SFA Looks To Rebound at Nicholls Saturday
10/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Stephen F. Austin (3-2, 0-1 SLC) at Nicholls (0-6, 0-2 SLC)
Saturday, October 11 • 6 p.m.
Guidry Stadium • Thibodaux, La.
Listen: Q107.7 FM (listen online at Q1077.com)
Video: Colonels All-Access
Live Stats: GeauxColonels.com
Twitter Updates: @SFA_Football
SFA Game Notes 
OPENING KICK
Stephen F. Austin heads back on the road for the first time in six week, making the trek to Thibodaux, La., to take on Nicholls on Saturday, October 11th. Opening kick is set for 6 p.m. from Guidry Stadium as the Lumberjacks try to build on their six-game winning streak against the Colonels.
LUMBERJACKS ON THE WEB
SFA fans unable to make it to Thibodaux for this weekend's game at Nicholls can still stay up to date on every Lumberjack play. Live video and live stats will be provided by Nicholls by logging on to GeauxColonels.com. Fans can also listen online as Rob Meyers will have the call on Q107.7 FM as well as online at Q1077.com with in-game Twitter updates @SFA_Football.
WELCOME BACK, COACH
For the second-straight week, head coach Clint Conque will have some personal ties to the Lumberjacks' opponent. Conque spent two seasons at Nicholls during his playing career, earning first team All-America honors at linebacker from the Associated Press in 1982 where he was also a second team LSWA All-Louisiana selection. Conque was named to Nicholls' Silver Anniversary Team in 1997 and was then inducted into the Colonels' Hall of Fame in 2005.
SCOUTING THE COLONELS
2014: 0-6 overall, 0-2 Southland Conference play
Last Three Games: L at McNeese State (45-3), L at Central Arkansas (52-18), L at North Texas (77-3)
Interim Head Coach: Steve Axman (C.W. Post, 1970). First season at Nicholls (0-3, .000)
Key Offensive Players:
• #15 Kale Henderson (Sr., QB): 62-of-127 (48.8%) for 605 yds., 1 TD, 3 INT
• #40 Michael Henry (Jr., RB): 66 rushes for 368 yds. (5.6 avg.), 0 TDs
• #5 Tobias Lofton (Jr., RB): 42 rushes for 150 yds. (3.6 avg.), 2 TDs
• #7 Keenan Canty (R-Sr., WR): 16 catches for 133 yds (8.3 avg.), 1 TD
• #12 Demon Bolt (Sr., WR): 14 catches for 218 yds. (15.6 avg.), 0 TDs
Key Defensive Players:
• #54 Ronnie Walker (So., LB): 53 tackles (19 solo), 3.0 TFL, 1 QBH
• #28 Davin Bovie (Sr., LB): 45 tackles (27 solo), 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
• #52 Kameryon Brown (Jr., LB): 44 tackles (22 solo)
• #26 B.T. Sanders (So., DB): 42 tackles (30 solo), 1.0 TFL, 2 INTs, 3 PD
• #10 Josh Dewey (Sr., DB): 22 tackles (15 solo), 3.0 TFL, 2 PBU
Synopsis: Nicholls continues to search for its first win of 2014 as the Colonels have faced a handful of adversity both on and off the field. Head coach Charlie Stubbs resigned on Sept. 14th following a 27-10 loss to Henderson State as Steve Axman has taken over as Nicholls' interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The Colonels are averaging just 9.5 points per game while giving up 53.0, thanks in part to lopsided losses to Arkansas (73-7) and North Texas (77-3). Nicholls is averaging 249.7 yards per game, compiled from 76.7 rushing and 173.0 passing, while giving up 533.8 yards per game defensively (352.5 rushing, 181.3 passing).
SERIES HISTORY
SFA and Nicholls go head-to-head for the 31st time Saturday evening as the Lumberjacks hold a 23-7 edge in the all-time series, as the `Jacks' .767 winning percentage is the highest against an opponent with at least 10 meetings. The Lumberjacks have won the last six meetings against the Colonels and eight of the last nine, including last season's 55-41 victory at Homer Bryce Stadium on Homecoming. The six-game winning streak against Nicholls is tied for the longest in the all-time series, matching the six-game win streak from 1992-97. SFA heads to Thibodaux riding a four-game winning streak at Guidry Stadium as the `Jacks are 10-4 all-time in Thibodaux. Head coach Clint Conque has had quite a bit of success against Nicholls as well, posting a 6-2 record against his alma mater.
KEY PLAYS PROVE COSTLY IN 49-39 LOSS TO CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Stephen F. Austin saw its three-game winning streak come to an end in a disappointing 49-39 loss to Central Arkansas Saturday night. The Lumberjacks led by as many as 10, holding a 31-21 lead in the third quarter, and was on top 31-28 heading to the fourth quarter. But three fourth quarter UCA touchdowns, including a 75-yard fumble return and a 40-yard quarterback keeper on third down, gave the Bears the lead for good. The `Jacks pulled to within three at 42-39 with 1:27 to play but couldn't complete the comeback. Zach Conque had a big game for SFA, throwing for 322 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 90 yards and three scores to pace the SFA offense that racked up 602 yards of offense. Gus Johnson also rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown on the night, his 10th touchdown of the season as he tied Cordell Roberson as SFA's all-time touchdown leader with 39.
JOHNSON TIES ROBERSON FOR ALL-TIME TOUCHDOWN RECORD
Senior RB Gus Johnson broke free with a 20-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter of SFA's game against Central Arkansas Saturday night, pulling even with former teammate Cordell Roberson on an impressive list. The touchdown was the 39th of Johnson's career as he ties Roberson for the most touchdowns in Lumberjack program history. Against the Bears, Johnson also rushed for 159 yards on 22 carries, upping his career total to 2,875 yards as the Gilmer native moved past KaRon Coleman (1996-99) into fourth-place all-time among SFA rushers. Johnson is now just 69 yards shy of surpassing Hall of Famer Larry Centers (1986-89) for third all-time while sitting 125 yards short of becoming the third 3,000-yard rusher in program history.
