SFA Renews Long Time Rivalry Saturday
9/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2014
Saturday, September 13 • 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 • A&M-C Game Notes
Stephen F. Austin renews an old rivalry when it hosts Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State) on Saturday, September 13th at Homer Bryce Stadium. It is the second game of a four-game home stand for the Lumberjacks with kickoff against the Lions scheduled for 6 p.m.
SFA fans unable to make it to Homer Bryce Stadium for this weekend’s game against A&M-Commerce 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.
Saturday is shaping up to be a great day for football in east Texas as the weather forecast is calling for temperatures to hover in the low 80s all day Saturday with partly cloudy skies and little chance of precipitation. Saturday night temperatures are suppose to drop into the low 60s with low winds forecasted throughout the day.
2014: 1-0 overall, 0-0 Lone Star Conference play
Last Week: Defeated East Texas Baptist 98-20
Head Coach: Colby Carthel (Angelo State, ‘99). Second season at A&M-Commerce (8-5, .615)
Key Offensive Players:
• #7 Tyrik Rollison (Sr., QB): 26-of-33 (78.8%) for 562 yds., 6 TDs, 0 INTs
• #24 Joe Bergeron (Sr., RB): 13 carries for 134 yds. (10.3 ypr), 2 TDs
• #23 Richard Cooper (So., RB): 14 carries for 116 yds. (8.3 ypr), 2 TDs
• #6 Vernon Johnson (Sr., WR): 6 catches for 105 yds. (17.5 ypr), 1 TD
• #1 Seth Smith (Sr., WR): 4 catches for 132 yds. (33.0 ypr), 2 TDs
Key Defensive Players:
• #99 Charles Tuaau (Sr., DT): 4 tackles (4 solo), 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks
• #33 Charles Woods (Jr., LB): 10 tackles (8 solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
• #54 Leo Migo (Sr., LB): 5 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 TFL
• #25 Cameron Napoleon (So., DB): 5 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
• #98 Brandon Turner (Sr., DE): 2 tackles (2 solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
Synopsis: Texas A&M-Commerce rewrote both the program and Division II record books last week in a 98-20 rout of East Texas Baptist in its 2014 season opener. The Lions racked up nearly 1,000 yards of total offense (590 passing, 396 rushing) against the Division III foe as QB Tyrik Rollison set a school record throwing for 562 yards and six touchdowns. A&M-Commerce boasts the reigning LSC Defensive Player (Charles Tuaau) and Wide Receiver (Vernon Johnson) of the Year as Tuaau was also tabbed the preseason LSC Defensive Player of the Year. Tuaau notched 59 tackles in 2013, including 12.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss, both of which ranked among the national leaders, while Johnson reeled in a program-record 1,350 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
SFA and A&M-Commerce renew an old rivalry Saturday as the longtime Lone Star Conference rivals will meet for the 57th time. The Lions dominated the series, holding a 43-12-1 edge all-time which including winning streaks of 14 (1930-47), seven (1957-63) and six games (1967-72). The Lumberjacks won the last meeting between the two, a 48-21 victory at Homer Bryce Stadium in 2000, which was the first time the ‘Jacks and Lions had met since SFA left the Lone Star Conference in 1983. The ‘Jacks are 3-3 all-time against the Lions at Homer Bryce Stadium, notching victories in 1978 (23-0), 1982 (17-14) and 2000 (48-21).
Senior running back Gus Johnson had a game for the record books, rushing for 252 yards and four touchdowns as SFA ran over Incarnate Word 38-3 in the 2014 home opener. Johnson’s performance was the second-best single-game rushing performance in Lumberjack program history, trailing only the 289-yard effort by Isiah Stoker against Jacksonville State in 1999. Johnson reeled off two first quarter touchdowns, taking one in from 14 yards out, then breaking up the middle for a 49-yard scamper to but the ‘Jacks up 14-0 after one. That score would hold until the third when the Cardinals trimmed into the deficit with a field goal to close the gap to 14-3. Johnson then put the game out of reach, notching a 47-yard touchdown run in the third before opening the fourth with a six-yard plunge, capping an 11-play, 96-yard drive. Zach Conque then notched his first collegiate touchdown pass, connecting 16 yards to Marquis Mosley, followed by a 21-yard field goal by Jordan Wiggs to give SFA the 38-3 final margin. It was the seventh-straight victory in a home opener for the ‘Jacks as SFA has notched a 51-point margin of victory during that span.
