Saturday, November 18
Natchitoches, La. (Turpin Stadium)
3:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
at
Northwestern State
‘Jacks Wrap Up Regular Season with 52nd Battle for Chief Caddo at Northwestern State
11/16/2017 6:02:00 AM | Football
SFA takes on Northwestern State Saturday in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to retain the largest traveling trophy in all of sports, looks to close out season on high note
Stephen F. Austin (4-6, 4-4 Southland) at Northwestern State (3-7, 3-5 Southland)
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 | 3 p.m. | Turpin Stadium | Natchitoches, La.
Listen (Q107.7) | Watch – NSUDemons.com ($) | Live Stats | Game Notes
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017 | 3 p.m. | Turpin Stadium | Natchitoches, La.
Listen (Q107.7) | Watch – NSUDemons.com ($) | Live Stats | Game Notes
THE KICKOFF
The 2017 season will come to a close for the Stephen F. Austin football team Saturday, Nov. 18 in Natchitoches, Louisiana, as the Lumberjacks take on the Demons of Northwestern State in a classic Southland Conference matchup for the 52nd Battle for Chief Caddo. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. from inside Turpin Stadium as the two teams will meet for the 74th time. With the two schools separated by just 111 miles, SFA and Northwestern State square off annually for one of the most unique rivalries in all of college football. The Battle for Chief Caddo, which has pitted the two border rivals for the final game of the regular season since 1984, features the largest sporting trophy in the world. The Chief Caddo statue, who the 'Jacks and Demons will duke it out for on Saturday, stands at 7-foot-6 and weighs 320 pounds. The game will be the first contest SFA has played in the Pelican State in 2017 and will bring to a close the 91st season of Lumberjack football.
FOLLOWING THE LUMBERJACKS
Saturday's game at Northwestern State will be streamed live exclusively on NSUDemons.com with Patrick Netherton providing play-by-play of the broadcast. A paid subscription is required but a 24-hour all-access pass can be purchased for $6.95. Rob Meyers, the voice of the Lumberjacks, will call the game along with color commentator Kevin Langford on Q107.7 FM, available online at Q1077.com as well as through the Lumberjack Sports Network on the TuneIn app. Live stats will be available at NSUDemons.com, complemented by Twitter updates from @SFA_Football.
BATTLE FOR CHIEF CADDO - THE HISTORY
The Chief Caddo statue originated in 1960 when the longtime rivals decided to award the winner of the game a trophy. The two institutions settled on a statue of a legendary chief whose tribe was responsible for settling the locations that became English-speaking Nacogdoches and Natchitoches. The loser of the 1961 game would have a tree chopped down from its nearby forests, which would be sent to the winning school, who would have the statue carved. Northwestern State won that 1961 game 35-19, and SFA delivered a one-ton black gum log to Natchitoches. Woodcarver Harold Green spent 230 hours fashioning the statue. The iconic statue was named Chief Caddo to honor the Indian tribe that not only settled the two communities, but provided safety for the early white settlers in the area. Historians say had it not been for the Caddo Indians, the Spanish and French colonists who came to the area would not have survived the onslaughts of Apache and Comanche warriors from the west, and the Natchez from the east. Also, French and Spanish writers of the time said it was certain, wise Caddo chiefs made it possible for the two European colonies to live as neighbors while their mother countries were at war against each other. Since the first Chief Caddo game in 1961, Northwestern State holds a 30-20-1 (.598) edge in the history of the Chief, but SFA has held the upper hand in recent years, retaining possession of the trophy in six of the last eight years. The Chief currently resides at home in Nacogdoches following the Lumberjacks' convincing 45-31 win over the Demons in last year's finale.
