Stephen F. Austin Faces SMU in Annual FBS Matchup to Open Up 2017 Campaign

Saturday, September 2

Dallas, Texas (Gerald J. Ford Stadium)

6:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

SMU

Photo by: Hardy Meredith | SFA Photography

Stephen F. Austin Faces SMU in Annual FBS Matchup to Open Up 2017 Campaign

8/30/2017 12:06:00 PM | Football

The ‘Jacks are looking to end a streak of four-straight opening day losses

By: Luke Bolanos | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

THE KICKOFF
Stephen F. Austin begins the 2017 football season Saturday, Sept. 2, with a week one matchup against FBS opponent Southern Methodist University out of the American Athletic Conference. The Lumberjacks will kick-off their 91st season of football from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, near downtown Dallas.

FOLLOWING THE LUMBERJACKS
Saturday's game against SMU will be streamed live online at ESPN3, available at ESPN3.com or through the WatchESPN app on mobile devices. 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 SMUMustangs.com, complemented by Twitter updates @SFA_Football.

ABOUT THE GAME
The season opener for both teams will be featured as a "Salute To Our Heroes" game, honoring all active military members and veterans. Additionally, in light of the recent weather-related events in southern Texas due to Hurricane Harvey, SMU is offering those displaced by the storm free tickets and concessions vouchers for Saturday's tilt at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

THIRD TIME'S A CHARM?
SFA will battle SMU for the third time in program history as the 'Jacks have made the trip to University Park twice in the last decade. Both visits to Ford Stadium in Dallas have not gone well for SFA with the Mustangs claiming two victories. The 'Jacks will attempt to flip the script Saturday with their third contest at SMU since 2009. On Sept. 5, 2009, SFA was edged by the Mustangs as SMU rallied from a nine-point, 23-14 deficit in the fourth quarter, scoring 17 unanswered points in the final 14 minutes of the game on a 53-yard field goal and a pair of rushing touchdowns. Three years later, the 'Jacks went back to Dallas on Sept. 8, 2012, falling 52-0 after committing a total of 10 turnovers, which led to 35 Mustang points.

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS | ROSTER | SCHEDULE | STATISTICS (2016)
2016: 5-7 overall, 3-5 American Athletic Conference (8th)
Last Three Games (2016): Loss vs. Navy (75-31), Loss vs. South Florida (35-27), Won at East Carolina (55-31)
Head Coach: Chad Morris (Texas A&M, 1992). Third season at SMU (7-17, .292); Third season overall (7-17, .292).
Key Offensive Players (2016 Stats):
• #16 Courtland Sutton (Jr., WR): 76 catches for 1,246 yds., 10 TDs, 103.8 yds. per game
• #6 Braeden West (Jr., RB): 202 rushes for 1,036 yds., 6 TDs
• #8 Ben Hicks (So., QB): 234-of-422 (55.5%) for 2,930 yds., 19 TDs, 15 INTs
• #13 Ke'Mon Freeman (So., RB): 154 rushes for 651 yds., 6 TDs
• #3 James Proche (So., WR): 57 catches for 709 yds., 6 TDs
Key Defensive Players:
• #99 Justin Lawler (Sr., DE): 65 tackles (45 solo), 15.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 7 QBH
• #11 Kyran Mitchell (Jr., LB): 67 tackles (48 solo), 6.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks
• #8 Rodney Clemons (So., S): 56 tackles (45 solo), 2.0 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 1 INTs, 4 breakups
• #15 Jordan Wyatt (Jr., CB): 50 tackles (39 solo), 3.0 TFL, 4 INTs, 7 breakups
• #10 Gary Demerick (So., DT): 21 tackles (18 solo), 7.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 2 breakups, 4 QBH