Senior running back Gus Johnson stole the show Saturday night against Incarnate Word, rewriting the record book in the process. With his four touchdowns against the Cardinals, Johnson became SFA’s all-time career rushing touchdown leader, upping his career tally to 33 moving past Leonard Harris (1992-95). Johnson did it in significantly fewer games than Harris as he accomplished the feat in just 33 games while Harris needed 44 to set the record. It was the third four-touchdown game of Johnson’s SFA career as he is now tied for second all-time in career touchdowns with 34 (33 rush, one receiving), trailing Cordell Roberson’s (2009-12) 39 receiving scores. Johnson also became just the sixth player in SFA program history to eclipse the 2,500-yard plateau as his 252-yard performance gives him 2,502 career rushing yards, siting sixth all-time in program history.
It came as little surprise that Gus Johnson was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week on September 8th, following his career night against Incarnate Word. The Gilmer native set a personal-best with 252 rushing yards on 25 carries, the second-best single-game rushing performance in SFA history, notching four touchdowns in the process for his third four-touchdown performance. Johnson became the ‘Jacks all-time career rushing touchdown leader in the process, earning the third SLC weekly honor of his career. His efforts were good enough to catch some national attention as well as Johnson was named the Sports Network FCS National Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
One of the key leaders that has emerged among the SFA defensive unit is senior linebacker Collin Garrett and the Beaumont native has made his presence felt early in 2014. Garrett had eight tackles against the Cardinals as the three-year starter is one tackle shy of eclipsing 200 for his Lumberjack career, sitting at 96 solo tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also tallied the fifth interception of his career and his second in as many games, picking off a hail mary attempt off Incarnate Word quarterback Taylor Woods to end the first half.
Senior kicker Jordan Wiggs has been a constant in the SFA special teams unit for the past three years and his consistency has him on the cusp of history. Wiggs recorded eight points in the victory over Incarnate Word Saturday, going five-for-five in extra points while adding a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, upping his career point total to 280. Sitting second all-time in career points in SFA history, Wiggs is just 20 points shy of Chuck Rawlison, the ‘Jacks’ all-time points leader, who recorded 300 points from 1988-91. The Grand Prairie native already ranks first all-time in program history in PATs made (135), attempted (142) and field goals made (48) while ranking second in field goals attempted (65), third in field goal percentage (73.8%) and fifth in PAT percentage (95.1%)
Senior wide receiver DJ Ward joined an elite group Saturday evening after pulling down a pair of catches against Incarnate Word. The two receptions upped his career total to 127, moving him into 10th-place all-time in SFA program history for career receptions. Ward, who has averaged 61.5 receptions over the past two seasons, could make a serious threat at cracking the top-five as he currently sits 10 catches shy of ninth-place Anthony Dingle (1999-02) and is 15 back of eighth-place Aaron Rhea (2006-09). If Ward continues his current pace of 61 receptions per season, he would be on track to finish his SFA career with approximately 185 career receptions, which would put him fourth all-time behind Duane Brooks’ (2008-09) 186 catches.
Senior wide receiver Tyler Boyd pulled down a team-best six catches for 82 yards against Incarnate Word Saturday, joining the SFA 100-catch club in the process. The Daingerfield native now has 100 receptions for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns in his Lumberjack career, coming off his impressive 2013 performance when he pulled in 79 catches for 1,183 yards, both of which rank second all-time in the SFA single season record books.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
Stephen F. Austin (1-1) vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (1-0)
Saturday, September 13 • 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 • A&M-C Game Notes
OPENING KICK
Stephen F. Austin renews an old rivalry when it hosts Texas A&M-Commerce (formerly East Texas State) on Saturday, September 13th at Homer Bryce Stadium. It is the second game of a four-game home stand for the Lumberjacks with kickoff against the Lions scheduled for 6 p.m.
