Stephen F. Austin
Nicholls State
SFA Ends Road Skid With 42-20 Victory
10/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
THIBODAUX, La. – Stephen F. Austin got all it could handle from host Nicholls, but the Lumberjacks pulled away in the fourth quarter to notch a 42-20 victory at Guidry Stadium. The win is the first road victory for SFA since 2011, snapping a 12-game road losing streak.
The Lumberjacks improve to 4-2 and 1-1 in Southland Conference play while Nicholls fell to 0-7 and 0-3 in SLC action. The ‘Jacks improve to 24-7 all-time against the Colonels and have now won seven-straight against Nicholls, including five-straight in Thibodaux.
Gus Johnson led the way for the ‘Jacks, racking up 202 yards on 19 carries with three touchdowns while Zach Conque added three rushing touchdowns as well while throwing for 291 yards on the night.
Johnson notched a number of impressive career milestones on the night, further etching his name into the Lumberjack record book. He became SFA’s all-time touchdown leader with 42, surpassing former teammate Cordell Roberson’s 39. Johnson moved into third all-time in career rushing yards, moving past Larry Centers’ 2,943 yards. He then became the third member of the 3,000-yard club, sitting at 3,076 for his career.
Additionally, Jordan Wiggs also cemented his place in SFA’s record book by notching six points on the night, upping his career total to 304 and surpassing Chuck Rawlison as SFA’s all-time leading scorer.
On the night, SFA notched 599 yards of total offense, including 308 on the ground. Johnson’s 202 led the way with Conque adding 51 and Fred Ford recording 31 yards in relief.
Through the air, Tyler Boyd finished with 11 catches for 69 yards while DJ Ward notched four receptions for 30 yards. Aaron Thomas had 59 yards on three catches, including a 35-yarder in the fourth quarter to set up an SFA touchdown.
SFA once again took the early lead, accomplishing the feat for the fifth-straight game. The ‘Jacks put together an eight-play, 72-yard drive covering 3:22, capped by Johnson’s 19-yard touchdown run, giving SFA the early 7-0 lead.
But miscues kept SFA from adding to its advantage as the Lumberjacks were unsuccessful on a pair of fourth down opportunities while Conque threw an interception in the end zone in the second quarter, stifling an SFA scoring chance.
Nicholls made the most of that Lumberjack turnover, putting together its longest drive of the 2014 season. The Colonels covered 96 yards on 14 plays while running 7:01 off the clock, ending with a one-yard touchdown punch to tie the game at 7-7 at the half.
The Lumberjacks came out aggressive in the third quarter, forcing a three-and-out for Nicholls to give SFA the short field. Johnson then made the Colonels pay, punching it in from 34 yards out to give the ‘Jacks the 14-7 lead with 11:47 remaining in the third quarter.
The Colonels answered back quickly on the next drive, converting a screen pass into a 66-yard touchdown run, the longest play of the season for Nicholls. But the extra point attempt was blocked, giving SFA the 14-13 lead with 9:30 left in the third.
Johnson then took the game into his hands, reeling off 46-yard rush to set up a Conque two-yard touchdown plunge. SFA then forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff which was capped by a one-yard touchdown rush by Johnson, giving SFA the 28-13 lead midway through the third quarter.
Nicholls wasn’t done yet, closing out the third quarter with a 41-yard touchdown rush, cutting the deficit to 28-20 heading to the fourth. SFA responded on the next drive, going the distance with Conque punching it in from one yard out to give the ‘Jacks some breathing room at 35-20 early in the fourth.
SFA’s defense then came up with a pair of key stops and with the clock winding down late in the game, Conque led the ‘Jacks on an 8-play, 57-yard drive and capped it with a 12-yard scamper to seal SFA’s first conference victory of the season.
Up next for the ‘Jacks is another road trip, heading to Houston to battle the Huskies of Houston Baptist for the first time. Kickoff from Husky Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Saturday evening.
-SFA-
