Stephen F. Austin
Southeastern La.
Lumberjacks Tame Eighth-Ranked Lions, 27-17
10/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Final Stats | Quotes
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin notched the signature win it had been looking for, toppling reigning Southland Conference champion and eighth-ranked Southeastern Louisiana 27-17 at Homer Bryce Stadium. The victory moves the Lumberjacks to 6-2 on the year and 3-1 in SLC play, as well as into a tie for first in the SLC standings as SFA controls its own destiny heading into November.
"What a signature win for this program," said head coach Clint Conque. "This victory tonight was a validation of a lot of hard work for our players, our coaches, everyone. To have a game of this magnitude and still be relevant heading into the final month of the season, I'm very proud of our team."
In a battle of two of the highest scoring teams in the Southland Conference, it was the Lumberjack defense that came up big. SFA held the Lions to just 347 yards of total offense and 17 points as Southeastern Louisiana was just 3-of-13 on third downs.
For the seventh-straight game, SFA got on the board first, notching the first 17 points of the game against the eighth-ranked Lions. Gus Johnson notched a pair of touchdown runs, taking it in from seven yards out early in the first quarter, then punched it in from 13 yards out in the second quarter.
The two touchdown rushes gives Johnson 18 on the season, making him the all-time single-season rushing touchdown leader in SFA history, surpassing the 17 from Paul Hood in 1979. Johnson had his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season, racking up 116 yards on 22 carries, giving him 3,326 for his storied career.
The Lumberjacks' defense held strong through the remainder of the half, keeping the Lions off the board. SFA took over on its own three-yard line with 4:15 remaining and put together an 89-yard drive, capped by a 25-yard field goal by Jordan Wiggs as time expired to give the `Jacks a 17-0 lead.
Southeastern Louisiana responded early in the third quarter, moving 65 yards over seven plays and capped with an eight-yard run by Bryan Bennett, who missed the first half due to an injury. The Lions then added a 45-yard field goal from Ryan Adams, trimming SFA's lead to 17-10 after the third quarter.
Wiggs pushed it back to a two-score game, converting on a 26-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter as SFA doubled up the Lions 20-10. After SFA's defense held, the Lumberjacks were moving the ball, but were stopped on a fourth and one near midfield, giving the ball back to Southeastern with 8:26 to go.
The Lions moved down the field, converting both a key third and fourth down to pull inside the Lumberjack red zone. Looking for a big touchdown strike on third and 10 at the 17, Bennett's pass was intercepted at the one-yard line by Patrick Martin, who returned it 75 yards to the Southeastern 22-yard line. Zach Conque then covered those 22 yards on three plays, scoring from eight yards out with 3:23 remaining to put SFA on top 27-10.
Southeastern responded with a quick 83-yard touchdown strike on its ensuing possession, trimming the Lumberjack lead to 27-17 with 2:24 to go. But the onside kick attempt by the Lions was unsuccessful as the `Jacks were able to run out the clock to seal the signature victory.
It marks the second win over a top-10 opponent in as many seasons for SFA, which toppled second-ranked Montana State 52-38 at Homer Bryce Stadium in 2013.
Conque finished the night hitting 14 of his 21 passes for 160 yards while also rushing for 53 yards on 20 carries.
Tyler Boyd led the SFA receiving corps with four catches for 35 yards while DJ Ward accumulated the most yards, recording 53 on three catches. In the process, Ward upped his career reception total to 144, moving into 10th all-time for career receptions in SFA history. Aaron Thomas also had three catches on the night for 30 yards.
Defensively, Justin Owens lead the way with seven tackles while Collin Garrett, Marvin Gray and Donald Bryant each added six tackles of their own in a balanced defensive effort. SFA notched six tackles for loss on the night, led by two from both Kedrick Harrison and Ishmiah Miles with Bryant adding one of his own.
With the victory, SFA improves to 10-7-1 all-time against Southeastern Louisiana, including a 5-3 mark against the Lions at Homer Bryce Stadium. It snapped a 13-game SLC winning streak for Southeastern Louisiana as well.
SFA will have little time to enjoy this victory, however, as the Lumberjacks are already turning their sights to one of the biggest games of the season. Up next for the `Jacks is the annual date with rival Sam Houston State in the 89th installment of the Battle of the Piney Woods, taking place at NRG Stadium in Houston. Kickoff against the Bearkats is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 1.
-SFA-