ABOUT THE GAME
Coming off a disappointing 34-13 defeat to 17th-ranked Nicholls inside Homer Bryce Stadium last weekend on senior day, the 'Jacks look to close out their 2017 campaign with an exclamation point in a historic rivalry. SFA still has a chance to finish with five league wins for the first time since the 2014 season when head coach Clint Conque led the 'Jacks to the NCAA FCS playoffs in his first year at the helm. Additionally, SFA is attempting to finish in the top half of the conference for the sixth time since 2009 as the 'Jacks tied for fifth in 2015, tied for third in 2014, tied for fourth in 2012, were third in 2011, captured the Southland title in 2010 and tied for the league crown in 2009. Currently sitting in sixth place in the Southland with a 4-4 conference record, SFA has a chance to finish tied for fifth with a win at Northwestern State Saturday and a Southeastern Louisiana home loss to No. 17 Nicholls. The Lions are in fifth place in the league standings with a 5-3 conference record. A victory over the Demons would mark the fourth time in the last eight seasons the 'Jacks have claimed five Southland wins in the same year, last doing so with a 5-3 conference mark in 2014. SFA will be making its first trip into the state of Louisiana since October of 2016. The 'Jacks have faced two other Southland opponents from the Pelican State this season, McNeese State on Sept. 30 and Nicholls last weekend, with both games taking place in Nacogdoches. Falling at home to Southern Utah (51-14), No. 25 McNeese (35-0) and No. 17 Nicholls (24-13), and on the road at sixth-ranked Central Arkansas (24-20), SFA is seeking its first victory over an out-of-state opponent this season. The 52nd Battle of the Piney Woods will be just the second game the Lumberjacks have played outside of Texas this fall.
AGAINST STIFF COMPETITION
The six teams that have defeated SFA this season currently own a combined 48-12 overall record for a winning percentage of .800. Southern Utah, who the 'Jacks faced in their home opener, are 8-2, are ranked 18th nationally and are currently tied for first in the ultra-competitive Big Sky Conference with three wins over nationally-ranked opponents. SMU, SFA's FBS opponent to open up the 2017 season, is bowl eligible with a 6-4 record and a 3-3 mark in American Athletic Conference play. The Lumberjacks' other four losses have come against teams that are currently ranked in the top-19 in the nation, including now third-ranked Central Arkansas, No. 4 Sam Houston State, 17th-ranked Nicholls and No. 19 McNeese. All four have won at least eight games this season and have suffered just six combined Southland losses.
SCOUTING THE DEMONS
2017: 3-7 overall, 3-5 Southland Conference (7th)
Last Three Games: Loss at No. 18 McNeese (44-24), Win vs. Abilene Christian (26-23 OT), Win at Houston Baptist (10-7)
Head Coach: Jay Thomas (Southern Mississippi, 1988). Fifth season at Northwestern State (20-38, .345); 11th season overall (47-71, .398)
Key Offensive Players:
• #4 Clay Holgorsen (Jr., QB): 100-of-176 (56.8%) for 1,117 yds., 6 TDs, 43-yd. long, 124.1 yds. per game, 6 INTs
• #20 Chris Jones (Sr., RB): 146 carries for 628 yds., 4.3 yds. per rush, 5 TDs, 90-yd. long, 62.8 yds. per game
• #21 Jared West (So., RB): 57 carries for 281 yds., 4.9 yds. per rush, 3 TDs, 62-yd. long, 28.1 yds. per game
• #8 Jaylen Watson (Jr., WR): 28 catches for 433 yds., 15.5 yds. per catch, 3 TDs, 74-yd. long, 43.3 yds. per game
• #1 Bobby Chan-Chan (Sr., WR): 27 catches for 420 yds., 15.6 yds. per catch, 2 TDs, 52.5 yds. per game, 44-yd. long
• #3 Marquisian Chapman (Jr., WR): 30 catches for 299 yds., 10 yds. per catch, 2 TDs, 39-yd. long, 29.9 yds. per game
• #85 Cameron Lazare (Sr., WR): 34 catches for 297 yds., 8.7 yds. per catch, 1 TD, 29.7 yds. per game, 16-yd. long
Key Defensive Players:
• #15 Nick Pierotti (Sr., LB): 77 tackles (33 solo), 5.0 TFL for -6 yds., 1 pass breakup, 1 QBH, 2 fumble recoveries
• #43 Peyton Guidry (Sr., LB): 70 tackles (40 solo), 5.0 TFL for -21 yds., 2.5 sacks for -12 yds., 1 INT for 3 yds., 2 pass breakups, 2 QBH, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery
• #38 Chrishard Buhl (Sr., LB): 63 tackles (31 solo), 6.5 TFL for -18 yds., 1.0 sack for -7 yds., 3 pass breakups, 2 QBH, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
• #8 Ryan Reed (So., S): 60 tackles (44 solo), 2.0 TFL for -12 yds., 1 pass breakup, 2 forced fumbles
• #10 Austin Balthazor (Sr., S): 58 tackles (34 solo), 2.0 TFL for -5 yds., 4 pass breakups
• #94 Zak Krolczyk (Jr., DE): 37 tackles (15 solo), 8.0 TFL for -42 yds., 5.0 sacks for -28 yds.
