Home Stand Continues Against Weber State
9/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 15, 2014
Saturday, September 20th • 6 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
• Weber State Game Notes
OPENING KICK
Stephen F. Austin continues its four-game home stand hosting Big Sky foe Weber State Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium. It marks the Wildcats’ first-ever trip to Nacogdoches as the two schools met for the first time in 2013. Opening kickoff against Weber State is set for 6 p.m.
LUMBERJACKS ON THE WEB
SFA fans unable to make it to Homer Bryce Stadium for this weekend’s game against Weber State can still stay up to date on every Lumberjack play. Rob Meyers, the Voice of the Lumberjacks, will once again carry the game live over the air on Q107.7 FM or online at Q1077.com. Fans can watch the game live online through SFA All-Access as all of this season’s games will be aired in HD. Live stats will be available at SFAJacks.com with in-game updates through Twitter at @SFA_Football.
GAMEDAY FORECAST
The forecast for Saturday’s game against the Wildcats is calling for a return of hot and humid temperatures in Nacogdoches with highs expected to linger around the lower 90s. Partly cloudy skies should provide lots of sunshine with low winds as the chance of precipitation is placed at about 25% heading into the nighttime hours.
CALLY BELCHER DAY SET FOR SATURDAY AT HOMER BRYCE
Saturday’s game against Weber State will take on a special meaning for the Lumberjacks as the game will remember Cally Belcher, a two-time All-Southland Conference safety who developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the conference from 1991-93. Belcher passed away after sustaining a head injury during an SFA practice in the spring of 1994 and his #16 jersey was subsequently retired the following football season. 20 years after his passing, the Lumberjacks will honor him and his family by bringing his #16 out of retirement for one game, being donned by junior wide receiver Aaron Thomas.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
2014: 0-3 overall, 0-0 Big Sky Conference
Last Three Games: L at Arizona State (45-14), L vs. North Dakota State (24-7), L at Sacramento State (42-31)
Head Coach: Jay Hill (Utah, 2000). First season at Weber State (0-3, .000)
Key Offensive Players:
• #11 Billy Green (So., QB): 76-of-132 (57.6%) for 773 yds., 2 TDs
• #25 Zach Smith (So., RB): 36 rushes for 184 yds. (5.1 avg.), 2 TDs
• #31 Eric Wilkes (Fr., RB): 32 rushes for 127 yds. (4.0 avg.), 1 TD
• #1 Shaydon Kehano (Sr., WR): 26 catches for 271 yds. (10.4 avg.), 2 TDs
• #81 Cam Livingston (So., WR): 20 catches for 300 yds. (15.0 avg.)
Key Defensive Players:
• #11 Luke King (Jr., LB): 30 tackles (13 solo), 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
• #44 Emmett Tela (Fr., LB): 28 tackles (19 solo), 2.0 TFL
• #2 Cordero Dixon (Jr., CB): 16 tackles (14 solo), 1 PBU
•#57 Jake Gallegos (So., DT): 13 tackles (5 solo), 1.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks
•#29 Deon’tae Florence (Sr., CB): 11 tackles (6 solo), 2.5 TFL, 1.0 INT, 1 PBU
Synopsis: Weber State has had a challenging start under first year head coach Jay Hill, suffering losses to FBS 19th-ranked Arizona State and FCS top-ranked North Dakota State before stumbling at Sacramento State last week. The Wildcat offense relies heavily on the passing game, averaging 257.7 yards per game while rushing for just 102.7 on average. QB Billy Green has been efficient, throwing for 773 yards and completing 57.6 percent of his passes with no interceptions, leading the young Weber State offense. Defensively, LB Luke King has anchored the Wildcat defense with 30 tackles with LB Emmett Tela adding 28 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss as WSU has posted 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of interceptions on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
SFA and Weber State meet for just the second time Saturday following the Wildcats’ 50-40 victory in Ogden, Utah, in the 2013 season opener. Against current Big Sky opponents, the Lumberjacks have compiled an 8-14 (.364) overall record, going head-to-head with Eastern Washington (1-0), Montana (0-4), Montana State (2-4), North Dakota (1-0), Northern Arizona (1-1), Portland State (0-3), Southern Utah (3-1) and the Wildcats. The last Big Sky foe to make the trek to Nacogdoches was Montana State in 2013 as the second-ranked Bobcats fell to the Lumberjacks 52-38.
