Football Slate Set For 2006
1/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 29, 2006
NACOGDOCHES - Six home contests and two games at NCAA Division I-A opponents highlight the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks' 2006 football schedule, announced by SFA Athletics Director Robert Hill Sunday afternoon.
"One of the things I wanted to do when I arrived at SFA was to upgrade the schedule," said SFA head coach Robert McFarland. "I think we have accomplished that for the 2006 season. This schedule will be a great challenge for our program, but it is one that our coaches and players are looking forward to."
SFA will kick off the season Thursday, Aug. 31, when it travels to Tulsa, Okla., to face defending Conference USA champion Tulsa. The `Jacks will be in Nacogdoches on Saturday Sept. 9, to host Delta State in the 2006 home opener. SFA will then travel to Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Sept. 16, to face its second of two NCAA Division I-A opponents, Arizona.
The Lumberjacks will open a two-game home stand beginning Saturday, Sept. 23, when they host future Southland Conference member Central Arkansas. The Bears are currently an NCAA Division II school that is beginning the transition process to the Division I level. SFA will follow that up with a game the following Saturday against Great West Conference opponent North Dakota State.
The `Jacks will open league play Saturday, Oct. 7, when they travel to San Marcos, Texas, to take on defending conference co-champion Texas State. SFA will have an open date before returning home to host McNeese State Saturday, Oct. 21, in Homer Bryce Stadium. SFA closes out the month of October in Hammond, La. against Southeastern Louisiana.
The annual "Battle of the Piney Woods" will take place Saturday, Nov. 4, when Sam Houston State travels to Nacogdoches for a 6 p.m. game. SFA will be in Thibodaux, La. to face SLC co-champ Nicholls State Saturday, Nov. 11. The `Jacks close out the 2006 regular season Saturday, Nov. 18, against rival Northwestern State.
"This schedule consists of a solid mix of strength at the NCAA Division I-A, I-AA and Division II levels," McFarland said. "Tulsa is the defending Conference USA champion, and Arizona is a solid program out of the Pac 10. We will be taking on Division I-AA opponent North Dakota State, who is coming off a very strong 2005 season, not to mention the tough opponents we face every year within the conference. Central Arkansas is a perennial Division II power that is making the transition to the Division I level this season."
The Lumberjacks play all their home contests at Homer Bryce Stadium. All SFA home games will kick off at 6 p.m.
-SFA-
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack Football 2006 ScheduleDate Opponent Time Aug. 31 @Tulsa 7 p.m. Sept. 9 Delta State 6 p.m. Sept. 16 @Arizona TBA Sept. 23 Central Arkansas 6 p.m. Sept. 30 North Dakota State 6 p.m. Oct. 7 @Texas State* 6 p.m. Oct. 21 McNeese State* 6 p.m. Oct. 28 @SE Louisiana* TBA Nov. 4 Sam Houston State* 6 p.m. Nov. 11 @Nicholls State* TBA Nov. 18 Northwestern State* 6 p.m.
*Indicates Southland Conference games All times local and subject to change
