Seau getting first start for Aztecs

A jersey with “Seau” and the number 55 on the back will be prominent again on the field Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Aztecs coach Rocky Long said on Monday that sophomore Micah Seau will get his first college start at linebacker in the season opener against Northern Arizona. Seau is the nephew of the late Junior Seau, who played 13 seasons at Qualcomm for the Chargers.

Seau starting is the result of the injuries to the more veteran linebackers. Jake Fely is out for now while recovering from neck surgery, and Derek Largent and Josh Gavert were slowed by injuries in camp.

Seau, out of Bishop’s, is starting in Largent’s position, but Long said he expects both Largent and Gavert to see some playing time. Calvin Munson will start in Gavert’s place.

The 6-feet-3, 260-pound Seau red-shirted as a true freshman and played in 11 games last season as a substitute.

“I think he’s matured as a player and understands the scheme better,” Long said. “He knows where to line up and what to do. I think he’s got a long way to go before he’s considered a great linebacker, but he’s got some natural ability.”

Scouting NAU

Just as Eastern Illinois was last year for the opener, which the Aztecs lost 40-19, Northern Arizona is something of an unknown coming out of the FCS. The Lumberjacks, who play in the Big Sky, have been rated in the FCS’s Top 25 in a couple of polls, and return several key offensive players, including quarterback Kyren Poe.

NAU, which had a 9-3 record last year, lost eight starters on defense and its top rusher for the last four years. Two years ago, the Lumberjacks beat the Mountain West’s UNLV 14-7.

“They’re good enough to beat us if we don’t play well,” Long said.

Notable

-- Junior Stan Sedberry, who began the fall at the top of the depth chart at safety, will not play this season because he continued to suffer symptoms following a concussion early in camp, Long said.

-- Long has not decided on the place-kicker for the opener. He said the competition is between junior transfer Donny Hageman, who kicked a 51-yard field goal at Fan Fest, and freshman John Barron II, who has been more consistent of late. Seamus McMorrow will kick off.