#GusForPayton
Senior RB Gus Johnson was named to the 2014 Walter Payton Award Watch List last week and has continued to show why he is among the top players in the country. He posted his third 100-yard rushing game against Central Arkansas Saturday, rushing for 159 yards on 22 carries, upping his season total to 651 yards. Johnson leads the nation with 10 rushing touchdowns while ranking fourth nationally in yards per carry (8.14), sixth in scoring (12.0 ppg), 10th in rushing yards (651) and 11th in rushing yards per game (130.2), leading the Southland Conference in each category. The Gilmer native continues to rewrite the SFA record book as he is on the verge of becoming just the third 3,000-yard rusher in program history.
LUMBERJACK SACK PARTY
One area that could prove to be a major difference maker in the game against Nicholls Saturday will come from the Lumberjacks' defensive line pressure. SFA notched three sacks against Central Arkansas Saturday, upping its season total to 18 as the `Jacks rank first in the SLC and fourth nationally in sacks per game (3.6). Conversely, Nicholls has yet to record a sack through six games this season and rank last in the conference in sacks allowed, giving up an average of 6.0 per game. Senior DE Ishmiah Miles has led the charge for SFA on the defensive line, recording four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss, ranking fifth in the SLC and 27th nationally with 0.8 sacks per game. 11 different Lumberjacks have recorded at least a half sack, including 2.5 from junior DT Donald Bryant and 2.0 from junior LB Justin Owens.
CONQUE FINDING HIS GROOVE
Sophomore QB Zach Conque is settling into his role as SFA's primary signal caller, notching his best game to date in a Lumberjack uniform against Central Arkansas. Conque recorded the first 300-yard passing game of his career Saturday, throwing for 322 yards and a touchdown against the Bears while completing 19 of his 33 passes. He also showed his ability to run as well, rushing 21 times for 90 yards and three touchdowns, accounting for 412 yards and four touchdowns against UCA. Through five games, Conque ranks fourth in the Southland Conference in total offense (254.0 ypg), fifth in passing yards per game (214.4) and ninth in passing efficiency (124.9), throwing for 1,072 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 198 yards and five scores as well.
WIGGS CLOSING IN ON ALL-TIME MARK
Senior kicker Jordan Wiggs continues to inch closer to becoming the all-time leading scorer in SFA program history. Wiggs notched four extra points and a 25-yard field goal against Central Arkansas, the 50th of his Lumberjack career, recording seven points against the Bears. That ups his career point total to 298, just two points shy of matching Chuck Rawlison's (1988-91) 300 career points. The Grand Prairie native has already made his mark in the SFA record books, sitting first all-time in career PATs (148), second in field goals made (50), third in field goal percentage (72.4) and fifth in PAT kick percentage (95.5).
GARRETT CONTINUES TO LEAD `JACK DEFENSE
Senior LB Collin Garrett continues to be a major force among the revamped Lumberjack defensive unit, recording 12 tackles against Central Arkansas Saturday night. It was the third double-digit tackle total for Garrett this season who upped his season total to 55, including 18 solo, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions. The Beaumont native ranks first in the SLC and ninth nationally in tackles per game (11.0), sitting at 239 tackles, 23.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks for his SFA career.
LUMBERJACKS MAKING NATIONAL NOISE
Through the first five games of 2014, Stephen F. Austin continues to rank among the national leaders in a handful of categories. As a team, the `Jacks rank fourth nationally in both total offense (513.6 ypg) and sacks (3.60 spg) and eighth in passing offense (300.4 ypg), leading the Southland Conference in all three categories. Individually, in addition to the exploits of RB Gus Johnson, DB Keavon Madison sits fourth nationally in passes defended per game (2.0), WR Aaron Thomas ranks eighth in punt return average (14.0 ypr) with LB Collin Garrett ranking ninth in tackles per game (11.0).
PELICAN STATE HOMECOMING
In addition to Saturday's game marking the return of head coach Clint Conque returning to his alma mater, a handful of Lumberjacks will be making the trip back home to Louisiana. Freshman LB Chance Barney (Covington) and sophomore OL Jake Wallace (Shreveport) both hail from the Pelican State with Barney growing up just 90 miles from Thibodaux across Lake Pontchartrain. Additionally, four Lumberjack coaches played their collegiate ball in Louisiana with offensive coordinator Matt Kubik playing in Louisiana Tech, Bill Best and Jeremy Hammock both suiting up at Louisiana-Monroe with Terry Mills playing three seasons at Northwestern State.
ROAD WOES
Heading back on the road for the first time in six weeks, SFA not only has its sights set on a victory against Nicholls, but also bringing an extended streak to an end. The Lumberjacks have lost their last 12 road games, dating back to the final game of the 2011 season when SFA toppled rival Northwestern State 33-0 in Natchitoches, La. The 12-game road skid is the longest road losing streak in program history, surpassing the 11-game streak from 1989 to 1991. That losing streak is among the longest winless streak in Lumberjack program history as SFA went without a victory in 17 road games from 1989 to 1993, posting an 0-16-1 mark during that span.
LOOKING AHEAD
Stephen F. Austin will remain on the road next week, making the trek down to Houston for the Lumberjacks' first-ever game against Southland Conference newcomer Houston Baptist on Saturday, October 18th. SFA will mark just the third game for HBU at newly-opened Husky Stadium, kicking off at 7 p.m.
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