Nationally Ranked 'Jacks Take Win Streak to Conway, Ark.
10/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 15, 2009
The 20-ranked Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team will look to make it five in a row Saturday when they travel to Conway, Ark., to face the 10th-ranked Central Arkansas Bears. The 'Jacks' (4-1/1-0 SLC) are riding a four-game win streak, and enter the game ranked in the Sports Network Top 25 for the first time since October 2005. The Bears also enter the game with a 4-1 overall record, and riding a four-game win streak. The Bears opened Southland Conference play with a convincing 34-0 win over Northwestern State last week. The game, which will be televised on the SLC Television Network, is slated to begin at 6 p.m. It also marks the second consecutive week the 'Jacks have faced a nationally ranked opponent on television with an identical record.
Another poll that has recognized the Lumberjacks' 4-1 start is the College Sporting News' Gridiron Power Index (GPI). The GPI currently has the 'Jacks ranked 15th in the nation. The GPI ranking is a top indicator of at-large playoff selections.
The Lumberjacks are seeking their first victory against Central Arkansas on the gridiron trailing the all-time series, 3-0. The two teams have met each of the past three seasons with the lone meeting in Conway coming during the 2007 season. Last season UCA recorded a 49-41 victory over the 'Jacks in Nacogdoches.
The Lumberjacks have won four-straight games since dropping the season opener at SMU. It is the team's longest win streak since winning four straight to start the 2004 season.
SFA's three-point victory over No. 7 McNeese State marked the program's first win over a ranked opponent since the 2005 season (#21 UC Davis). The win marks the Lumberjacks first victory over a top-10 team since a 24-21 victory at Northern Iowa in 2004.
The Lumberjacks surrendered only 13 points to No. 7 McNeese State. It is the fewest points surrendered to an NCAA Division I team since the Lumberjacks held Northwestern State to 11 points in the 2006 season-finale. It is the fewest points the 'Jacks have surrendered to a ranked opponent since holding No. 19 Montana State to 13 in 2002, and the fewest surrendered to a top-10 team since holding third-ranked Troy State to 10 points in 1996.
Junior quarterback Jeremy Moses recorded a touchdown pass against the Cowboys, which gives him 64 for his career. Moses needs only two more touchdown passes to become the school's all-time leader (Hammel - 65). Moses already owns the school's all-time completion record (592).
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 8-20 (.286) during his time at SFA. Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque is 72-37 (.661) in his 10th year with Central Arkansas. Conque guided the Bears to a 10-2 (.833) overall record, and an SLC-best 6-1 (.857) mark last season.
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