Stephen F. Austin
North Dakota
`Jacks Rush Past North Dakota
9/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 26, 2009
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team recorded another first Saturday night in their 65-31 victory over North Dakota at Homer Bryce Stadium, but it isn't the type of first fans have come to expect under in the spread offense. SFA carried the ball 36 times for 293 yards, and seniors Vincent Pervis and Tyrone Ross each rushed for more than 100 yards in the game.
The 293 rushing yards are the most by SFA since offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson arrived in Nacogdoches. The SFA running backs took center stage Saturday night as SFA rushed for its most yards in a game since recording 308 against Southeastern Louisiana in 2006. It is also the first time that SFA had two backs hit the century mark since facing Florida International in 2003. The Lumberjacks 65 points are the most against an NCAA Division I FCS opponent since dropping 63 on Western Illinois during the 2005 season.
The Lumberjacks jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead when junior Jeremy Moses found senior Aaron Rhea from 17-yards out. The Fighting Sioux answered right back when Ismael Bamba returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for the score. But that would be as close as UND would get as the Lumberjacks jumped out to a 42-24 first half lead.
Moses and the SFA offense continued to tack onto the lead in the second half, while the Lumberjack defense slowed down a high-powered UND attack. SFA finished the night with 643 yards of total offense, the second consecutive game SFA reached the 600-yard mark, while holding the Fighting Sioux to 299 yards.
Linebackers Devin Ducote and Jabara Williams led SFA with 12 and 10 tackles, respectively. Each player was also credited with a sack. Senior Tim Knicky recorded three tackles, including 2.5 sacks for 17 yards in losses.
Pervis finished the game with 17 carries for 154 yards (9.1 ypr), while Ross had 13 carries for 120 yards (9.2 ypr) and two touchdowns. Sophomore Dalton Williams added the `Jacks' third rushing touchdown. Moses finished the game 33-of-47 for 270 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Duane Brooks hauled in nine passes for 82 yards and a touchdown, while Rhea had seven catches for 93 yards and a score.
The Lumberjacks will take the week off before returning to the field to host McNeese State. The game against the Cowboys is slated to begin at 6 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium.
-SFA-