• #46 Obinna Iheoma (Jr., DE): 31 tackles (19 solo), 10.5 TFL for -40 yds., 7.5 sacks for -36 yds., 11 QBH, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked FG
OPPONENT SYNOPSIS
Led by fifth-year head coach Jay Thomas, the Demons have had a strenuous schedule with some notable close losses. Just like SFA, Northwestern State has taken on the four ranked Southland teams this season, three of which were on the road. The Demons lost by just four points (14-10) at then 25th-ranked Nicholls as the Colonels scored a touchdown in the final minutes of the game and then stopped Northwestern State on its final drive to prevent the upset. At then ninth-ranked Sam Houston State, the Demons took the Bearkats down to the wire. Leading 36-34 with just over two minutes to go, Northwestern State witnessed Walter Payton Award winner Jeremiah Briscoe and the top-rated offense in the nation go 96 yards in six plays to complete a 17-point comeback after trailing 24-7 in the first half. The Demons were also defeated 45-17 at home by then No. 6 Central Arkansas and fell 44-24 last Saturday at 18th-ranked McNeese. Just like SFA, Northwestern State enters Saturday's 52nd Battle for Chief Caddo having won two of its last three games. On Oct. 28 the Demons picked up a defensively-influenced 10-7 victory at Houston Baptist, before claiming a 26-23 overtime home win against Abilene Christian, kicking a field goal in the extra period and getting a Wildcat miss to clinch the triumph. Northwestern State is 2-2 inside Turpin Stadium this fall after also defeating Lamar 35-28 back on Sept. 16. Statistically, the Demons have the fifth-best passing offense in the league this season, averaging 223.1 yards through the air per game, while controlling the ball on an average of 31:51 per contest for the second-best time of possession in the Southland. Defensively, Northwestern State relies heavily on its senior linebacker corps comprised of its top three tacklers. Seniors Nick Pierotti (77), Peyton Guidry (70) and Chrishard Buhl (63) have combined for 210 of the Demons' 758 total tackles this season (28%) and have totaled 104 solo stops as a group.
SERIES INFORMATION
Northwestern State owns a 44-26-3 (.377) advantage in the all-time series between the 'Jacks and Demons, however, SFA is 9-8 in the Battle for Chief Caddo this millennium. The 'Jacks have won six of the last eight matchups and are 6-4 over the previous 10 meetings. Neither team has won more than seven consecutive games in the series with Northwestern State owning two seven-game win streaks (last, 1976-82). SFA's longest win streak in the rivalry game is four, achieved most recently from 2009-12. Saturday, the 'Jacks will be seeking their first win in Natchitoches since Nov. 19, 2011, when SFA throttled the Demons 33-0. The last trip to Natchitoches for the 'Jacks on Nov. 21, 2015, resulted in a 33-17 loss in Turpin Stadium. Northwestern State and SFA first met on Nov. 7, 1924, as the Demons came away with a low-scoring 7-3 win in Nacogdoches. In fact, Northwestern State won eight of the first 10 meetings in the series. The two teams played to an improbable 0-0 tie on Nov. 2, 1934, and the 'Jacks picked up a unique 2-0 victory three years later in Natchitoches on Nov. 5, 1937. All-time, SFA is 13-18-1 (.422) in away games against the Demons, 12-20-1 (.379) at home and 1-6-1 (.188) in neutral site contests with Northwestern State.