LUMBERJACKS POWER PAST LIONS, 38-17
Facing a team that scored 98 points and racked up nearly 1,000 yards of total offense the week prior, Stephen F. Austin kept the A&M-Commerce offense in check as the Lumberjacks powered past their former Lone Star Conference rivals 38-17 at Homer Bryce Stadium. SFA put together 648 yards of total offense while limiting the Lions to 327, including just 32 rushing yards on the night. Zach Conque led the Lumberjack charge throwing for 293 yards and three touchdowns while Gus Johnson had another impressive outing, rushing for 131 yards on just 13 carries with two touchdowns. Johnson started off the scoring with a 47-yard scamper on the ‘Jacks’ first possession, followed by touchdown strikes to Jayson Clements, DJ Ward and Tyler Boyd. Johnson then bookended the night with a 20 yard TD run, his fifth touchdown run of 20 yards or more this season.
JOHNSON NOW FIFTH ALL-TIME IN CAREER RUSHING
Senior running back Gus Johnson continues to move up the charts among the all-time leaders in SFA history. With his 131 yards Saturday night, Johnson now has compiled 2,633 career rushing yards, moving him past Paul Hood (1977-80) into fifth all-time in SFA history. With nine games remaining in the 2014 season, Johnson has plenty of time to move up the list, trailing fourth-place KaRon Coleman (1996-99) by just 122 yards as he also ranks second all-time in yards per carry for his career, averaging 6.25 yards per carry. The Gilmer native also added a pair of touchdowns Saturday evening, pushing his career total to 36 (35 rush, 1 pass) and into a tie for second all-time with Coleman for career touchdowns. Johnson is just three shy of matching former teammate Cordell Roberson’s (2009-12) 39 career touchdowns.
JOHNSON MAKING NOISE NATIONALLY
Gus Johnson has already made a name for himself among the SFA greats and his now showing the nation his capabilities. Johnson leads the FCS in touchdowns (seven), while ranking third nationally in yards per carry (8.89), fourth in scoring (14.0 ppg) seventh in rushing yards (409) and 10th in rushing yards per game (136.3). He has helped kick start the SFA offensive unit which has also made some noise nationally, ranking fourth among all FCS programs in total offense (500.0) and first downs (79) and ninth in passing offense (286.7 ypg). Defensively, the Lumberjacks currently sit 12th nationally in sacks, averaging 3.33 per game.
QUARTERBACK TANDEM MAKING STRIDES
Saturday’s victory over A&M-Commerce marked the best performance of the season by the SFA quarterback duo of Zach Conque and Joe Minden. Conque nearly had the first 300-yard passing game of his career, finishing with 293 yards on 24-of-38 passing with three touchdowns, while Minden completed 18 of his 22 passes for 157 yards. Conque now has 486 passing yards with four touchdowns, completing 58.6 percent of his passes, while Minden has 357 yards and has an astounding 82.9 completion percentage, connecting on 34 of his 41 passes.
THOMAS ECLIPSES CENTURY MARK
Junior wide receiver Aaron Thomas notched the fourth 100-yard receiving game of his career Saturday, pulling in eight catches for 130 yards against A&M-Commerce. It is the third-best single-game performance for Thomas, sitting behind his school-record 242-yard receiving performance against Prairie View A&M and his 132-yard effort against Sam Houston State in 2013. The Burnet native also had 109 yards against Nicholls in 2013 as his four career 100-yard performances ranks third among SFA’s current wide receivers, trailing DJ Ward (six games) and Tyler Boyd (five games).
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 five extra points and a 23-yard field goal in the victory over A&M-Commerce Saturday night, upping his career point total to 288 and sitting just 12 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 (140), second in field goals made (49), third in field goal percentage (73.1) and fifth in PAT kick percentage (95.2).
GARRETT JOINS 200-TACKLE CLUB
Senior linebacker Collin Garrett posted 12 tackles in the victory against A&M-Commerce Saturday night, making him the newest member of the SFA 200-tackle club. Garrett has recorded 27 tackles through three games in 2014, sitting at 211 for his career, including 99 unassisted tackles and 15 tackles for loss. The Beaumont native has also been responsible for a turnover in each of the Lumberjacks’ first three games, recording an interception against both Kansas State and Incarnate Word while forcing a fumble against A&M-Commerce.
DEFENSE CATCHING ATTENTION
One of the biggest question marks heading into 2014, the Lumberjack defensive unit has made tremendous strides under new defensive coordinator Matt Williamson in the first three games of the year. SFA currently ranks third in the Southland Conference in both scoring defense (25.0 ppg) and total defense (347.0 ypg), a far cry from the numbers put up in 2013. The ‘Jacks have been especially solid against the rush, giving up a conference-low 104.7 yards per game as in the last two games, SFA has allowed just 42 rushing yards to Incarnate Word and 32 to A&M-Commerce. The Lumberjacks also lead the SLC in sacks (10) and opponent third down conversions (34.0%) while ranking seventh in the SLC in passing defense (242.3 ypg).