OPPONENT SYNOPSIS
Led by third-year head coach Chad Morris, SMU is coming off of a 5-7 campaign in 2016 in which the Mustangs finished eighth in the American Athletic Conference with a 3-5 league mark. Heisman Trophy candidate hopeful and Biletnikoff Preseason Watch List - given annually to the most outstanding receiver at the FBS level - member Courtland Sutton is one of the top wideouts in the entire nation and looks to lead the SMU offense once again this season. The junior was an All-AAC First Team selection in 2016 after having a record-setting season. Sutton tallied 1,246 receiving yards to set the sophomore single-season record and posted a SMU single-game record with 252 receiving yards against South Florida. He led the Mustangs in receptions (76), receiving touchdowns (10) and receiving yards, and was ranked in the top 20 nationally in receiving yards per game (103.8), total receiving yards and receptions
per game (6.3). Sutton was tabbed a preseason AP Second-Team All-American and is rated by some as the top wide receiver prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft. Coach Morris is looking to give the Mustangs their first winning season since 2012 and has improved SMU's record in each of his first two seasons after the team went a woeful 1-11 in 2014. Last year, the Mustangs started the year 2-1 with wins over North Texas and Liberty University, before pulling off a home upset of 11th-ranked Houston (38-16). It was the first victory for SMU over an opponent ranked No. 11 or higher since claiming the 1983 Cotton Bowl. Owning a rich football history, SMU has won three national championships, made 15 bowl appearances, and is one of only 44 schools to have been ranked No. 1 by the Associated Press. Furthermore, SMU is one of just 26 schools that can boast multiple national titles and a Heisman Trophy winner (Doak Walker, 1948). Last fall, the AP ranked SMU No. 55 in its All-Time Top 100 college football programs.

SERIES INFORMATION
SFA takes on SMU for the first time since 2012 and third time overall. The Mustangs hold a 2-0 lead in the series with both matchups taking place within the last eight years. The Mustangs won the two school's first meeting in 2009 by a score of 31-23, before SMU walked away with a takeaway-happy 52-0 victory in the 2012 version of series.

LAST TIME OUT: SFA 45, NORTHWESTERN STATE 31 (2016 SEASON FINALE)
SFA ended the 2016 season on a positive note, bringing Chief Caddo home to Nacogdoches in the 51st edition of the historic rivalry. Senior quarterback Zach Conque finished with 403 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in his final game wearing the Purple and White. The Little Rock, Arkansas, native passed for 283 yards and three scores while also rushing for a game-high 120 yards. Conque also helped seal the victory, catching a two-point conversion throw late in the fourth quarter for the final points of the 2016 season. Standout wide receiver Tamrick Pace, who had six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter, finished the game with eight catches for 142 yards. Cody Williams and redshirt freshman tight end Kiki Hill also hauled in touchdown passes for the 'Jacks as the duo each reeled in four passes on the night. SFA's rushing attack had its best performance of the year against the Demons, rushing for 298 yards and averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Following Conque's 120-yard performance, running back Kijana Amous posted his first 100-yard game, rushing 19 times for a career-high 103 yards, followed by a 64-yard, two-touchdown performance from Loren Easly. Defensively, the 'Jacks' defensive front was a force all night, posting six sacks and nine tackles for loss against Northwestern State. Kedrick Harrison closed his record-breaking SFA career with two tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in his collegiate finale, while Marlon Walls led the team with eight total tackles. Cornerback Trent Perriman came up big as well, registering a pair of interceptions, both of which led to scoring drives for the Lumberjacks. Playing for the largest traveling trophy in all of sports, SFA set the tone early with Perriman recording an interception on the first play of the game, setting up a 24-yard field goal from Storm Ruiz. Following the offensive showcase in the first half, defense gained the advantage in the third quarter with the lone scoring drive a five-play, 77-yard series from the 'Jacks, culminating in a 13-yard power touchdown rush by Easly. Holding a 16-point lead entering the fourth quarter, SFA quickly saw Northwestern State rattle off 10 unanswered points, trimming the lead to just one possession at 37-31 with 11:50 to play. With visions of the Demons' 2014 rally fresh in its mind, the 'Jacks put together the most crucial drive of the season with a 16-play, 90-yard drive that, most importantly, ran 8:07 off the clock. The series ended with Easly's second touchdown of the night, an 11-yard run straight up the gut, to push SFA's advantage to 12. Looking for some insurance, SFA went for two and ran the wide receiver sweep option as Williams' pass landed in the lap of Conque in the end zone, giving SFA a two-touchdown lead at 45-31. The 'Jacks registered a pair of sacks on Demon quarterback Brooks Haack to secure the victory.

