FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - It was an afternoon of firsts for Southern Utah University's young football team. The Thunderbirds took their first lead of the season, got their first first-quarter touchdown, their first rushing touchdown and their first interceptions of the season.

In addition, Wes Marshall got the first start of his collegiate career but perhaps most importantly, the Thunderbirds got a ground game going for the first time this season.

Unfortunately, SUU wasn't able to finish with a win as Northern Arizona took a 27-7 win in the non-conference tilt.

"We've made a lot of progress since that first game two weeks ago, but we're still looking for our first win and we still need that first win," SUU Coach Wes Meier said. "From the first two games we've made leaps and bounds though. That's what we thought all week during practice and I think when we get back home and look at the film it will bear that out."

Southern Utah took its first lead of the season 12:28 into the game on a nine-yard Marshall run after Steve Smith intercepted a Jason Murietta pass and returned it to the NAU 20. The score was The Thunderbirds' first rushing TD of the season and also SUU's first first-quarter score.

It was also the last time the Thunderbirds would find the end zone, but the SUU defense bent but didn't break on a number of occasions to keep the team in the game until Philo Sanchez broke loose on a 26-yard touchdown run to give the Lumberjacks a 27-7 edge with 3:28 to play.

Northern Arizona answered with a 44-yard Robbie DeHaze field goal on its ensuing possession, then took the lead late in the first period when Murietta hit Alex Watson in the right corner of the end zone on a 23-yard TD pass. The only scoring in the second period came on a 29-yard DeHaze field goal after back-to-back SUU pass interference calls gave the Lumberjacks the ball on the SUU 17 yard line.

The teams played through a scoreless third period but the Lumberjacks started to pull away with a one-yard Ryan Williams run for a score with 6:30 to play. The touchdown gave NAU a 20-7 edge.

Southern Utah had held NAU out of the end zone after a Thunderbird fumble gave the `Jacks the ball at the SUU five late in the third period. On first down NAU moved to the one on a Philo Sanchez run but on second down John King knifed in and stopped Williams at the one. On third down it was Alex Richardson who came up with the big play, stuffing the run, and on fourth and one Murietta tripped and fell as he attempted a pass, giving the ball to the Thunderbirds.

"We made a few mistakes that wound up costing us," Meier noted. "But in the big picture we're making progress. Wes [Marshall] had a great game, he made some mistakes but it was his first game since his senior year in high school and considering that he did a great job. He played well today and he learned a lot today. The offensive line did a better job, our receivers made some big plays

"We really stepped it up defensively as well," he added. "That goal line stand was huge and we were able to keep them out of the end zone a few times with our backs to the wall. There's not a moral victory here but it's certainly a big stepping stone."