SFA Releases 2015 Football Schedule
12/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – On the heels of one of the most memorable seasons in recent history, Stephen F. Austin has released its 2015 football schedule. The 2015 slate consists of 11 games, including five at Homer Bryce Stadium, with nine Southland Conference matchups.
“We’re very excited about the 2015 schedule,” said head coach Clint Conque. “It’s extremely challenging, but great opportunities lie within that schedule. We have a lot of momentum in our football program because of the successes of this year’s team and we have a lot of work to do between now and September fifth, but we’re ready to get going.”
SFA opens up the 2015 campaign on Saturday, September 5th when the Lumberjacks host Division II foe Tarleton State at Homer Bryce Stadium. That leads into a challenging test in Fort Worth as SFA will take on Big 12 foe TCU on September 12th as the Horned Frogs are currently ranked fourth nationally and remain in prime position to be one of the four teams to qualify for the 2015 FBS playoff.
One change to the format in 2015 is the addition of a Southland Conference game, meaning each school will play nine conference matchups instead of eight. SFA’s conference schedule begins with a big challenge out of the gates as the ‘Jacks host McNeese State at Homer Bryce Stadium on September 19th.
“Moving to nine conference games really just puts a premium on every game,” Conque said. “It puts an additional emphasis on our offseason program and in our spring and summer workouts, because there is no margin for error. We’ve got to come out of the gate hitting on all cylinders earlier than usual, because the challenge just got that much greater.”
SFA then makes its first trip to Abilene Christian since 1984 as the Lumberjacks and Wildcats square off to close out the month of September. That leads into the 2015 Battle of the Piney Woods as SFA and rival Sam Houston State meet for the 90th time, squaring off once again at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday, October 3rd.
The Lumberjacks return home on October 10th hosting Nicholls before a trek to Hammond, La., to face reigning SLC co-champions Southeastern Louisiana on October 17th.
Following a bye week, SFA welcomes Incarnate Word back to Nacogdoches for the Cardinals’ first official game against the Lumberjacks as a Southland Conference member on October 31st. The game against Incarnate Word marks SFA’s 2015 Homecoming date as well.
SFA then opens up the month of November with one of the most anticipated games since coach Conque came to Nacogdoches as he makes his first trip back to Conway, Ark., facing Central Arkansas on November 7th.
The ‘Jacks’ final home game of 2015 will be on November 14th as SFA welcomes Houston Baptist to Homer Bryce Stadium for the first time. The 2015 regular season finale takes place in Natchitoches, La., as SFA and Northwestern State will stage the 50th battle for Chief Caddo on November 21st.
SFA is looking to build on the successes of the 2014 season which saw the Lumberjacks notch a five-game improvement in victories, going 8-5 after a 3-9 season in 2013. The ‘Jacks return 14 starters from the team that reached the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2010, but will have to fill some holes being left from some key seniors, including running back Gus Johnson, linebacker Collin Garrett and defensive end Ishmiah Miles.
Season ticket information will be released after the new year as SFA now gears up for Signing Day, which will lead into the 2015 spring season beginning in March. Stay tuned to SFAJacks.com for all the latest news and information leading into the 2015 Lumberjack football season.
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