LAST TIME AT SMU
The 'Jacks were victimized by miscues, dropping a 52-0 decision to SMU on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012 at Ford Stadium in Dallas. SFA turned the ball over 10 times, including six interceptions, and had two kicks blocked in the setback. SMU scored four non-offensive touchdowns in the victory. Despite a turnover and a penalty on their first two offensive plays, the 'Jacks had more success than their hosts at moving the ball in the opening quarter. SFA recorded 119 yards of total offense in the first 15 minutes, compared to 82 for SMU. Even SFA's highlights were turned into negative plays. Senior Gralyn Crawford recorded his 200th career reception on the first play of the game but he fumbled the ball away after a 16-yard gain. He became the first player in school history, and the third in Southland history to record 200 receptions. SFA outgained SMU 227-132 in the opening half, but miscues kept SFA off the scoreboard. The Lumberjack defense played well, despite being put in tough situations throughout the game. SFA held the Mustangs to 328 yards of total offense. SFA outgained their hosts, 466-328, on the night. Senior Ryan Epperson led the defensive effort with eight tackles, including seven solos. Senior Josh Aubrey entered Saturday's game with no career sacks, and recorded two against the Mustangs. Junior Brady Attaway completed 19 passes for 184 yards, and threw four interceptions, before leaving the game. Freshman Joe Minden completed 24 passes for a career-high 207 yards, but had two interceptions, in reserve. Senior Cordell Roberson led all receivers with 10 catches for 76 yards.

LUMBERJACKS IN SEASON OPENERS
SFA begins its 91st season of football Saturday as the 'Jacks have posted an all-time record of 47-38-5 (.550) in season openers. The 'Jacks are looking to end a streak of four-straight opening day losses, falling at Weber State (50-40) in 2013, at Kansas State (55-16) in 2014, against Northern Arizona (34-28) in 2015, and at Texas Tech (69-17) a year ago in 2016. It will be just the third time SFA has opened up its season against a current AAC school after being handed a 45-7 loss at Tulsa in 2007 and dropping a 31-23 decision at SMU in the Lumberjacks' 2009 debut. Both of those contests were played when SMU and Tulsa were members of Conference USA.

SFA AGAINST THE AAC
Saturday will mark the first time SFA has played an American Athletic Conference opponent since the league was formed out of the Big East Conference in 2013. The 'Jacks are 3-5 against current members of the AAC with their three wins coming combined against UCF and Houston. SFA defeated UCF 59-24 in Florida in 1985 and picked up two victories over Houston in the late 1940's, winning both at home (25-14, 1947) and on the road (21-13, 1948). Head Coach Clint Conque has only faced a current AAC member twice in his career, losing on both occasions against Tulsa while at the helm of the Central Arkansas football program.

