For NAU, there's no place like dome

By TIM DUMAS Chronicle Sports Writer

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Northern Arizona University's dome field advantage has been a hot topic this week, as has Montana State's quarter-century drought inside said dome. But the Lumberjacks aren't dominant at home simply because they play indoors. There have been good teams here for years.

Remember, NAU finished in a tie for first a year ago in the Big Sky Conference before upsetting top-ranked McNeese State on the road in the Division I-AA playoffs.

And Northern Arizona has posted winning seasons in nine of the past 11 years, but has been consistently better at home; to the tune of an exact 2:1 ratio (108-54).

Advantage?

"I think that tends to get overplayed," Northern Arizona head coach Jerome Souers said. "It comes down to players going against players. I'm sure that's what's going to happen (tonight)."

MSU's last win in Walkup Skydome happened in 1979, so long ago that no current Bobcats had been born yet and head coach Mike Kramer was an assistant at Helena High at the time.

All Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay knows is that he's 0-1 at Walkup. Lulay made his third career start here two years ago and nearly led the 'Cats back from a late 10-point deficit in a 20-17 loss.

"It's a difficult game because it's a good football team at their place," Lulay said. "It's not because we've lost however many times in a row."

The Bobcats spent a warm Friday afternoon in Phoenix, eating lunch at Bank One Ballpark (home of the Arizona Diamondbacks) before practicing at Phoenix College. They then bused here to much colder climes, where nine inches of snow fell Thursday.

Once tonight's game kicks off, a fast-paced, flake-free game will be in store.

Montana State (5-2, 3-0 Big Sky) has excelled in its no-huddle offense lately, but the Lumberjacks will counter by not huddling on defense. Tiring out the hosts may not be possible.

"We're not concerned with the conditioning end of it," Souers said. "We're concerned with the ability of Travis Lulay and his host of receivers and the fact that he can run."

Lulay posted the Big Sky's top all-purpose game of the season last week against South Dakota State, finishing with 426 yards (411 passing, 15 rushing). The coaching staff called just one quarterback draw for Lulay after the junior missed a series the prior week due to head and knee injuries.

Whether he runs more against NAU depends on the Lumberjacks.

"If it fits into the flow of the game, we'll do it," Lulay said. "We'll see what their defense is doing and we'll figure out what our best method will be to attack that defense."

Since his injury, Lulay has been well protected. In six halves, he has been sacked just once thanks to MSU's improved offensive line play.

Said starting left guard Brant Birkeland: "We knew, if he needed three to five seconds back there, we're going to give him seven to eight now. Our team is based around Travis, both his athletic ability and his leadership."

NAU (4-3, 3-1) is talented at quarterback as well. Sophomore Jason Murrietta, the conference's offensive MVP last fall, has thrown 11 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

Murrietta hasn't had any breakout games, however. Last season he threw five touchdowns in a game twice and surpassed the 300-yard mark three times. In 2004, his top passing game is a 250-yard effort against Western New Mexico, although he did throw four touchdowns.

Northern Arizona also has a weapon in Paul Ernster, who handles all of the kicking. Ernster leads Division I-AA in punting average (47.8, Lulay is sixth at 43.7) and kicked a game-winning field goal from 48 yards last week against Portland State.

"He has a huge leg," Kramer said. "He will keep us pinned on kickoff returns and punts."

Kramer expects Ernster to punt well against his team, continuing a season-long trend. In all seven games, opposing punters have outkicked their average by at least five yards.

Out of the backfield, NAU has a tough runner in Roger Robinson, who has nine career 100-yard games, including four this season. For MSU, backup tailback Morris Milton will miss his second straight game due to nerve damage in his shoulder.

Justin Domineck is again the starter and will also return kickoffs as Michael Williams (strained knee) is out for the next month.

As for the 25 years of futility at Walkup Skydome, there's never been a more opportune time to snap the streak, according to Kramer.

"If the Bobcats were ever able to win here (in the past), it would be an upset," he said. "As we look at it this year, I think we're pretty darned similar teams."

'Cat scratches

Northern Arizona has two Montanans on its roster. Both DL John Perrigo and LB Vince Henman played at Laurel High School. Last year in Bozeman, Perrigo had three sacks while Henman recorded five tackles and recovered a fumble ... P/K Paul Ernster is third all time in scoring at NAU with 207 points. He trails Micky Penaflor (242) and Archie Amerson (228) ... NAU averages 162 rushing yards at home, but just 73 on the road. QB Jason Murrietta has thrown just one interception at home, but five on the road.