Stephen F. Austin
McMurry
'Jacks Beat War Hawks 50-13 In Home Opener
9/14/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2013
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks gained over 600 yards of total offense in a 50-13 triumph over the McMurry War Hawks Saturday evening at Homer Bryce Stadium in the home opener.
SFA (1-2) gained 630 yards of total offense, which included both Gus Johnson (16 carries-104 yards) and Fred Ford (20 carries-102 yards) surpassing the 100-yard plateau. Senior quarterback Brady Attaway completed 34-of-58 pass attempts for 330 yards and two touchdowns while junior wide receiver Tyler Boyd reeled in a career high 11 receptions and 112 yards. DJ Ward also had nine receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
The ‘Jacks actually had to battle back from a 13-10 deficit following two rushing touchdowns from McMurry’s Chris Simpson in the early stages of the second quarter but responded by scoring the next 40 points unanswered. Attaway connected with Ward on a 5-yd touchdown at the 5:15 mark of the second quarter to give SFA a 17-13 lead and the ‘Jacks never looked back.
That score was part of a 24-point second quarter in which all 24 points came in the final five minutes before halftime. The SFA defense gave the ‘Jacks a short field to work with the rest of the half and the offense took advantage. Johnson capped off a five-play 39-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 24-13. Following a Jordan Wiggs 21-yard field goal that made the lead 27-13 with 1:20 left in the half, the ‘Jacks defense forced their lone turnover on Caleb Nelson’s second interception of the season.
Attaway and the offense made the most of the opportunity, throwing a three-yard touchdown pass to Boyd on fourth down as the time expired to end the half and give the ‘Jacks a 34-13 halftime lead.
SFA outscored McMurry 16-0 in the second half on a safety and two rushing touchdowns from Keith Lawson and Ford.
The ‘Jacks will be back in action next Saturday when they host No. 3 Montana State (2-1) at 6 p.m. That game will be televised on KCEB in the Tyler, Longview and Nacogdoches markets, as well as ESPN3 throughout the rest of the country.
-SFA-