LUMBERJACKS ON THE WEB
SFA fans unable to make it to Homer Bryce Stadium for this weekend’s game against A&M-Commerce 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
Saturday is shaping up to be a great day for football in east Texas as the weather forecast is calling for temperatures to hover in the low 80s all day Saturday with partly cloudy skies and little chance of precipitation. Saturday night temperatures are suppose to drop into the low 60s with low winds forecasted throughout the day.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
2014: 1-0 overall, 0-0 Lone Star Conference play
Last Week: Defeated East Texas Baptist 98-20
Head Coach: Colby Carthel (Angelo State, ‘99). Second season at A&M-Commerce (8-5, .615)
Key Offensive Players:
• #7 Tyrik Rollison (Sr., QB): 26-of-33 (78.8%) for 562 yds., 6 TDs, 0 INTs
• #24 Joe Bergeron (Sr., RB): 13 carries for 134 yds. (10.3 ypr), 2 TDs
• #23 Richard Cooper (So., RB): 14 carries for 116 yds. (8.3 ypr), 2 TDs
• #6 Vernon Johnson (Sr., WR): 6 catches for 105 yds. (17.5 ypr), 1 TD
• #1 Seth Smith (Sr., WR): 4 catches for 132 yds. (33.0 ypr), 2 TDs
Key Defensive Players:
• #99 Charles Tuaau (Sr., DT): 4 tackles (4 solo), 3.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks
• #33 Charles Woods (Jr., LB): 10 tackles (8 solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
• #54 Leo Migo (Sr., LB): 5 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 TFL
• #25 Cameron Napoleon (So., DB): 5 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 TFL, 1 PBU
• #98 Brandon Turner (Sr., DE): 2 tackles (2 solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sack
Synopsis: Texas A&M-Commerce rewrote both the program and Division II record books last week in a 98-20 rout of East Texas Baptist in its 2014 season opener. The Lions racked up nearly 1,000 yards of total offense (590 passing, 396 rushing) against the Division III foe as QB Tyrik Rollison set a school record throwing for 562 yards and six touchdowns. A&M-Commerce boasts the reigning LSC Defensive Player (Charles Tuaau) and Wide Receiver (Vernon Johnson) of the Year as Tuaau was also tabbed the preseason LSC Defensive Player of the Year. Tuaau notched 59 tackles in 2013, including 12.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss, both of which ranked among the national leaders, while Johnson reeled in a program-record 1,350 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
SERIES HISTORY
SFA and A&M-Commerce renew an old rivalry Saturday as the longtime Lone Star Conference rivals will meet for the 57th time. The Lions dominated the series, holding a 43-12-1 edge all-time which including winning streaks of 14 (1930-47), seven (1957-63) and six games (1967-72). The Lumberjacks won the last meeting between the two, a 48-21 victory at Homer Bryce Stadium in 2000, which was the first time the ‘Jacks and Lions had met since SFA left the Lone Star Conference in 1983. The ‘Jacks are 3-3 all-time against the Lions at Homer Bryce Stadium, notching victories in 1978 (23-0), 1982 (17-14) and 2000 (48-21).
JOHNSON, LUMBERJACKS RUN OVER INCARNATE WORD
Senior running back Gus Johnson had a game for the record books, rushing for 252 yards and four touchdowns as SFA ran over Incarnate Word 38-3 in the 2014 home opener. Johnson’s performance was the second-best single-game rushing performance in Lumberjack program history, trailing only the 289-yard effort by Isiah Stoker against Jacksonville State in 1999. Johnson reeled off two first quarter touchdowns, taking one in from 14 yards out, then breaking up the middle for a 49-yard scamper to but the ‘Jacks up 14-0 after one. That score would hold until the third when the Cardinals trimmed into the deficit with a field goal to close the gap to 14-3. Johnson then put the game out of reach, notching a 47-yard touchdown run in the third before opening the fourth with a six-yard plunge, capping an 11-play, 96-yard drive. Zach Conque then notched his first collegiate touchdown pass, connecting 16 yards to Marquis Mosley, followed by a 21-yard field goal by Jordan Wiggs to give SFA the 38-3 final margin. It was the seventh-straight victory in a home opener for the ‘Jacks as SFA has notched a 51-point margin of victory during that span.
