in for free. That’s unusual for a community to put out something like this, where you don’t have to buy a ticket or have to show a handstamp. It really does make it special.”

At the event, food vendors will be available so patrons can purchase hot drinks like hot chocolate, cider or coffee or snacks. The Arizona Rangers are volunteering at the event to help guide parking and greet guests. An adjacent, ticketed event is being hosted at Arizona Nordic Village on Sunday, Sept. 25, with speaker archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass. More information on this event, and the entire Flagstaff Star Party here: https://www.flagstaffstarparty.org/