SFA Football Opens Conference Play at Central Arkansas
9/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 29, 2011
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - SFA LOOKS TO END THREE-GAME SKID IN SLC OPENER: The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (1-3/0-0 SLC) will look to right the ship when they take field against the Central Arkansas Bears Saturday in Conway, Ark. Both squads enter the contest with identical 1-3 (.250) overall records, and both are coming off three consecutive losses after opening the season wins. Saturday's contest is slated to kickoff at 6 p.m. from Estes Stadium, and will be the conference opener for SFA, while the Bears are 0-1 in SLC action.
SFA vs. THE BEARS: The Lumberjacks trail the all-time series, 3-2, which has been played every season since the 2006 campaign. After dropping the first three meetings, SFA has rallied to win each of the past two contests, including a 30-7 decision last year in Nacogdoches. The 'Jacks are 1-1 (.500) all-time in Conway.
SFA in SLC OPENERS: The Lumberjacks are 15-9 (.625) all-time in Southland Conference openers, and are coming off a 32-27 victory over McNeese State in their league opener last season. SFA has now won five of its last six league openers, and head coach J.C. Harper is 3-1 (.750) in SLC opening games. Saturday's game marks the first time in program history that SFA has opened the league schedule against Central Arkansas.
SFA in SLC ROAD OPENERS: Oddly, the Lumberjacks also sport a 15-9 (.625) record in Southland Conference road openers. The 'Jacks have won the past three conference road openers, and are 3-1 (.750) all-time under head coach J.C. Harper in SLC road openers.
NOT THE USUAL: The Lumberjacks recorded 353 yards through the air against Texas State, but failed to record a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game. It marks the first time since Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 2007 that SFA has not completed at least one TD pass in consecutive games.
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: SFA fans were witness to an unusual site against Texas State. The Lumberjack offense was hurt by seven dropped passes from its normally sure-handed group of receivers. Of the seven drops, two erased would-be touchdowns.
LOSING STREAK: SFA has seen so much success under head coach J.C. Harper, that its current three-game skid is quite unfamiliar. It is the first time the Lumberjacks have dropped decisions in three consecutive games since losing five straight to close out the 2008 season.
THE COACHES: J.C. Harper became the 18th head coach of the SFA Lumberjack football team in December 2006. A two-time SLC Coach of the Year, Harper has guided SFA to consecutive conference titles and playoff appearances. Harper is 24-28 (.462) in five seasons as a head coach. Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque is 81-50 (.618) in 12 seasons at Conway, and is 49-34 (.590) in SLC contests. The Dean of SLC Coaches, Conque enters the 2011 campaign as the school's all-time winningest head coach.
