Stephen F. Austin
Southeastern Louisiana
`Jacks Rally from 28-Point Deficit to Defeat Lions
10/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 4, 2008
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team overcame a 28-point deficit to defeat Southeastern Louisiana, 48-45, Saturday night at Homer Bryce Stadium. The `Jacks are now 2-3 (.400) on the season, and 1-0 in SLC action.
"I'm proud of our guys tonight," said SFA head coach J.C. Harper. "We dug ourselves an early hole, but they never quit and found a way to win. After surrendering 285 yards of total offense, and 42 points in the first half, our defense really shut them down in the second. We only allowed 63 yards and three points. It was a great effort from everyone."
In a game that was similar to the `Jacks' disappointing loss to No. 20 South Dakota State last week, SFA was the team that dug itself an early hole falling behind 28-0 in the first half. The `Jacks didn't score their first points until the 1:25 mark of the first quarter, and fought back to make the score a respectable 28-13, before falling behind 42-21 heading into halftime.
The Lions racked up 285 yards of total offense in the first half, and quarterback Brian Babin appeared to be headed to a career night. Babin completed 20-of-26 passes for 203 yards and four touchdowns, while senior running back Jay Lucas toted the ball 11 times for 77 yards.
While the SLU offense seemed to clicking on all cylinders, the Lumberjacks couldn't seem to find their rhythm. SFA went into the locker room with only 187 yards of total offense.
But after making some adjustments at halftime, the Lumberjacks came out in the second half and battled their way back in the game. The Lions scored the first three points of the second half on a Jeff Turner 28-yard field goal with 6:47 remaining in the third, and that would be all an opportunistic SFA defense would allow.
SFA closed out the game by shutting down the Southeastern Louisiana offense, and outscoring the visitors, 27-0, the rest of the way. The `Jacks tacked on their first score of the second half when junior Cornell Tarrant finished off a nine-play, 61-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. SFA tacked on two more points when the special team blocked a punt through the end zone for a safety with 14:10 remaining.
Just over five minutes later the SFA defense came up with a big play when Jerrel Barnett picked off a pass to give the ball back to the offense. Moses and company took advantage of the opportunity when he completed a pass to Roderick Warren over the middle. Warren made a couple of nice moves, and 31 yards later he was in the end zone to cut the lead to 45-37.
After a strong stand by the defense, SFA forced the Lions to punt from deep in their own territory. But after a bad snap, SLU's Cody Samples was unable to get the punt off, and was dropped on the nine-yard line. Two plays later, Tarrant was in the end zone with his second touchdown of the night. After converting on the two-point conversion, SFA pulled even the Lions with only 3:45 remaining.
The Lumberjack defense flexed its muscle one more time, and got the ball back for the offense with 37 seconds remaining. That was more than enough time for Moses who got the `Jacks down to the six-yard line with seven seconds on the clock. Long stepped up to play the role of hero by drilling the 23-yard field-goal attempt, and complete the comeback.
The victory gives SFA its second win of the season, and marks SFA's first league win since knocking off Northwestern State to close out the 2006 season. Moses completed 24-of-50 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns on the night. He has now completed a TD pass to nine different receivers on the season.
Senior Dominique Edison hauled in six passes for a career-high 173 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Contrevious Parks added three receptions for 49 yards. Sophomore Terrance Nurse and Jabara Williams led the Lumberjack defense with 11 tackles. Junior Tim Knicky continued his impressive play with 10 tackles, including two for losses.
The Lumberjacks return to action Saturday, Oct. 11, when they close out a three-game homestand against Kentucky Wesleyan. The game against KWC is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium. The game will also serve as the `Jacks' Kids' Day promotion, where all children 14 and younger receive free admission to the game.
-SFA-
