'Jacks Close Out Homestand Against Portland State
10/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 2, 2003
FINAL GAME OF HOMESTAND: The Lumberjacks enter this week's match-up with Portland State with a 1-1 record on the current three game homestand. The 'Jacks dropped the opening game of the three game set to Northern Iowa (24-38), then bounced back with a 60-7 thrashing of Alcorn State this past week to even their record at 2-2 for the year. Saturday's win over Alcorn State also snapped a four game home losing streak that stretched to the Sam Houston game of last season. The win over Alcorn State improved SFA's home record under Mike Santiago to 17-7. Among those seven losses was a season opening, 16-13 loss to Portland State in 2001. The Vikings enter this week's game riding a two game skid of their own following a 42-16 loss to Fresno State, last week.
Saturday's game is Lettermen's Day with members of the SFA Lettermen's Association set to induct six former Lumberjacks into the Lettermen's 'Jacks of Honor. Four former football lettermen, a former basketball player and one at-large selection will be honored at halftime of Saturday's game.
LAST WEEK vs. ALCORN STATE: The 'Jacks evened the season mark at 2-2 with a 60-7 win over Alcorn State. SFA led only 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, but scored 27 points in the second quarter to build a 30-0 halftime lead. The Lumberjack defense was tough holding Alcorn State to one first down and only 39 yards of total offense in the first half of play. ASU scored its only touchdown of the night with 2:28 to play to avoid the shutout. For the night, the Lumberjacks allowed only five first downs and 168 yards of offense, 95 of which came in the fourth quarter of play. Offensively, SFA got touchdowns from six different players in cruising to the win. RB Ron Middleton carried 16 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns, the first of his college career. FB Michael Motte and TE Lance Hays also recorded their first college touchdowns in the game. The 60 points scored against the Braves was the fourth highest point total in SFA history.
VS. PORTLAND STATE: Portland State holds a 2-0 edge in the series, including a 16-13 win over the Lumberjacks to open the 2001 season, in Nacogdoches. The two teams met last year in Portland to open the year with the Vikings winning, 31-23. See more on last year's game on page five of this release.
THE OPPONENT: Portland State enters the game at 2-2 on the year having lost two straight. PSU is coming off a 42-16 loss to Fresno State last week. The Vikings outgained Fresno State 486- 379 in total offense, but could not put points on the board. RB Ryan Fuqua, a Payton Award Candidate, rushed for 194 yards on 25 carries last week, and is one of the Vikings main offensive threats. Portland State finished the 2002 season with a 6-5 overall record, and went 3-4 in the Big Sky Conference.
THE COACHES: SFA is coached by Mike Santiago (28-20), in his fifth year with the Lumberjacks. This will be the third meeting between Santiago and the Vikings. He led the Lumberjacks to a share of the 1999 Southland Conference title in his first season. Portland State is coached by Tim Walsh (95-64), in his 11th year at Portland State (68-50). Walsh is 2-0 versus the Lumberjacks.
