Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls State
Upset Bid Falls Short
10/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 13, 2007
Box Score |
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NACOGDOCHES - True freshman Jeremy Moses completed 29-of-45 passes for 319 yards in his first career start, but it wasn't enough to knock off the No. 14 (Sports Network Top-25 poll) Nicholls State Saturday night at Homer Bryce Stadium. The Colonels escaped Nacogdoches with a one-point victory defeating Stephen F. Austin, 17-16. The loss drops SFA to 0-6 on the season and 0-2 in Southland Conference play.
The Lumberjacks seemed to have control of the game early moving the ball offensively, while the defense was holding its own against the nation's ninth-best rushing team. SFA took its second lead of the game when Moses connected with junior Dominique Edison for a five-yard scoring strike. The touchdown, Edison's first of the season, came with 5:18 left in the first half.
The following play would prove pivotal in the final outcome of the game, as junior Cory Long's extra point sailed wide of the upright. Although minor at the time, it gave Nicholls State the momentum in the final five minutes of the first half.
The Colonels took the ball on its next possession and drove it down the field on a seven-play, 58-yard drive, which culminated in a Broderick Cole one-yard touchdown run to tie the game. The ensuing extra point gave NSU it first lead with 1:52 remaining in the half.
The Colonels were back on the attack 1:40 later. Grant Thorne caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Vince Montgomery with only 12 seconds remaining in the half. The visitors went into the locker room with a 17-9 advantage.
Unwilling to run and hide, an inspired SFA defense came out in the second half to get the 'Jacks back in the game. SFA forced Nicholls State to punt the ball away on its first possession. Moses promptly drove SFA down the field on a nine-play, 50-yard drive, which ended with a 13-yard scoring strike to Marcus Taylor. The touchdown pass to Taylor was the first of his young career.
The 'Jacks' defense came up with another big stop on its next series. Nicholls State had the ball, third-and-eight, on its own 35-yard line when Montgomery threw a pass that was picked off by freshman Jerrel Barnett.
The Lumberjack offense appeared to be driving for the go-ahead score. SFA moved the ball down to the Colonel five-yard line, where it was third and goal, but the Nicholls State defense returned the favor as Lester Brooks stepped in front of an SFA receiver to pick off a pass at the two. It would prove to be the Lumberjacks' last opportunity to score, as both teams traded punts for the rest of the game.
The Lumberjacks finished the game with 347 yards of total offense, but struggled on the ground finishing with only 28 yards. Moses connected with nine different receivers in the game, including Taylor who caught a career-high eight passes for 108 yards.
The Lumberjack defense was led by freshman Jabara Williams who recorded 12 tackles, including one for a loss. Sophomore Tim Knicky finished the game with 10 stops, and was credited with 1.5 tackles for losses and a fumble recovery. Freshmen Devin Ducote, Bry Roby and Barnett each added eight tackles.
The Lumberjacks return to action Saturday, Oct. 20, when they travel to San Marcos, Texas, to take on Texas State. The game, which was originally scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m., has been moved to 3:30 to accommodate Fox Sports Southwest.
-SFA-
