Key Homestand Begins With Abilene Christian
11/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
No. 24 Stephen F. Austin (7-3, 4-2 SLC) vs. Abilene Christian (5-6, 3-4 SLC)
Saturday, November 15 • 3:00 p.m.
Homer Bryce Stadium • Nacogdoches, Texas
Video: SFA All-Access
Radio: Q107.7 FM (listen online at Q1077.com)
Live Stats: SFAJacks.com
Twitter Updates: @SFA_Football
SFA Game Notes 
OPENING KICK
Stephen F. Austin begins the home stretch of the 2014 season with a pair of home games, beginning with Abilene Christian Saturday. Opening kick against the Wildcats is set for 3 p.m. from Homer Bryce Stadium as 24th-ranked Stephen F. Austin looks to keep its Southland Conference and NCAA playoff hopes alive.
LUMBERJACKS ON THE WEB
SFA fans unable to make it to Homer Bryce Stadium for this weekend’s game against Abilene Christian can still stay up to date on every Lumberjack play. Live video of the game can be seen by logging on to SFA All Access for a free, HD stream of the game. Fans can also listen to their Lumberjacks as Rob Meyers will have the call on Q107.7 FM as well as online at Q1077.com. Live stats will be available online at SFAJacks.com with in-game Twitter updates @SFA_Football.
GAMEDAY FORECAST
Saturday’s forecast is looking less than ideal as the polar vortex is making its way through deep East Texas. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-40s at kickoff with rain throughout the day. With winds hovering around 5-8 mph, it could be a chilly November slugfest Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium.
LUMBERJACKS REJOIN THE NATIONAL POLLS
Following Saturday’s victory at sixth-ranked McNeese State, SFA once again finds itself ranked among the national poll. The Lumberjacks check in at 24th in this week’s FCS coaches poll, receiving 48 total votes. The ‘Jacks are one of three Southland Conference schools among the top-25, joining 10th-ranked Southeastern Louisiana and the 13th-ranked Cowboys. The ‘Jacks are receiving votes in the FCS Sports Network media poll as well, earning 257 votes and unofficially sitting 28th.
#GusForPayton
Senior RB Gus Johnson was named to the 2014 Walter Payton Award Watch List on September 30th and has continued to show why he is among the top players in the country. Entering this week’s game against Abilene Christian, Johnson ranks second in the nation with 19 rushing touchdowns while ranking third nationally in both yards per carry (6.97) and scoring (11.4 ppg), eighth in rushing yards (1,282) and ninth in rushing yards per game (128.2), leading the Southland Conference in each category. He has surpassed the 100-yard mark seven times this season with two 200-yard performances and has scored at least three touchdowns on three separate occasions.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
2014: 5-6 overall, 3-4 in Southland Conference play, 2-3 on the road
Last Three Games: L vs. Northwestern State (34-10), W vs. Central Arkansas (52-35), L at Sam Houston State (38-21)
Head Coach: Ken Collums; third season at Abilene Christian (18-15, .545)
Key Offensive Players:
• #14 Parker McKenzie (So., QB): 217-of-336 (64.6%) for 2,817 yds., 21 TDs, 9 INTs
• #22 De’Andre Brown (R-Fr., RB): 115 rushes for 706 yds. (6.1 avg.), 6 TDs
• #23 Herschel Sims (Jr., RB): 104 rushes for 556 yds. (5.3 avg.), 4 TDs
• #6 Demarcus Thompson (Sr. WR): 50 catches for 584 yds. (11.7 avg.), 2 TDs
• #82 Cedric Gilbert (Jr., WR): 36 catches for 648 yds. (18.0 avg.), 7 TDs
Key Defensive Players:
• #3 Justin Stewart (Sr., DB): 85 tackles (61 solo), 2.0 TFL, 3 PBUs, 2 INTs, 2 FR
• #20 Justin Stephens (Sr., LB): 84 tackles (51 solo), 7.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 2 PBU, 2 INTs, 5 QBHs
• #21 Angel Lopez (Sr., DB): 77 tackles (57 solo), 2.5 TFL, 3 PBUs, 2 INTs, 2 QBHs
• #34 Sam Denmark (Fr., LB): 65 tackles (34 solo), 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 3 PBUs, 2 INTs
• #5 Nick Richardson (Sr., DE): 56 tackles (39 solo), 16.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks, 2 PBUs, 5 QBHs, 2 FF
Synopsis: Abilene Christian enters Saturday’s game at 5-6 on the year and 3-4 in Southland Conference play, having recorded some key victories in 2014. The Wildcats defeated FBS foe Troy 38-35, nearly knocked off another FBS opponent in Georgia Southern, falling 38-37, before defeating Central Arkansas 52-35 in SLC action. ACU is averaging 32.3 points and 429.5 yards per game offensively, but is coming off a season-low in which it scored just 10 points in the loss to Northwestern State. The majority of the Wildcat offense comes through the air where the Wildcats average 274.8 passing yards per game, countered by 154.6 yards per game on the ground. Defensively, Abilene Christian is giving up 26.4 points and 410.6 yards per game, allowing 274.8 yards per game through the air but just 135.8 yards per game rushing.
