Stephen F. Austin
Incarnate Word
Johnson, SFA Run Over Incarnate Word, 38-3
9/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Gus Johnson had a record-breaking night, rushing over Incarnate Word as Stephen F. Austin rolled to a 38-3 victory Saturday night at Homer Bryce Stadium.
The senior set a new personal-best with 252 rushing yards on 25 carries, notching the second-best single-game rushing performance in school history. Johnson also found the endzone four times, tying a program record while becoming SFA’s all-time career rushing touchdown leader. The Gilmer native has recorded 33 touchdowns in his career, surpassing Leonard Harris (1992-95) as the ‘Jacks scoring king and earning the game ball from head coach Clint Conque.
It was part of a 558-yard performance for the Lumberjacks, including 373 yards on the ground. In addition to Johnson’s output, Zach Conque carried seven times for 44 yards while Fred Ford notched six carries for 35 yards.
Conque finished the game 10-of-19 for 75 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Marquis Mosley for 16 yards in the fourth quarter to ice the victory. Joe Minden went 9-of-10 for 93 yards for SFA while Hunter Taylor completed both his attempts for 17 yards.
Tyler Boyd led the Lumberjack receivers with six catches for 82 yards on the night with Mosley pulling in four catches for 31 yards. Aaron Thomas (20 yds.), Aaron Piper (20 yds.), DJ Ward (11 yds) and Braxton Bearden (-3 yds.) each had two catches the ‘Jacks.
Defensively, SFA finished with 10 tackles for loss on the night with a pair of sacks. Nick Bryant and Collin Garrett paced the ‘Jacks with eight tackles each as Garrett recorded an interception as well. Trey Vallier had five stops while Justin Owens posted four stops, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Ishmiah Miles and Donald Bryant teamed up to log the other SFA sack on the night.
After waiting out a 70-minute lightning delay to start the game, SFA established its dominance on the ground early. Johnson found the endzone on back-to-back drives in the first quarter, breaking a 14-yard rush with 5:19 to play in the opening quarter, followed by a 49-yard scamper up the middle just over two minutes later, giving SFA the 14-0 lead after one.
Neither team could find its rhythym in the second quarter as both teams squandered scoring chances, giving SFA the 14-0 lead at halftime before another 40-minute delay pushed back the second half.
Once the rain and lightning subsided, Incarnate Word finally got on the scoreboard, connecting on a 47-yard field goal with 8:17 to go in the third, cutting the SFA lead to 14-3.
That scoring strike seemed to energize the Lumberjacks who outscored the Cardinals 24-0 over the final 23 minutes to put the game away. Johnson reeled off a 47-yard touchdown run with 4:54 to play in the third, then set the record early in the third, punching it in from six yards out with 13:22 remaining in the game.
SFA's defense made one final stand, stopping Incarnate Word on first and goal, including big stops twice from the one-yard line, sparking the Lumberjack bench. Conque and Mosley teamed up for the 16-yard strike on the next drive, followed by a 21-yard field goal from Jordan Wiggs to cap the scoring.
SFA has now won its last seven home openers, and continued to do so in dominating style. The 35-point victory over Incarnate Word was tied for the lowest margin of victory over that span as the ‘Jacks’ average margin of victory over those seven games is 49.5 points.
Up next for the Lumberjacks’ is a date with former Lone Star Conference rival Texas A&M-Commerce. The Lions are coming off a dominant victory of their own, routing East Texas Baptist 98-20 this past Thursday. Kickoff against the Lions is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 13th.
-SFA-