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above
-SFA-
Stephen F. Austin (2-1) vs. Weber State (0-3)
Saturday, September 20th • 6 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
• Weber State Game NotesOPENING KICK
Stephen F. Austin continues its four-game home stand hosting Big Sky foe Weber State Saturday at Homer Bryce Stadium. It marks the Wildcats’ first-ever trip to Nacogdoches as the two schools met for the first time in 2013. Opening kickoff against Weber State is set for 6 p.m.
LUMBERJACKS ON THE WEB
SFA fans unable to make it to Homer Bryce Stadium for this weekend’s game against Weber State can still stay up to date on every Lumberjack play. Rob Meyers, the Voice of the Lumberjacks, will once again carry the game live over the air on Q107.7 FM or online at Q1077.com. Fans can watch the game live online through SFA All-Access as all of this season’s games will be aired in HD. Live stats will be available at SFAJacks.com with in-game updates through Twitter at @SFA_Football.
GAMEDAY FORECAST
The forecast for Saturday’s game against the Wildcats is calling for a return of hot and humid temperatures in Nacogdoches with highs expected to linger around the lower 90s. Partly cloudy skies should provide lots of sunshine with low winds as the chance of precipitation is placed at about 25% heading into the nighttime hours.
CALLY BELCHER DAY SET FOR SATURDAY AT HOMER BRYCE
Saturday’s game against Weber State will take on a special meaning for the Lumberjacks as the game will remember Cally Belcher, a two-time All-Southland Conference safety who developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the conference from 1991-93. Belcher passed away after sustaining a head injury during an SFA practice in the spring of 1994 and his #16 jersey was subsequently retired the following football season. 20 years after his passing, the Lumberjacks will honor him and his family by bringing his #16 out of retirement for one game, being donned by junior wide receiver Aaron Thomas.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
2014: 0-3 overall, 0-0 Big Sky Conference
Last Three Games: L at Arizona State (45-14), L vs. North Dakota State (24-7), L at Sacramento State (42-31)
Head Coach: Jay Hill (Utah, 2000). First season at Weber State (0-3, .000)
Key Offensive Players:
• #11 Billy Green (So., QB): 76-of-132 (57.6%) for 773 yds., 2 TDs
• #25 Zach Smith (So., RB): 36 rushes for 184 yds. (5.1 avg.), 2 TDs
• #31 Eric Wilkes (Fr., RB): 32 rushes for 127 yds. (4.0 avg.), 1 TD
• #1 Shaydon Kehano (Sr., WR): 26 catches for 271 yds. (10.4 avg.), 2 TDs
• #81 Cam Livingston (So., WR): 20 catches for 300 yds. (15.0 avg.)
Key Defensive Players:
• #11 Luke King (Jr., LB): 30 tackles (13 solo), 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
• #44 Emmett Tela (Fr., LB): 28 tackles (19 solo), 2.0 TFL
• #2 Cordero Dixon (Jr., CB): 16 tackles (14 solo), 1 PBU
•#57 Jake Gallegos (So., DT): 13 tackles (5 solo), 1.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks
•#29 Deon’tae Florence (Sr., CB): 11 tackles (6 solo), 2.5 TFL, 1.0 INT, 1 PBU
Synopsis: Weber State has had a challenging start under first year head coach Jay Hill, suffering losses to FBS 19th-ranked Arizona State and FCS top-ranked North Dakota State before stumbling at Sacramento State last week. The Wildcat offense relies heavily on the passing game, averaging 257.7 yards per game while rushing for just 102.7 on average. QB Billy Green has been efficient, throwing for 773 yards and completing 57.6 percent of his passes with no interceptions, leading the young Weber State offense. Defensively, LB Luke King has anchored the Wildcat defense with 30 tackles with LB Emmett Tela adding 28 tackles and a pair of tackles for loss as WSU has posted 12 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of interceptions on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
SFA and Weber State meet for just the second time Saturday following the Wildcats’ 50-40 victory in Ogden, Utah, in the 2013 season opener. Against current Big Sky opponents, the Lumberjacks have compiled an 8-14 (.364) overall record, going head-to-head with Eastern Washington (1-0), Montana (0-4), Montana State (2-4), North Dakota (1-0), Northern Arizona (1-1), Portland State (0-3), Southern Utah (3-1) and the Wildcats. The last Big Sky foe to make the trek to Nacogdoches was Montana State in 2013 as the second-ranked Bobcats fell to the Lumberjacks 52-38.
