Nationally Ranked 'Jacks to Face McNeese State
10/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 14, 2005
NACOGDOCHES - SFA SQUARES OFF AGAINST MCNEESE STATE: The 24th-ranked Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team looks to make it four-in-a-row and two straight in Southland Conference play as it heads into its game against McNeese State. The 'Jacks enter the game 4-1 (.800) overall and 1-0 in Southland Conference play after knocking off Nicholls State in overtime, 27-21. The Cowboys are 2-1 (.667) on the season, after defeating Texas Southern, 46-28. McNeese State's game against SFA will be its conference opener.
PLAN 'B': Saturday's game against McNeese State will be played at Cajan Stadium in Lafayette, La. The game against the Cowboys is slated for a 4 p.m. kickoff. The 'Jacks were originally scheduled to play McNeese State at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, La., but the game was forced to a new venue due to the effects of Hurricane Rita.
SFA vs. THE COWBOYS: The Lumberjacks are 10-12-2 (.458) all-time against McNeese State. The Lumberjacks have won five of the last nine meetings between the two schools, including a 55-7 blowout last season in Nacogdoches. The two schools have split the last 10 decisions, with both team recording a 3-2 (.600) record on their home field. Saturday's game marks the first time in the series that the game will be played at a neutral site.
THE OPPONENT: McNeese State enters Saturday's game ranked 25th in the country. The Cowboys are 2-1 (.667) on the season after defeating Texas Southern, 46-28, Saturday. The Cowboys' game against TSU was the team's first in the last three weeks. McNeese State had games against Northwest Oklahoma State and Southern Utah canceled due to the effects of Hurricane Rita. The Cowboys have had three games canceled this season due to hurricanes that have hit the region. Saturday's game will be the Southland Conference opener for McNeese State.
