Stephen F. Austin
Abilene Christian
Lumberjacks Win Third-Straight, Hold off Wildcats 41-30
9/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Stephen F. Austin 41, Abilene Christian 30
Homer Bryce Stadium | Nacogdoches, Texas
Records: SFA (3-1, 2-0 SLC), ACU (0-4, 0-2 SLC)
Up Next: vs. Sam Houston State | Saturday, Oct. 1 | NRG Stadium
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Senior quarterback Hunter Taylor threw for a career-best 376 yards and four touchdowns as SFA raced out to a 38-7 lead on Abilene Christian, then held off a late Wildcat rally to earn the 41-30 win. The ‘Jacks pick up their third-straight win, improving to 3-1 on the year and 2-0 in Southland Conference play.
“We did some things well tonight, and there are definitely some things that we still need to work on,” said head coach Clint Conque. “I thought we got a little complacent and sloppy once we had the 38-7 lead, but credit our guys for making plays when it counted down the stretch. We close out the month of September at 3-1 and now the games get bigger from here on out.”
The victory marked the first time this season SFA outgained its opponent, finishing with 513 yards of total offense compared to 466 for Abilene Christian. Both teams struggled in the running game but the passing game took center stage with the Wildcats passing for 400 yards while the ‘Jacks racked up 398.
Taylor proved to be the sparkplug for the Lumberjacks, entering the game early in the first quarter and posting his career highs, completing 31 of his 46 passes with no interceptions. Seven of his completions went to senior Justice Liggins, who set a new career-best with 100 receiving yards on seven catches, marking the first 100-yard receiver for SFA this season.
Junior Trae Hart also had seven catches for 71 yards on the night as nine different receivers hauled in passes. Junior Nick Jones had his best night as Lumberjack, finishing with a pair of catches for 44 yards, both of which went for touchdowns. Freshman Tamrick Pace caught five passes for 55 yards, including an impressive one-handed touchdown snag in the first quarter, while redshirt freshman Kiki Hill had three receptions for 30 yards along with his first collegiate touchdown.
SFA finished with 115 rushing yards against ACU, led by 64 yards on 18 carries from senior Joshawa West. Junior Kijana Amous rushed five times for 18 yards, adding to his three catches for 51 yards, while Taylor scrambled for 16 yards on six carries.
Defensively, Price Miller led the way for the Lumberjacks with 15 tackles, registering a pair of tackles for loss and the game-clinching interception in the final minute. SFA pressured ACU quarterback Dallas Sealey all night, finishing with eight tackles for loss and three sacks, credited to Kedrick Harrison, Jamal Allen and John Franklin.
Turnovers also played a pivotal role in the Lumberjack win as SFA forced six Abilene Christian turnovers, including five forced fumbles.
Looking to build off last week’s win at McNeese, SFA’s offensive attack was on point early, racing out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter following Taylor touchdown passes to Jones (37 yards) and Pace (three yards).
That advantage increased to 28-0 late in the first half as Taylor and Jones connected once again for a seven-yard strike, followed by a three yard touchdown run from Zach Conque with 1:45 remaining. ACU got on the board late in the half, registering a touchdown with 22 seconds to go and trimming the Lumberjack halftime lead to 28-7.
As the third quarter progressed, it looked as if SFA had all but put the game away. Behind a 25 yard field goal from Storm Ruiz and an 18-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to Hill, the Lumberjack lead extended to 38-7 with 4:00 remaining in the third quarter.
However ACU showed its resilience, using a 93-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff to spark new life into the Wildcat sideline. Over the next 12 minutes, ACU outscored SFA 23-0, pulling to within one possession at 38-30 with 7:30 left on the clock.
A 20-yard field goal from Ruiz gave the ‘Jacks some breathing room with 5:17 left, pushing the lead back to a two-possession game at 41-30, before a defensive stop on fourth down and a late interception by Miller sealed the win for SFA.
The victory snaps a two-game losing skid to Abilene Christian since the Wildcats joined the Southland Conference and gives SFA its first win over its former Lone Star Conference rival since 1999. The ‘Jacks also improve to 22-11 all-time on Parents Weekend and remain in the thick of the Southland Conference race, sitting at 2-0 in conference play.
The win sets up what should be quite the showdown next week as SFA makes the annual trip to NRG Stadium next weekend for the 91st installment of the Battle of the Piney Woods. Both SFA and Sam Houston State sit at 2-0 in SLC play as the ‘Jacks will look to snap their five-game losing streak to the rival Bearkats. Kickoff for the 91st installment of the Battle of the Piney Woods is set for 3 p.m.
-SFA-