COACH CONQUE AGAINST HIS HOMELAND
Saturday's 52nd Battle for Chief Caddo in Natchitoches marks the 12th time coach Conque has taken on a team from his home state since he took over the Lumberjack football program prior to the 2014 season. A native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Conque is 7-4 at SFA against Pelican State schools with his last win coming a year ago during the 51st Battle for Chief Caddo. Coach Conque has gone 4-2 when visiting Louisiana as the Lumberjacks' lead man, most recently dropping a 35-28 overtime decision at Nicholls after pulling off a 31-28 upset of 13th-ranked McNeese last September. Conque is 2-1 in Battle for Chief Caddo games.
'JACKS ON NOV. 18
For the ninth time in program history the 'Jacks will suit up on Nov. 18. SFA is 1-6-1 in such games and, coincidently, its lone win and tie on the date have come against Northwestern State. The last time the 'Jacks played on Nov. 18 was in 2000 when SFA recorded a 17-3 win inside Homer Bryce Stadium. SFA also tied the Demons 17-17 in 1989 at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches. The 'Jacks first played on the date in 1927, suffering a 27-6 loss at West Texas A&M.
THANK YOU SENIORS
Saturday will be the final time 10 Lumberjack seniors will suit up in the Purple and White. SFA will bid farewell to running back Kijana Amous (Mansfield, Texas), cornerback Aaron Foy (Kilgore, Texas), defensive end John Franklin (Greenville, Texas), wide receiver Trae Hart (Mesquite, Texas), offensive lineman Josh Keith (Katy, Texas), cornerback Tarrin Mitchell (Dallas, Texas), cornerback Trent Perriman (Miami, Fla.), offensive lineman Jaxon Salinas (Irving, Texas), tight end Will Taylor (Euless, Texas) and safety Marlon Walls (Pearland, Texas).
WALLS A NATIONAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE
Senior safety Marlon Walls was named one of 13 finalists for the coveted National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame's 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy®. Along with being named a finalist, Walls became a member of the elite NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. He is the first Lumberjack in program history to be named a finalist for the prestigious award and is just the ninth Southland Conference student-athlete to earn the designation of NFF National Scholar-Athlete. Walls will receive a $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and will travel to New York City for the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 5, where his accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. The awards dinner, along with a press conference that morning, will be streamed live on ESPN3.
FRANKLIN HEADED TO NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL
Senior defensive end John Franklin was invited to participate in the seventh annual National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Collegiate Bowl, held at the legendary Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018. Franklin is one of just seven players from the Southland who appeared on the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Watch List and will have the opportunity to attend NFLPA University. A program that provides important information to aid in the transition into professional football from college life. The week-long experience culminates with the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl as Franklin will have the opportunity to showcase his game to NFL scouts, coaches, former stars and organization personnel. The premier postseason all-star game will be broadcast live on FOX Sports 1.
COACH CONQUE TIED FOR THIRD ALL-TIME IN SOUTHLAND VICTORIES
Head coach Clint Conque continues to climb the all-time career Southland coaching victories top-10 list. The 34-7 win at Lamar on Oct. 28 was Conque's 50th career Southland win as he is now just one game shy of tying former Sam Houston State head coach Ron Randleman (1987-2004, 51-59-2), who sits in second place on the all-time career list. Conque is 50-33 (.602) in Southland contests since 2007, having posted a 33-16 record in the league while at the helm of Central Arkansas from 2007-13 and owning a 17-17 conference mark since arriving in Nacogdoches.
FRANKLIN MOVING UP THE CAREER LISTS
John Franklin has amassed 16.5 sacks in 40 games played throughout his four-year career and has totaled 34.5 total tackles for loss. He is in currently sixth on SFA's all-time career tackles for loss list and ninth in program history in all-time career sacks. Franklin has a chance to climb even higher on the all-time lists as he is just two TFL shy of Kenneth Charles' (2007-10) 36.5 career TFL and is three sacks behind Keith Melcher (1985-88), who is eighth in school history with 19.5 career sacks.
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