Stephen F. Austin
UC Davis
SFA Rallies Past UC Davis
11/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2005
NACOGDOCHES - Despite losing their starting quarterback in the first quarter, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks rallied Saturday night to defeat No. 21 UC Davis, 27-17, at Homer Bryce Stadium. The `Jacks scored 20 unanswered points in the second half to improve to 5-4 on the season.
After falling behind by a field goal, senior quarterback Zeke Dixon quickly led the `Jacks down the field on a three-play, 93-yard drive that was capped by a two-yard pass to David Coleman. The SFA celebration was short lived as the Aggies outscored SFA, 14-0 over the next 7:26 of the first half, taking a 17-7 advantage into halftime.
After surrendering 330 yards of total offense in the first half, the `Jacks defense stiffened in the second half allowing UC Davis 164 yards, only eight first downs and picking off three passes. The Lumberjack offense took advantage of the extra opportunities.
After consecutive fourth quarter field goals pulled SFA to within four points, 17-13, the `Jacks' ground game took over. Sophomore Louie Runnels capped a four-play, 83-yard drive with his 54-yard scamper to give SFA its first lead since the second quarter, 20-17. Runnels led the `Jacks ground attack with 15 carries for 101 yards.
The Aggies forced SFA to punt the ball away with 1:38 on the clock, but Grant's third-down pass was picked off by senior Ryan Luedecke who returned it 32 yards for the score to ice the victory for the `Jacks.
Dixon finished the game completing 23-of-53 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown. Dixon hit classmate Carl Price eight times for 69 yards. Sophomore Chance Dennis hauled in four catches for 109 yards.
The Lumberjack defense was led by four players who finished the game with double-figure tackles. Senior Darrell Bennett had a game-high 12, followed by Freddie Parish, Luedecke and Kenneth Boley who each had 10.
SFA returns to action Saturday Nov. 12, when it hosts Texas State at Homer Bryce Stadium. The game is slated to kick off at 1 p.m., and will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest.
-SFA-
