SFA Football Announces 2003 Schedule
1/31/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 31, 2003
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- The 2003 Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjack football schedule has been released, and features five home games and six road games for the 'Jacks. The 11-game schedule is comprised of games against division I opponents, including the season opener against Division I-A University of Louisiana-Monroe, in Monroe, La.
"We have worked very hard putting together a schedule that we believe will give the Lumberjacks every opportunity to compete at a national level. The schedule features 10 teams in Division I-AA and the one Division I-A opponent. Not only do we have some great non-conference games at home, but the 'Jacks will be making a couple of trips to places we've never been," said athletic director Steve McCarty.
The season opens September 6 for the Lumberjacks in Monroe, La. as the 'Jacks take on former Southland Conference member UL-Monroe. The Indians open their season the week before against LSU in Baton Rouge. SFA and UL-Monroe last met in 1998 with the Indians taking a 21-10 decision over the Lumberjacks.
SFA plays its second straight road game the following week, making its first ever trip to Cedar City, Utah for football to take on Southern Utah on Sept. 13. The Thunderbirds lost to SFA 52-6 last season in Nacogdoches.
The 'Jacks open the home portion of their schedule the following week, playing host to Northern Iowa on Sept. 20. The home date will also feature the unveiling of the new press box and luxury boxes at Homer Bryce Stadium. Northern Iowa handed the 'Jacks a 31-24 loss last year in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The meeting with UNI is the first of three straight at home for SFA.
Alcorn State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference appears on the Lumberjack schedule for the first time since 1986, with a Sept. 27 trip to Nacogdoches. The 'Jacks and Braves have met twice in the past with the Lumberjacks holding a 2-0 edge in the series. SFA closes out the three game homestand on Oct. 4 as they host Portland State in a 7:00 p.m. start. The Vikings and 'Jacks have met the last two seasons with Portland State winning both games by a combined 11 points.
SFA then closes out the non-conference portion of its schedule the following week with its first ever football trip to Miami, Florida to take on Florida International, Oct. 11. Florida International is a Division I-AA independent and is scheduled to return the game in Nacogdoches the following season.
With Jacksonville State leaving the Southland Conference, teams will play only five conference games in 2003. The 'Jacks open conference play on the road, against Sam Houston, on Oct. 18. Southwest Texas then visits Homer Bryce Stadium Oct. 25 for a homecoming match-up with the 'Jacks.
Following a week off, the Lumberjacks return to action Nov. 8 as they travel to Lake Charles, La. to take on the defending Southland Conference champions and national finalists, McNeese State. SFA then returns home for its final regular season home game Nov. 15, hosting Nicholls State. The regular season comes to a close in Natchitoches, La. in the annual meeting with Northwestern State, Nov. 22.
Season tickets for all five Lumberjack home games can be purchased through the SFA ticket office, located in the University Center, or ordered through the official athletic department website, www.sfajacks.com. Ticket information is also available from the ticket office by calling (936) 468-5225.
SEPTEMBER 6 Louisiana-Monroe Monroe, La. 13 Southern Utah Cedar City, Utah 20 NORTHERN IOWA NACOGDOCHES 27 ALCORN STATE NACOGDOCHES OCTOBER 4 PORTLAND STATE NACOGDOCHES 11 Florida International Miami, Florida 18 Sam Houston State* Hunstville 25 SOUTHWEST TEXAS* NACOGDOCHES NOVEMBER 8 McNeese State* Lake Charles, La. 15 NICHOLLS STATE* NACOGDOCHES 22 Northwestern State* Natchitoches, La.