SERIES INFORMATION
SFA and Abilene Christian meet for the 15th time Saturday but just the first since 1999. Former Lone Star Conference rivals, the Wildcats hold an 8-6 (.571) lead in the all-time series which began in 1973 when ACU joined as a member of the LSC. The two teams met on a yearly basis until 1985 when SFA left the conference to make the transition to Division I. The ‘Jacks and Wildcats last met in 1999, a 51-34 SFA victory at Homer Bryce Stadium.
SFA UPENDS SIXTH-RANKED McNEESE STATE, 31-16, IN LAKE CHARLES
Led by an all-around effort by QB Zach Conque, SFA notched a “statement” win Saturday, upending sixth-ranked McNeese State 31-16 on its home field. It marked the first road victory against a top-10 team since a 33-30 win at 10th-ranked Central Arkansas in 2009, which was also the same year the Lumberjacks defeated two top-10 seasons in the same season. Conque was a very efficient 21-of-23 passing for 201 yards and three touchdowns, rushing 10 times for 31 yards and even catching a seven-yard touchdown pass from WR Tyler Boyd, giving him 239 yards of total offense and four touchdowns on the night. RB Gus Johnson was held to just 32 yards by the McNeese State defense but the SFA defensive unit held its own as well, limiting the Cowboys to just 141 rushing yards on the night. DT Lance Skyler had one of his top games in an SFA uniform, recording six tackles and a career-best 3.5 sacks on the night.
CONQUE, SKYLER EARN SLC WEEKLY HONORS
Sophomore QB Zach Conque and junior DT Lance Skyler were recognized for their performances in SFA’s win over sixth-ranked McNeese State Saturday, being named the Southland Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week. Conque was an incredibly efficient 21-of-23 (91.3%) for 201 yards and three touchdowns while also catching a seven yard TD pass and rushing 10 times for 31 yards, controlling the SFA offensive unit. Skyler led the Lumberjack defensive unit with six tackles (five solo) and 3.5 sacks against the Cowboys, including a third quarter sack on third down to stifle a McNeese State drive before back-to-back sacks on third and fourth down on the Cowboys’ final offensive possession to seal the victory. The duo becomes the third and fourth ‘Jacks to earn SLC weekly honors this season, joining RB Gus Johnson and P Nick Bruno. In addition to the honors from the Southland Conference, Conque was also named the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Offensive Player of the Week with Skyler earning honorable mention honors on the defensive side.
LUMBERJACKS AGAINST THE TOP-10
Saturday’s victory against McNeese State added another win to an impressive SFA resume against top-ranked teams. The ‘Jacks are 18-25-1 (.420) against top-10 foes with the highest-ranked victory coming against top-ranked North Texas in 1988, toppling the Mean Green 17-10. SFA won its first road game against a top-10 team since 2009 Saturday when the ‘Jacks upset 10th-ranked Central Arkansas 33-30, while also earning its second win against a top-10 team in the same season since 2009 coming off the heels of their 27-17 win over then-eighth-ranked Southeastern Louisiana on Oct. 25. SFA has won three of its last four games against top-10 foes, including a 52-38 victory over second-ranked Montana State in 2013.
