Stephen F. Austin
South Dakota St.
`Jacks Drop Heartbreaker on Parents' Day
9/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2008
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NACOGDOCHES, Texas - South Dakota State running back Kyle Minett scored on a two-yard run with one second on the clock to give the No. 20 Jackrabbits a 50-48 come-from-behind victory over Stephen F. Austin on Parents' Weekend Saturday night at Homer Bryce Stadium. The disappointing setback drops SFA to 1-3 (.250) on the season.
"This is a tough one to take," said SFA head coach J.C. Harper. "Our guys fought really hard tonight, we just came up on the short end. You have to take your hat off to South Dakota State. They are a very good football team. We need to take this game and learn from it."
The Lumberjacks appeared to be rolling to their first win over a nationally ranked team since the 2005 season. SFA exploded for 34 points in the first half, and took a commanding 34-6 lead into the locker room. Sophomore quarterback Jeremy Moses was nearly perfect in the opening half completing 24-of-30 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The only setback was an interception in the first quarter, which the SFA defense came out and shut down the Jackrabbit offense to get the ball back.
The Lumberjack defense was just as impressive in the opening half forcing two turnovers, and putting SDSU quarterback Ryan Berry on his back almost every time he dropped back to pass. The Lumberjacks were led by junior Tim Knicky who recorded five tackles for losses, and four sacks. Knicky just missed tying a Southland Conference record for sacks in a game by one.
After the Jackrabbits tied the game at three with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter, SFA scored on three of its next four possessions to take a 24-6 lead, and all the momentum into halftime. SFA opened the second half by scoring the first 10 points and appeared to be on its way to its second win of the season, but that's when South Dakota State did the unthinkable.
After an eight-play, 76-yard drive cut the lead to 34-13 midway through the third quarter, the flood gates opened for the Jackrabbits. SDSU took advantage of two interceptions in Lumberjack territory and converted them into touchdowns to tie the game at 34. The Jackrabbits would add another score to take their first lead of the game, 41-34, with 5:24 remaining.
"We're going to love it when Moses throws the ball," said Harper. "And we're going to hate it when he throws an interception, but he is still going to throw it. We will become more consistent."
The Lumberjacks didn't allow the visitors to walk out of Homer Bryce Stadium without a fight. SFA immediately responded by taking the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown to tie the game at 41. Sophomore Vincent Pervis took the kick at his own six-yard line and returned it 94 yards for the `Jacks first kick return for a score since the 2000 season.
After a nine-play, 37-yard drive, the Jackrabbits regained the lead with 1:19 left on a Pete Reifenrath 42-yard field goal. But after SDSU kicked the ball out of bounds, SFA got the ball at their own 40-yard line. Moses calmly took the `Jacks down the field and ended a five-play, 60-yard drive with a 14-yard pass to junior Tyrone Ross to give SFA back the advantage. Ross made a nice one-handed catch in the back of the end zone for the score. After senior Cory Long drilled the extra point to give SFA a four-point lead, 48-44, the Jacks only had to hold on for 41 seconds for the victory. But it was just enough time for Berry, and company to punch it in one last time.
The Jackrabbits got the ball down to the one-yard line with two seconds remaining. Berry took the snap and rolled to his right, before pitching the ball to Minett who appeared to be stopped shy of the goal line. But Minett was able to stretch the ball across the line as he was hit to give the Jackrabbits the final advantage of the game.
Moses finished the game completing 34-of-51 passes for 370 yards and five touchdowns. Unfortunately he was stung for four interceptions. Moses connected with eight different receivers on the night, including four who caught touchdown passes. Junior Duane Brooks led the way with nine catches for 107 yards, while Ross hauled in six passes for 55 yards and two scores. Seinor Tyrell Williams, and junior Aaron had the other two TD grabs.
Sophomore Jabara Williams finished the night with a career-high 19 tackles, including 2.5 for losses. Classmate Terrance Nurse added 14 tackles, while sophomore defensive back Chad Haynes recorded 11 stops. Freshman linebacker Derrick Choice also had double-figure tackles ending the night with 10.
The Lumberjacks will look to put the setback behind them as they return to the field Saturday, Oct. 4th, to open league play against Southeastern Louisiana. The game against the Lions is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.
-SFA-
