Stephen F. Austin
SFA Football Spring Game
Lumberjack Defense Dominates Spring Game
4/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Continuing the theme from the duration of spring workouts, defense dominated the 2015 Purple vs. White game, registering a 109-52 victory using the modified scoring system. SFA's defense finished with 12 sacks and 18 tackles for loss on the night, allowing just three offensive touchdowns.
"I've been very pleased with the defense throughout the spring, and my biggest fear is that they get a false sense of security," said head coach Clint Conque. "Our defensive front has dominated, and they did here tonight. Offensively we had a few nice plays, but the inconsistency is something we need to get fixed."
SFA's defensive front caused havoc all night to record the dozen sacks, four of which came from Kedrick Harrison, who finished with five total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Jamal Allen had a pair of sacks, recording them on back-to-back plays at the end of the first half, with Price Miller, Lamont Alexander, John Franklin, Darrell Vanerson and Maurice Rivers each recording one a piece. Tre Rosser and Justin Owens combined for the final sack of the night.
The Lumberjack defensive unit also registered 18 tackles for loss, led by 4.5 from Harrison and 2.0 each from Alexander and Allen. SFA's purple shirts also forced a pair of interceptions on the night, registered by Marlon Walls and Zack Starnes.
Miller led the way defensively with nine tackles, seven of which were solo stops, with Ryan Woods adding eight stops (five solo) and Chance Barney and Alex Miller posting six each.
As an offense, SFA managed 405 yards on 95 plays, including 286 yards through the air. Zach Conque finished 19-of-28 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while also leading the team in rushing, racking up 65 yards on 13 carries.
Hunter Taylor was 13-of-17 for 54 yards for the Lumberjacks with Jacke Gnacinski going 3-of-5 for for 13 yards and Ben Arbuckle completing one of his two passes for nine yards.
Robert Sylvester led the SFA receiving corps, hauling in six passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, outrunning the defense for a 68-yarder in the second quarter, then closing the game with a 19-yard reception in the final minute.
Joshawa West had a game-high eight receptions for 32 yards with Justice Liggins pulling in four catches for 23 yards. 14 different players pulled in at least one catch on the night for the Lumberjacks.
On the ground, SFA managed 119 yards on 43 carries, led by Conque's 65 yards. West rushed seven times for 19 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Fred Ford carried six times for 18 yards as well for the `Jacks.
Mason Juhl also had a strong performance in his bid to take over the placekicking duties for the Lumberjacks hitting both a 25 and 35-yard field goal to bookend the spring scrimmage.
With the 2015 Spring Game now in the books, it brings to a close SFA's spring practice schedule as the Lumberjacks officially begin turning their attention towards the fall. A lot of good things were accomplished in the spring, but Conque admits the Lumberjacks still have plenty to work on.
"Certainly some strides have been made, but we're nowhere near where we need to be," Conque said. "The good news is that we still have time -- we've got four months to get things corrected and polished, and we're looking forward to some strong summer workouts, beginning with our returners then bringing in the freshmen later on."
The 2015 season gets underway on Saturday, September 5th, when the Lumberjacks play host to former Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State at Homer Bryce Stadium. SFA then visits national powerhouse TCU on September 12th in Fort Worth before opening up its nine-game Southland Conference slate.
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