For all of the NAU seniors wishing to end their season and football career on a positive note, it was a couple underclassmen who highlighted the Lumberjacks' season finale and possibly what's to be expected from the team next year.

The Jacks (6-5, 4-4 Big Sky Conference) obliterated the Portland State Vikings (2-9, 1-7) 62-14 on Saturday at the Walkup Skydome, thanks, in large part, to the efforts of running backs Zach Bauman and Giovannie Dixon.

It wasn't just the seniors giving full effort, the freshman and sophomore running back duo combined for 371 yards and four touchdowns. Each also had a scoring run of 75 yards or longer.

"Those guys are going to be beasts," NAU receiver Daiveun Curry-Chapman said. "It's a one-two punch the Big Sky Conference should be ready for."

After this year's senior class makes its exodus, they're hoping to be the focal point for next year's offensive gameplan.

"They complement each other's running style," said NAU coach Jerome Souers. "Both can be equally as effective. Having two guys like that with a lot of years left bodes well for the NAU football program."

Of course, the two backs had a trio of seniors blocking for them.

"The holes were so big tonight, it was just ridiculous," Dixon said. "It just shows people were playing with a lot of heart and passion."

Bauman, who finished his season with 1,059 rushing yards said he's staying humble, ever after breaking Alex Henderson's 2006 freshman record of 1,014, but he has his sights higher for next season.

"I want to go for 2,000 next year, that's my goal," Bauman said with a smile. "We saw a glimpse of how to win and get to the playoffs and I think next season we'll be able to do that."

NAU senior quarterback Michael Herrick was 18 of 22 passing for 261 yards and four touchdowns and was a perfect 11-of-11 at halftime, admitted that only time he felt exerted was after the long runs by his tailbacks.

"It was tiring getting down there to celebrate with them," Herrick said. "I think I'm more tired from that than anything else."

Souers, meanwhile, was proud of the team's performance despite finishing the season with a disappointing record. After losing its final four games each of the past two years, NAU was 2-2 to close out the 2010 season as Souers faces an uncertain offseason for the first time in his tenure. His contract wasn't extended in 2009 and his status for next year is to be determined. While NAU remains an inconsistent football program, this year's version showed it wasn't about to give up.

"Our record wasn't what we wanted and it hasn't been, but are we better than last year? Absolutely," Souers said. "It's real easy to give up and our guys never did."

Souers said he'll meet with athletic director Jim Fallis and NAU president John Haeger in the coming weeks and they'll discuss his future.

"We work hard at what we do. We try to do everything right and when you're dealing with 18- to 23-year-old men, they don't always go right," Souers said. "We'll take an honest look at things and make a decision that's in the best interest of NAU football.

"I believe in the potential of this program."

Until then, he and the Jacks will soak in the victory and hope, as always, next season goes better.

"I'm going to remember this one," Curry-Chapman said. "It's great to share it with this group of guys. I fee like this is a family -- I felt that we left it all out there."

Jacob May can be reached at jmay@azdailysun.com or 556-2257.