SEVEN LUMBERJACKS PLACED ON PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHLAND TEAMS
Senior offensive lineman Josh Keith and senior defensive end John Franklin each earned first-team citations as did senior Trae Hart for the category of punt returner. Hart was also placed on the second team offense as an all-purpose player. Others who received second team accolades were junior defensive lineman Lamont Alexander, sophomore tight end Kiki Hill, sophomore wide receiver Tamrick Pace and sophomore kick returner Alize Ward. Following a selection to the All-Southland Conference Second Team during his inaugural season with the 'Jacks in 2016, Keith returns to lead an SFA front line that paved the way for the 18th-most prolific offense in all of FCS football one season ago (438.1 yards per game). Keith took part in every one of the 'Jacks' 11 contests and made six of his seven starts at left tackle. When he wasn't stationed in a wide receiver slot last season, Hart was busy making a name for himself as one of the premier return men in all of the FCS. In all, the Mesquite, Texas, product racked up 210 yards and a touchdown on 17 punt returns which worked out to the nation's seventh-best and the Southland's top punt return average (12.4 yards). As one of the 'Jacks' receivers, he hauled in 42 passes for 511 yards and a pair of scores to shore up his All-Southland Conference Second Team resume. Maintaining his reputation as one of the nation's most fearsome defensive linemen, Franklin topped the 2016 Southland standings in both quarterback hurries (nine) and forced fumbles (four) and ranked eighth nationally in the latter. That, coupled with 32 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks through 11 games all but assured the Greenville, Texas, product All-Southland Conference First Team laurels at the end of his most recent campaign on the gridiron. Stationed alongside Franklin on SFA's defensive line, Alexander enjoyed a highly productive 2016 campaign. Through 10 games, the native of Nolanville, Texas, totaled 30 tackles including 10 solo stops and provided one sack. All of the 2016 damage done by Hill in the receiving game came in 10 games where the redshirt freshman appeared in the starting lineup seven times and latched onto 19 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Hailing from Goliad, Texas, Hill snared his first career touchdown in a Southland Triumph over Abilene Christian and took home All-Southland Honorable Mention honors following his first full season of college football. Unfortunately, Hill was forced to end his football career due to medical issues during fall camp prior to the start of the 2017 season. Arguably no man on the 'Jacks' roster made as big of a splash as Pace did in 2016. As a true freshman, the Brownsboro, Texas, native immediately turned into one of the league's top receiving threats and finished the season as SFA's leader in receptions (52), receiving yards (836) and touchdowns (eight). Pace turned in four 100-plus yard receiving games which included a season-best 187 yards on eight receptions and a score at Houston Baptist. Nationally, his eight receiving touchdowns ranked 33rd in the FCS and fifth in the Southland while his 76 receiving yards per game placed him third among all-league student-athletes. Pulling double duty as a member of the 'Jacks' defensive secondary as well as the squads' primary kick returner, Ward was just one of a large group of underclassmen who turned in some fine numbers when pressed into action during the 2016 season. One of two Californians among the 'Jacks' ranks, the rising sophomore took part in all 11 engagements and made seven starts in 2016. In that time, the safety made 59 stops - 28 of the solo variety - and in the return game he totaled 316 yards on 14 kickoff returns he attempted. That was good for 22.6 yards per return - the fifth-highest figure in the league and the 49th-best among all FCS competitors.

SFA CHOSEN SIXTH IN SOUTHLAND PRESEASON POLL
As voted upon by the league's head coaches and sports information directors, the conference office predicted SFA to finish sixth in the Southland regular season standings come November. The 'Jacks picked up 114 total points from head coaches and SID's votes, finishing 46 points better than seventh-place Lamar and just 19 points behind fifth-place Nicholls. Defending conference champion, rival and preseason No. 3 Sam Houston State was tabbed to finish atop of the Southland once again after earning 20 first-place votes. Central Arkansas received two first-place nods and was chosen to finish second in the league, followed by McNeese State with 163 total points and Southeastern Louisiana with 136 points. Abilene Christian (68 pts.) was selected to finish eighth, rounded out by Houston Baptist (56 pts.) ninth, Northwestern State (49 pts.) 10th and Incarnate Word (48 pts.) 11th. The preseason selection was expected by fourth-year head coach Conque after SFA went 5-6 in 2016 and finished sixth in the Southland with a 4-5 conference record. Despite finishing one game below .500 last season, the 'Jacks got off to a 3-1 start and upended then 13th-ranked McNeese 31-28 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. SFA is attempting to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2014 when the 'Jacks went 8-5 (5-3 Southland) during Conque's inaugural season in Nacogdoches.