NAU has nothing to lose vs. ASU

Cyrus Igono's childhood dream of playing in Sun Devil Stadium comes true Saturday night.

But it is not in the role he imagined as a kid in Tempe, living about "30 yards," from Arizona State, he said.

Igono, a senior cornerback and special teams player, will be in blue and gold, part of a Northern Arizona secondary that will try to avoid being picked apart by quarterback Rudy Carpenter in ASU's home opener.

ASU is ranked 15th in the Associated Press preseason poll.

NAU hopes to gain more than $370,000 - the reward for driving down the hill to play this game against one of the Pac-10 big boys.

"Anything short of a victory will be a disappointment," said Igono, 5-foot-10, 205 pounds, who moved to north Phoenix in high school, finishing his prep career at Pinnacle. "We have a lot of playmakers. Four preseason All-Americans. We're also returning key players from last year.

"I believe we'll be competitive."

Igono said he'll have more than 40 family and friends - some coming from out of state - to see this game he couldn't wait to play since he learned it was on the schedule.

This game also gives Igono a chance to show himself to NFL scouts.

"I'd like to showcase I can play," Igono said. "I'm dedicating this game to my friends and family in Phoenix, the people who have a lot to do with my career."

NAU's last meeting here was a 35-14 loss in 2006.

Lumberjacks coach Jerome Souers, in his 11th season, says he believes he's got the most talented lineup offensively and defensively since his 2003 playoff team. He said the experience and maturity levels are the best he's had.

But he realizes what he's up against in this opener.

"It is a challenge for our program, make no mistake about it," he said. "They're (Sun Devils) deserving of a higher ranking than they are right now.

"One of the positives is that this gives us an opportunity to go against the best."

This isn't Appalachian State against Michigan, the supposed tune-up for Michigan that turned out to be the shocker of the 2007 college football season.

Souers still is looking for a starting quarterback to emerge. He said Wednesday during a Big Sky coaches conference call that he won't know who his starter will be until game time. Lance Kriesien, the best runner of three candidates, is the incumbent, but he's been in a battle with Michael Herrick and Corey Slater.

"We'll go with what gives us the best production and opportunity to move the football on Saturday," Souers said. "It depends on what ASU's posture is. Their scheme and tactics will dictate what we do."

NAU receives not only economic value for its athletic program by playing in Tempe, but exposure that can't be underestimated.

In other words, it has nothing to lose.

"We realize the difficulties that exist, but we'll see where we are as a team early in the season," Souers said.

NAU's Cyrus Igono.