With the opening-night crowd starting to get a little antsy in the second period, Arizona State cornerback R.J. Oliver made the play that decided the game.
Sitting in a zone defense, Oliver was right in position to intercept a quick throw by NAU quarterback Jason Murrietta.
Oliver grabbed the ball at the goal line and sped 100 yards in front of the ASU bench for a touchdown that gave ASU a 13-7 lead.
The 100-yard return tied a school record set in 2001 by Emmanuel Franklin, who made his goal-line-to-goal-line jaunt against San Diego State.
Oliver had enough speed to outrun Murrietta, who had a slight angle but could only make a feeble attempt at Oliver.
After his long dash, Oliver was replaced in the secondary by Mike Davis Jr.
CENTURY MAN
Lumberjacks receiver Clarence Moore notched his eighth 100-yard receiving game — in the first half.
Moore caught eight of his 9 passes in the first half for 146 of his 157 yards. He had a 6-yard touchdown reception at 10:28 of the first period to give NAU a 7-0 lead.
UNLIKELY STAR
ASU sophomore Moey Mutz did his best impression of replacing third-team All-American Shaun McDonald.
Mutz, from Livermore, Calif., caught touchdown passes of 29 and 38 yards from Andrew Walter.
Mutz was a walk-on who received a scholarship from coach Dirk Koetter this year.
Mutz played in four blowout games last year but didn't catch a pass.
DIALING FOUR
For the fifth time in his career, Walter threw four touchdown passes.
Three of the scoring tosses occurred in the second half.
FROSH PATROL
Safety Josh Barrett, who earned a spot on the first-team kick coverage unit, was the first freshman to play.
Linebacker Mark Washington also played on special teams. Jesse Ainsworth handled the kickoffs.
INJURY REPORT
Sophomore wide receiver Matt Miller (hamstring), defensive end Kyle Caldwell (knee) and safety Lamar Baker were held out.
Junior safety Joey Smith (leg) and junior defensive tackle Josh Kirkwood, both scout team members, also didn't play.