JOHNSON CLOSING IN ON ALL-TIME SFA RUSHING MARK
Senior RB Gus Johnson continues to inch closer to become the all-time leading rusher in SFA program history. Despite being held to a season-low 32 yards against McNeese State, Johnson became just the second 3,500-yard rusher in program history, sitting at 3,506 yards and leaving him just 266 yards shy of surpassing Leonard Harris (1992-95) as SFA’s all-time leading rusher. With two games remaining in the 2014 season, Johnson needs to average 133 yards per game to accomplish the feat. His 1,282 rushing yards in 2014 also ranks fourth all-time in program history for a single season as he needs just 159 to surpass Larry Centers’ single-season mark of 1,440 in 1989.
WARD, BOYD AMONG ALL-TIME RECEIVERS
The senior WR duo of DJ Ward and Tyler Boyd have played key roles in the SFA offensive attack over the last four years and their performance have earned them each places in the SFA record books. Ward currently has 160 career receptions for 2,037 yards as he became the 10th 2,000-yard receiver in program history, sitting tied for 10th all-time in receiving yards with Mikhael Ricks (1993-97). His 160 career receptions is tied for sixth all-time with former teammate Mike Brooks (2010-13), sitting six catches shy of James Noble’s (1982-85) 166 career catches. Boyd entered the top-10 this past weekend at McNeese State as he is tied with Floyd Dixon (1982-85) for 10th all-time in career receptions at 160. Boyd is knocking on the door of joining the 2,000-yard receiving club as well, sitting at 1,895 career yards.
JOHNSON, WIGGS AMONG SLC ALL-TIME GREATS
RB Gus Johnson and K Jordan Wiggs have not only established themselves as all-time SFA greats, but are among the Southland Conference all-time leaders as well. Johnson ranks among the top-10 in three different categories, including fourth all-time in rushing touchdowns (48) and seventh in rushing yards (3,506). Wiggs, SFA’s all-time point leader, sits fourth all-time in SLC history in points with 334 while currently sitting as the conference’s all-time leader in PATs attempted (179) and PATs made (172). Wiggs is also third all-time in field goal percentage (72.97%) and fifth in field goals made (54).
MILES CONTINUES TO CAUSE OFFENSIVE HEADACHES
Senior DE Ishmiah Miles has been causing headaches for opposing offenses for four seasons as his efforts have earned him a spot in the Lumberjack record books. With two regular season games remaining in 2014, Miles has notched 105 career tackles, including 14.0 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss. He currently sits sixth all-time in career TFLs and is tied for ninth in program history in career sacks as the Sachse native last week received an invitation to play in the FCS Senior Bowl next month.
LUMBERJACKS MAKING NATIONAL NOISE
Heading into the home stretch of the 2014 season, SFA continues to rank among the nation’s best in a handful of statistical categories. As a team, the Lumberjacks rank eighth in completion percentage (65.9%), 15th in first downs (242), 16th in total offense (470.9 ypg) and 20th in both scoring offense (35.3 ppg) and sacks (2.70 spg). Individually, in addition to the exploits of RB Gus Johnson, who ranks among the top-10 in five different statistical categories and is 22nd in all purpose yards (139.90), CB Keavon Madison ranks ninth nationally in passes defended (1.4) with QB Zach Conque sitting 15th in the nation in points responsible for (146) and 18th in rushing touchdowns (13) and WR Aaron Thomas ranking 19th in punt return average (10.2 ypr).
PURPLE vs. PURPLE
Saturday’s game against Abilene Christian marks the fourth of five games for SFA this season in which the Lumberjacks will face an opponent that also has purple as its primary color. Abilene Christian will also be the third purple opponent to bear the nickname “‘Wildcats,” joining Kansas State and Weber State, as Central Arkansas and Northwestern State round out SFA’s purple opponents.
LOOKING AHEAD
Stephen F. Austin closes out the 2014 season facing rival Northwestern State on Saturday, November 22nd. The game against the Demons marks the annual Battle for Chief Caddo, the largest football rivalry trophy in the nation. The Lumberjacks will be looking to bring the Chief back to Nacogdoches after losing it to Northwestern State following a 40-27 loss in 2013. Opening kick against the Demons is set for 3 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium.
For the complete game notes, click the PDF link above.
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