SFA Second, Fourth in SLC Preseason Polls
7/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Stephen F. Austin has earned high regard from Southland Conference sports information directors and coaches as the Lumberjacks have been picked second and fourth, respectively, in the 2015 SLC preseason polls. The polls were released in conjunction with 2015 SLC Football Media Day at L’auberge Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Among the league’s sports information directors, SFA tallied 87 total points, second only to Piney Woods rival Sam Houston State’s 99 points, including nine first place votes. The ‘Jacks finished 10 points better than third place Southeastern Louisiana (77 pts.) with McNeese State (75 pts.) and Central Arkansas (66 pts.) rounding out the top five as the Cowboys and Bears each received a first-place vote.
The Lumberjacks check in at fourth in the vote among the league’s coaches with 73 total points, six points back of third-place McNeese State’s 79 and 13 points better than fifth-place Northwestern State (60 pts.). Sam Houston State was the coaches’ pick to win the conference, garnering 98 total points and eight first-place votes, with Southeastern Louisiana checking in at second with 86 points and a first-place vote.
SFA is coming off a memorable 2014 season as the Lumberjacks saw a five-win improvement, going 8-5 overall and 5-3 in SLC play in the first season under head coach Clint Conque. The ‘Jacks’ qualified for the NCAA FCS playoffs for the seventh time in program history with SFA notching a pair of victories over top-10 foes.
Heading into 2015, the Lumberjacks have also caught the attention of national polls, ranking in the top-25 in a number of preseason publications. SFA opens the 2015 campaign with a battle of Lumberjacks on Saturday, September 5, hosting Northern Arizona at 6 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium.
2015 SLC Preseason Polls
Sports Information Directors
1. Sam Houston State (9) – 99 pts.
2. Stephen F. Austin – 87 pts.
3. Southeastern Louisiana – 77 pts.
4. McNeese State (1) – 75 pts.
5. Central Arkansas (1) – 66 pts.
6. Northwestern State – 51 pts.
7. Abilene Christian – 48 pts.
8. Lamar – 41 pts.
9. Incarnate Word – 25 pts.
10. Nicholls – 20 pts.
11. Houston Baptist – 12 pts.
Coaches
1. Sam Houston State (8) – 98 pts.
2. Southeastern Louisiana (1) – 86 pts.
3. McNeese State (1) – 79 pts.
4. Stephen F. Austin – 73 pts.
5. Northwestern State – 60 pts.
6. Central Arkansas (1) – 57 pts.
7. Abilene Christian – 49 pts.
8. Lamar – 46 pts.
9. Incarnate Word – 26 pts.
10. Nicholls – 16 pts.
11. Houston Baptist – 15 pts.
-SFA-
