Stephen F. Austin
Central Arkansas
Late Bear Rally Does In Lumberjacks, 36-24
11/7/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Central Arkansas 36, Stephen F. Austin 24
Estes Stadium | Conway, Ark.
Records: SFA (3-6, 3-4 SLC); UCA (6-3, 6-1 SLC)
Up Next: vs. Houston Baptist | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 3 p.m.
CONWAY, Ark. – Stephen F. Austin built a 24-17 lead late in the third quarter, but 19 unanswered points by Central Arkansas in a seven and a half minute span proved to be too much as the Lumberjack drop a 36-24 decision to the Bears at Estes Stadium.
The loss halts SFA’s three-game winning streak as the ‘Jacks fall to 3-6 on the season and 3-4 in Southland Conference play. UCA remains in the hunt for a conference title, improving to 6-3 on the year and 6-1 in conference action.
The Lumberjacks managed just 399 yards of total offense against the UCA defense, throwing for 279 while rushing for 120. The Bears finished the game with 522 yards of total offense running a balanced attack, throwing for 302 yards while rushing for 220 in the victory.
Quarterback Zach Conque had a decent performance in his return to Arkansas, throwing for 279 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 18 and a score. But his two interceptions helped spark the Bear rally as the Lumberjack receivers were plagued by drops, completing 26 of his 48 attempts.
Joshawa West just missed a 100-yard rushing game, finishing with 90 yards on nine carries. Loren Easly struggled to get any traction on the afternoon, rushing eight times for just 12 yards.
Aaron Piper and Robert Sylvester led the way with six catches each with Piper racking up 54 yards and Sylvester hauling in 45. Liggins’ four catches went for 26 yards while Judah Jones had the most receving yards, racking up 58 yards on three catches.
Defensively, Justin Owens led the way for the ‘Jacks with 10 tackles on the night, including six unassisted. Allen Stewart posted eight stops (five solo) with Ahmad Muhammad finishing with seven tackles on the day.
SFA struggled through first part of the opening quarter, spotting UCA a 10-0 lead and was outgained 114-7 through its first two offensive drives. The Bears converted a 32-yard field goal, then had a 55-yard touchdown rush, accounting for the early lead.
Conque then led the ‘Jacks on an extended drive, covering 61 yards on 12 plays as Mason Juhl punched through a 33-yard field goal, getting SFA on the board trailing 10-3.
Central Arkansas’ return team then mishandled the ensuing kickoff, putting the ball on the striped turf where SFA recovered, giving the ‘Jacks excellent field position at the Bear 17-yard line. SFA covered the remaining yardage in six plays, capped by Conque’s one-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 10-10 with 12:37 left in the second half.
After exchanging possessions, including a three-and-out for UCA, the Lumberjacks were once again gifted with a botched return as the Bears once again coughed up the return, giving SFA the ball at the UCA 21. The ‘Jacks were able to get to the 10, but three-straight passes into the endzone were dropped, forcing SFA to settle for the 27-yard field goal from Juhl, giving the ‘Jacks the 13-10 lead with 7:04 to go.
On UCA’s ensuing possession, it looked as if SFA had the Bears stopped with another three-and-out, but a fake punt on fourth down was just beyond the first down sticks, giving UCA new life. The Bears took advantage, moving down the field and converting on third and goal from the one, giving UCA the 17-13 halftime lead.
SFA was able to move the ball on its first drive of the second half, thanks in part to a big 47-yard spark by West to get the ‘Jacks inside the redzone. But SFA once again was forced to settle for a field goal as a 25-yarder by Juhl cut the deficit to one at 17-16.
SFA’s defense made key stops at crucial times in the third quarter, keeping UCA off the board for the majority of the third, aided in part by a missed 43-yard field goal by the Bears. The Lumberjacks took advantage, covering 80 yards on four plays, highlighted by a 33-yard rush by Conque, followed by a 45-yard touchdown strike from Conque to West. The quarterback then punched in the two-point conversion, giving SFA the 24-17 lead with 3:28 left in the first.
Central Arkansas responded in kind, scoring three plays later, but still trailed 24-23 following a blocked extra point attempt. The Bears then caught the Lumberjacks by surprise, recovering an onside kick and marching down the field in three more plays, taking a 29-24 with 1:08 left in the third following a failed two point attempt.
SFA began the fourth quarter threatening in UCA territory, but a Conque pass intended for Liggins was intercepted at the nine-yard line. The Bears then went 90 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 21-yard touchdown rush to push the lead to 36-24 with 9:54 to play, their third touchdown in a span of seven and a half minutes.
Both defenses then controlled the final 10 minutes of play as neither offense was able to generate much productivity. SFA had three chances to trim into the lead down by 12, but one drive ended on an interception and the other two stalled on fourth down as the ‘Jacks drop their third-straight to the Bears.
Despite the lost, Conque continued to move up among the all-time SFA greats in a number of categories. He is now in sole possession of sixth all-time in career rushing touchdowns (21) and completions (397), while moving into eighth all-time in career passing yards (4,228). He is all alone in ninth in career passing touchdowns (27) while sitting eighth in career total offense (5,307).
The Lumberjacks fall to 3-7 all-time against Central Arkansas and are now 1-4 in Conway. It also thwarts SFA’s attempt to win four-straight games for the first time since the 2011 season.
SFA returns to action next Saturday in the 2015 home finale at Homer Bryce Stadium, hosting Houston Baptist. The game against the Huskies marks Senior Day for the 14 Lumberjack seniors with the game also serving as Military Appreciation Day. Kickoff against HBU is set for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast worldwide on ESPN3.
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