Lumberjacks Travel to San Marcos
10/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 6, 2006
LUMBERJACKS OPEN SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE PLAY IN SAN MARCOS: The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team hits the road Saturday, Oct. 7, to face Texas State. The 'Jacks enter the game looking for their first victory of the season, after going 0-5 in non-conference play. The defending co-conference champion Bobcats are 1-3 (.250) on the season and will be looking to put an end to a three-game skid. The contest will be the conference opener for both teams. It is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos.
SFA vs. THE BOBCATS: Saturday's game in San Marcos will be the 80th meeting between Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas) and Stephen F. Austin. The Bobcats own a 51-27-1 (.348) all-time record against SFA, but the Lumberjacks have won three of the last five meetings. The two Bobcat victories during that stretch have come during the past two seasons, including a 38-21 setback on SFA Senior Day last season. The 'Jacks have struggled in San Marcos, going 5-15 (.250) in front of the Bobcat faithful dating back to the 1965 season.
THE BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES: Saturday's game will pit a Texas State offensive line that averages 6-3, 301 pounds against a young Lumberjack defensive line that averages 6-3, 255 pounds. The Lumberjacks' offensive line enters Saturday's game averaging 6-4, 299 pounds. The Bobcats' defensive line averages 6-1, 264 pounds.
LAST TIME vs. BOBCATS: The Bobcats came into the game ranked seventh in the country and sporting one of the top players in the nation in quarterback Barrick Nealy. The youthful Lumberjacks hung tough for three quarters, trailing 28-21, heading into the fourth, but the Bobcats tacked on 10 points in the final quarter to record the win. Quarterback Zeke Dixon completed 13-of-25 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Louie Runnels carried the ball 31 times for a career-high 149 yards and one score. Nealy got the job done for Texas State with his arm and feet. He finished the game 16-of-24 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 15 times for 151 yards and a score.
Up Next: The Lumberjacks will have an open date before returning home to face McNeese State Saturday, Oct. 21. The homecoming game against the Cowboys is stated to begin at 2 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.
