'Jacks Face Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 1, 2008
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - SFA LOOKS TO TAME LIONS: The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team (1-3) will look to bounce back quickly from its heartbreaking 50-48 loss to No. 20 South Dakota State, as it open Southland Conference play Saturday against Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions enter the game 3-2 (.600) on the season after holding off North Dakota, 38-35, in Hammond. The game is slated to kickoff Saturday at 6 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.
SFA vs. THE LIONS: The Lumberjacks are 5-5-1 (.500) all-time against Southeastern Louisiana, and 1-2 (.333) since SLU brought back football in 2004. The two schools have split the last five meetings, which includes a tie during the 1984 season. SFA dropped a 21-3 decision to the Lions last season in Hammond. Saturday's game will mark the first contest in Nacogdoches since the 2005 season with Southeastern Louisiana recorded a 45-23 victory.
SFA in SLC OPENERS: The Lumberjacks are 12-9 (.571) all-time in Southland Conference openers. SFA has won two of its past three league openers, and five of its last seven. Saturday's contest marks the second consecutive season that the 'Jacks have faced SLU in the league opener. Last year the Lions recorded a 21-3 win in Hammond.
SPECIAL TEAMS LIVING UP TO NAME: The Lumberjacks blocked Peter Reifenrath's 39-yard field goal to finish off the first half. It marked the second consecutive week that SFA has blocked an opponent's field goal try and the third overall kick SFA has blocked this season. The 'Jacks only blocked one kick all of 2007 and two since 2005. The three blocked kicks are the most since the 2004 team blocked six.
CLIMBING UP THE SFA RECORD BOOKS: Senior receiver Dominique Edison caught three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown against South Dakota State. He is now 10th all-time at SFA with 1,829 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. Edison is also fifth all-time with a 131 career receptions. Senior kicker Cory Long is ninth all-time at SFA with 177 career points.
THE BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES: Saturday's game will pit a Southeastern Louisiana starting offensive line that averages 6-3, 290 pounds against a young Lumberjack defensive line that averages 6-2, 256 pounds. The 'Jacks' offensive line enters the game averaging 6-4, 290. The Lions' defensive line averages 6-3, 268 pounds.
THE COACHES: J.C. Harper became the 18th head coach of the SFA Lumberjack football team in December, 2006. Harper spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach. He is 1-14 (.067) during his time at SFA. Southeastern Louisiana head coach Mike Lucas is 6-13 (.316) in his second season with the Lions. Lucas has guided the Lions to a quick start to the 2008 season entering Saturday's contest a game over .500 (3-2).
