Stephen F. Austin
McNeese State
SFA Upends No. 6 McNeese State, 31-16
11/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Final Stats | Quotes
Photo Gallery
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Stephen F. Austin delivered what head coach Clint Conque called a “statement” victory, defeating sixth-ranked McNeese State 31-16 at Cowboy Stadium. The victory keeps SFA right in the mix in the Southland Conference race, sitting at 7-3 overall and 4-2 in SLC play.
“Our win against Southeastern Louisiana was a signature win, and this one here tonight was a statement win,” said Conque. “We had a team that came together and played probably our best game of the season. To come into an environment like this and defeat a program the caliber of McNeese shows a lot about where this program is going.”
The victory marks the second win for SFA over a top-10 opponent this season after the Lumberjacks defeated then-eighth-ranked Southeastern Louisiana 27-17. It is the first time since 2009 that SFA has defeated a top-10 team on the road, besting 10th-ranked Central Arkansas 33-30. 2009 was also the last time SFA won two games against top-10 foes, also defeating seventh-ranked McNeese 16-13.
SFA struggled on the ground against the Cowboys’ (7-3, 4-2) rushing defense as the Lumberjacks managed just 78 yards rushing, including just 32 for Gus Johnson. But Zach Conque paced the SFA aerial attack, completing 21 of his 23 passes for 201 yards and three touchdown strikes. Conque also rushed 10 times for 31 yards and caught a seven-yard touchdown pass on the night.
Tyler Boyd led the way among the SFA receivers, catching seven passes for 50 yards. Boyd upped his career reception total to 146, which is now tied for 10th all-time in program history.
Aaron Thomas had four catches for 72 yards, including a long of 45 that set up the third quarter score. DJ Ward, Jayson Clements and Marquis Mosley each pulled in touchdown receptions on the night as nine different players hauled in passes on the night.
Defensively, the Lumberjacks held McNeese’s vaunted rushing attack to just 141 yards on the night while registering six sacks. 3.5 of those sacks came from Lance Skyler with Donald Bryant, Shayvion Hatten and Jamal Allen accounting for the rest.
Coming into Saturday’s game, SFA and McNeese State had combined to score 173 points in the first quarter behind 83 from the Lumberjacks and 90 from the Cowboys. But neither team found its way on the scoreboard in the opening 15 minutes, heading to the second quarter tied 0-0.
SFA had the first key scoring chance, thanks to an interception by Vallier deep in McNeese State territory, giving the ‘Jacks the ball 24 yards from the endzone. Five plays later, SFA found the endzone using a bit of trickery as Johnson took the handoff to Conque and ran to the left, then flipped a lateral to Boyd who took it back to the right side, finding a wide open Conque in the endzone.
McNeese drove the field on its ensuing drive, tallying a field goal to trim the Lumberjacks’ lead to 7-3 with 10:37 left in the half. SFA responded with a six-play, 62-yard drive, capped by a one-yard pass from Conque to Mosley, putting SFA on top 14-3 with 2:52 left in the half.
McNeese got the ball back looking to add some points before halftime and were able to extend the drive thanks to a pair of long third-down conversions. SFA appeared to have the drive thwarted off an interception by Maurice Poullard. But a pass interference call away from the play kept the Cowboys on the field, scoring one play later to trim the halftime lead to 14-9 thanks to Demundre Freeman blocking the extra point attempt.
Receiving the ball first in the second half, SFA put together a quality drive, capped by a 39-yard field goal from Jordan Wiggs, his season-long, putting the ‘Jacks up 17-9 with 10:53 left in the third.
After a big defensive stop, ended by Lance Skyler’s second sack, the ‘Jacks strung together an 11-play, 55-yard drive covering 5:19, capped by an 11-yard touchdown strike from Conque to Clements, giving SFA the 24-9 lead at the end of the third quarter, one in which McNeese had just one yard of total offense.
The Lumberjacks then put the finishing touches on their statement win on the first play of the fourth quarter as Conque connected with Ward for a 26-yard touchdown strike, putting SFA on top 31-9 with 14:52 remaining. The Cowboys put together an extended drive to cut the deficit to 31-16, but a successful onside kick recovery, followed by a big defensive stop on McNeese’s final drive sealed the Lumberjack victory.
With the win, SFA remains in the chase for the SLC title, sitting one game back of both Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston State and tied for third with McNeese State and Central Arkansas. It also guarantees a winning for the Lumberjack seniors, marking the first senior class to post a winning season since 2011.
SFA now returns home for two crucial games to close out the 2014 regular season. First up for the Lumberjacks is a meeting with former Lone Star Conference rival Abilene Christian as the two schools will meet for just the second time since 1985. Opening kick against the Wildcats is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium.
-SFA-
