ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Arizona Wildcats roll over Northern Arizona in opener

Sep 2, 2017, 11:48 PM

Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) scores a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the fir...

Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) scores a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Brandon Dawkins accounted for three touchdowns and Arizona ran for 506 yards to open the season with a 62-24 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday night.

Arizona struggled to slow the FCS Lumberjacks and sputtered on offense in the first quarter before coming alive.

Shun Brown sparked the Wildcats with a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown and Dawkins got their offense going with his arm and his legs. The junior ran for 92 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, and threw for 89 yards and a score to help the Wildcats win their 17th straight home opener.

Arizona had six different players score rushing touchdowns and fell just short of the school record of 511 yards rushing set in the 2016 season finale against Arizona State.

Case Cookus threw for 306 yards on 21-of-38 passing for Northern Arizona, but also had three turnovers. Cory Young ran for 115 yards and two scores.

The Lumberjacks had a rough trip to Tucson two years ago, losing 77-13 as Arizona set school records for points, total yards (792) and rushing yards (499).

Northern Arizona was much better defensively at the start and had no trouble moving the ball against Arizona’s young defense. The Lumberjacks broke off several long plays, including Young’s 58-yard touchdown run, and outgained the Wildcats in the first half.

The problem was turnovers.

Cookus lost a fumble when he was blindsided in the first quarter, setting up Wilson’s 46-yard touchdown run.

Cookus later tried to squeeze a pass into coverage near the end zone that was picked off by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles at the 1-yard line. Flannigan-Fowles had another pick late in the half, setting up a 10-yard scoring run by Dawkins that put Arizona up 34-14 at halftime.

Dawkins raced off for a 66-yard touchdown to open the second half and Arizona’s defense, which gave up 203 yards in the first quarter, slowed the Lumberjacks before allowing a couple of late scores with the game out of reach.

THE TAKEAWAY

Northern Arizona proved it can move the ball on offense, but can’t afford the turnovers, particularly against an FBS team.

Arizona did what it was supposed to against an FCS school, but there are still questions on defense.

UP NEXT

Northern Arizona faces Western Illinois next Saturday.

Arizona hosts Houston next Saturday in what should be a high-scoring game.

Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus looks for a receiver during the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Northern Arizona cornerback Nate Perkins (26) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona wide receiver Donovan Walker during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Northern Arizona wide receiver Elijah Marks (3) breaks a tackle by Arizona safety Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, lower right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Northern Arizona running back Joe Logan (22) rushes for a first down against Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona running back Nick Wilson celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona running back Nick Wilson (28) carries for a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) carries the ball against Northern Arizona during the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona safety Scott Young (19) tackles Northern Arizona running back Joe Logan (22) during the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona wide receiver Shun Brown, right, returns a punt for a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona quarterback Brandon Dawkins (13) scores a touchdown against Northern Arizona during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Northern Arizona running back Cory Young (6) scores a touchdown as Arizona cornerback Lorenzo Burns drags him down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs for a first down against Northern Arizona in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Northern Arizona running back Joe Logan (22) scores a touchdown against Arizona in the second half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Arizona running back Zach Green (34) celebrates with Shawn Poindexter (19) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Northern Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Football

Quarterback Jayden de Laura #7 of the Arizona Wildcats prepares for the game against the UTEP Miner...

Stephen Gugliociello

Arizona QB de Laura, RB Wiley questionable against No. 7 Huskies with leg injuries

The Arizona Wildcats may be shorthanded when they face the No. 7 ranked Washington Huskies on Saturday at Arizona Stadium in Tucson. Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura and running back Michael Wiley are both going to be evaluated in the morning ahead of the showdown with the Huskies. Sources: Arizona QB Jayden de Laura and […]

18 minutes ago

Caleb Williams...

Arizona Sports

ASU-Colorado matchup between Kenny Dillingham, Deion Sanders airing on Pac-12 Network

The Pac-12 announced start times and channels for Arizona State's football game against Colorado and Arizona at USC.

5 days ago

Head coach Jedd Fisch of the Arizona Wildcats prepares his team for the game against the Stanford C...

Stephen Gugliociello

What a relief! Subs rescue Arizona against Stanford on the road

DJ Williams found the end zone for the Arizona Wildcats as they beat the Stanford Cardinal 21-20 in Stanford, Calif. on Saturday.

7 days ago

Jayden de Laura #7 of the Arizona Wildcats looks to pass against the Stanford Cardinal during the f...

Stephen Gugliociello

de Laura leads touchdown drive for Arizona, Wildcats trail Stanford at the half

Jayden de Laura started the second quarter on fire, but the Arizona Wildcats trail 10-7 at the half to the Stanford Cardinal in Palo Alto.

7 days ago

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders talks with his son and quarterback Shedeur Sanders during the fir...

Associated Press

‘Prime’ meat: No. 19 Colorado hammered by No. 10 Oregon at Autzen

Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes and No. 10 Oregon emphatically routing coach Deion Sanders' No. 19 Colorado 42-6 on Saturday.

7 days ago

Deion Sanders...

Associated Press

Pac-12 lookahead: Colorado takes on Oregon at Autzen in battle of the unbeatens

The Pac-12 has three Top 25 matchups in the same week for the first time. No. 19 Colorado at No. 10 Oregon tops the bill.

9 days ago

Arizona Wildcats roll over Northern Arizona in opener