JOHNSON ETCHES HIS NAME INTO LUMBERJACK RECORD BOOK
Senior running back Gus Johnson stole the show Saturday night against Incarnate Word, rewriting the record book in the process. With his four touchdowns against the Cardinals, Johnson became SFA’s all-time career rushing touchdown leader, upping his career tally to 33 moving past Leonard Harris (1992-95). Johnson did it in significantly fewer games than Harris as he accomplished the feat in just 33 games while Harris needed 44 to set the record. It was the third four-touchdown game of Johnson’s SFA career as he is now tied for second all-time in career touchdowns with 34 (33 rush, one receiving), trailing Cordell Roberson’s (2009-12) 39 receiving scores. Johnson also became just the sixth player in SFA program history to eclipse the 2,500-yard plateau as his 252-yard performance gives him 2,502 career rushing yards, siting sixth all-time in program history.
JOHNSON NAMED CONFERENCE/NATIONAL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
It came as little surprise that Gus Johnson was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week on September 8th, following his career night against Incarnate Word. The Gilmer native set a personal-best with 252 rushing yards on 25 carries, the second-best single-game rushing performance in SFA history, notching four touchdowns in the process for his third four-touchdown performance. Johnson became the ‘Jacks all-time career rushing touchdown leader in the process, earning the third SLC weekly honor of his career. His efforts were good enough to catch some national attention as well as Johnson was named the Sports Network FCS National Co-Offensive Player of the Week.
CLOSING IN ON 200
One of the key leaders that has emerged among the SFA defensive unit is senior linebacker Collin Garrett and the Beaumont native has made his presence felt early in 2014. Garrett had eight tackles against the Cardinals as the three-year starter is one tackle shy of eclipsing 200 for his Lumberjack career, sitting at 96 solo tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also tallied the fifth interception of his career and his second in as many games, picking off a hail mary attempt off Incarnate Word quarterback Taylor Woods to end the first half.
WATCH OUT FOR WIGGS
Senior kicker Jordan Wiggs has been a constant in the SFA special teams unit for the past three years and his consistency has him on the cusp of history. Wiggs recorded eight points in the victory over Incarnate Word Saturday, going five-for-five in extra points while adding a 21-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, upping his career point total to 280. Sitting second all-time in career points in SFA history, Wiggs is just 20 points shy of Chuck Rawlison, the ‘Jacks’ all-time points leader, who recorded 300 points from 1988-91. The Grand Prairie native already ranks first all-time in program history in PATs made (135), attempted (142) and field goals made (48) while ranking second in field goals attempted (65), third in field goal percentage (73.8%) and fifth in PAT percentage (95.1%)
WARD CRACKS TOP-10 FOR CAREER RECEPTIONS
Senior wide receiver DJ Ward joined an elite group Saturday evening after pulling down a pair of catches against Incarnate Word. The two receptions upped his career total to 127, moving him into 10th-place all-time in SFA program history for career receptions. Ward, who has averaged 61.5 receptions over the past two seasons, could make a serious threat at cracking the top-five as he currently sits 10 catches shy of ninth-place Anthony Dingle (1999-02) and is 15 back of eighth-place Aaron Rhea (2006-09). If Ward continues his current pace of 61 receptions per season, he would be on track to finish his SFA career with approximately 185 career receptions, which would put him fourth all-time behind Duane Brooks’ (2008-09) 186 catches.
BOYD JOINS THE 100-CATCH CLUB
Senior wide receiver Tyler Boyd pulled down a team-best six catches for 82 yards against Incarnate Word Saturday, joining the SFA 100-catch club in the process. The Daingerfield native now has 100 receptions for 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns in his Lumberjack career, coming off his impressive 2013 performance when he pulled in 79 catches for 1,183 yards, both of which rank second all-time in the SFA single season record books.
For the complete weekly release, click the PDF link above.
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