LUMBERJACKS POWER PAST LIONS, 38-17
Facing a team that scored 98 points and racked up nearly 1,000 yards of total offense the week prior, Stephen F. Austin kept the A&M-Commerce offense in check as the Lumberjacks powered past their former Lone Star Conference rivals 38-17 at Homer Bryce Stadium. SFA put together 648 yards of total offense while limiting the Lions to 327, including just 32 rushing yards on the night. Zach Conque led the Lumberjack charge throwing for 293 yards and three touchdowns while Gus Johnson had another impressive outing, rushing for 131 yards on just 13 carries with two touchdowns. Johnson started off the scoring with a 47-yard scamper on the ‘Jacks’ first possession, followed by touchdown strikes to Jayson Clements, DJ Ward and Tyler Boyd. Johnson then bookended the night with a 20 yard TD run, his fifth touchdown run of 20 yards or more this season.
JOHNSON NOW FIFTH ALL-TIME IN CAREER RUSHING
Senior running back Gus Johnson continues to move up the charts among the all-time leaders in SFA history. With his 131 yards Saturday night, Johnson now has compiled 2,633 career rushing yards, moving him past Paul Hood (1977-80) into fifth all-time in SFA history. With nine games remaining in the 2014 season, Johnson has plenty of time to move up the list, trailing fourth-place KaRon Coleman (1996-99) by just 122 yards as he also ranks second all-time in yards per carry for his career, averaging 6.25 yards per carry. The Gilmer native also added a pair of touchdowns Saturday evening, pushing his career total to 36 (35 rush, 1 pass) and into a tie for second all-time with Coleman for career touchdowns. Johnson is just three shy of matching former teammate Cordell Roberson’s (2009-12) 39 career touchdowns.
JOHNSON MAKING NOISE NATIONALLY
Gus Johnson has already made a name for himself among the SFA greats and his now showing the nation his capabilities. Johnson leads the FCS in touchdowns (seven), while ranking third nationally in yards per carry (8.89), fourth in scoring (14.0 ppg) seventh in rushing yards (409) and 10th in rushing yards per game (136.3). He has helped kick start the SFA offensive unit which has also made some noise nationally, ranking fourth among all FCS programs in total offense (500.0) and first downs (79) and ninth in passing offense (286.7 ypg). Defensively, the Lumberjacks currently sit 12th nationally in sacks, averaging 3.33 per game.
QUARTERBACK TANDEM MAKING STRIDES
Saturday’s victory over A&M-Commerce marked the best performance of the season by the SFA quarterback duo of Zach Conque and Joe Minden. Conque nearly had the first 300-yard passing game of his career, finishing with 293 yards on 24-of-38 passing with three touchdowns, while Minden completed 18 of his 22 passes for 157 yards. Conque now has 486 passing yards with four touchdowns, completing 58.6 percent of his passes, while Minden has 357 yards and has an astounding 82.9 completion percentage, connecting on 34 of his 41 passes.
THOMAS ECLIPSES CENTURY MARK
Junior wide receiver Aaron Thomas notched the fourth 100-yard receiving game of his career Saturday, pulling in eight catches for 130 yards against A&M-Commerce. It is the third-best single-game performance for Thomas, sitting behind his school-record 242-yard receiving performance against Prairie View A&M and his 132-yard effort against Sam Houston State in 2013. The Burnet native also had 109 yards against Nicholls in 2013 as his four career 100-yard performances ranks third among SFA’s current wide receivers, trailing DJ Ward (six games) and Tyler Boyd (five games).
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 five extra points and a 23-yard field goal in the victory over A&M-Commerce Saturday night, upping his career point total to 288 and sitting just 12 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 (140), second in field goals made (49), third in field goal percentage (73.1) and fifth in PAT kick percentage (95.2).
GARRETT JOINS 200-TACKLE CLUB
Senior linebacker Collin Garrett posted 12 tackles in the victory against A&M-Commerce Saturday night, making him the newest member of the SFA 200-tackle club. Garrett has recorded 27 tackles through three games in 2014, sitting at 211 for his career, including 99 unassisted tackles and 15 tackles for loss. The Beaumont native has also been responsible for a turnover in each of the Lumberjacks’ first three games, recording an interception against both Kansas State and Incarnate Word while forcing a fumble against A&M-Commerce.
DEFENSE CATCHING ATTENTION
One of the biggest question marks heading into 2014, the Lumberjack defensive unit has made tremendous strides under new defensive coordinator Matt Williamson in the first three games of the year. SFA currently ranks third in the Southland Conference in both scoring defense (25.0 ppg) and total defense (347.0 ypg), a far cry from the numbers put up in 2013. The ‘Jacks have been especially solid against the rush, giving up a conference-low 104.7 yards per game as in the last two games, SFA has allowed just 42 rushing yards to Incarnate Word and 32 to A&M-Commerce. The Lumberjacks also lead the SLC in sacks (10) and opponent third down conversions (34.0%) while ranking seventh in the SLC in passing defense (242.3 ypg).
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above
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