Piney Woods Rivalry Next on the Docket for Lumberjacks
10/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 31, 2008
NACOGDOCHES - 'JACKS PREPARE FOR 'BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS': The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team (4-4/2-1 SLC) will look to put the disappointment of its first conference loss behind them as they prepare to face rival Sam Houston State. The Bearkats enter the contest 2-4 (.333) on the season, and 0-3 in league play. Sam Houston has dropped three consecutive games, and is coming off a 24-16 loss at Northwestern State. The game against the Bearkats is slated to kick off at 2 p.m. from Bowers Stadium, and will be televised on the SLC-TV Network.
SFA in Televised Games: The Lumberjacks are 7-13 (.350) in televised games dating back to the 1998 season. SFA lost four of its first five televised games during that stretch, and is 4-8 (.333) in its last 12. The 'Jacks are 0-1 in televised games this season.
SFA vs. THE BEARKATS: The Lumberjacks are 33-47-2 (.415) all-time against Sam Houston State. The 'Jacks have dropped four consecutive games in the series, and seven of the last eight. The lone victory during that stretch was a 34-31 come-from-behind victory in Huntsville that saw kicker Ryan Rossner drill a 54-yard field goal late in the game to ice the victory. Saturday's game marks the first trip to Huntsville since the 2005 season when the 'Kats recorded a 52-24 victory.
STREAKS SNAPPED: Not only did the 'Jacks have their modest three-game win streak snapped against Texas State, but it also marked the first time in last five games that SFA didn't manage to score at least 48 points.
SLC FIRST QUARTER STRUGGLES: The Lumberjacks continue to struggle in the opening quarter of conference contests. Texas State jumped out to a 24-7 first quarter lead over SFA, and for the first time in league games this season, the Lumberjacks were unable to overcome the deficit. In its three conference games the Lumberjacks have been outscored, 71-21, in the first 15 minutes of the game.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Despite the setback, sophomore quarterback Jeremy Moses threw touchdown passes 28 and 29 on the season. Moses becomes only the second Lumberjack in school history (Todd Hammel, 1989) to throw 29 touchdown passes in a single season.
THE BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES: Saturday's game will pit a Sam Houston State starting offensive line that averages 6-3, 294 pounds, against a young Lumberjack defensive line that averages 6-3, 254 pounds. The 'Jacks' offensive line enters the game averaging 6-4, 289. The Bearkats' defensive line averages 6-3, 278 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 4-15 (.211) during his time at SFA. Former Lumberjack Todd Whitten is 18-20 (.474) in his fourth season at Sam Houston State.
