Saturday, October 6
Houston, Texas / NRG Stadium
1 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
No. 16 Sam Houston State
Photo by: Hardy Meredith | SFA Photography
SFA Attempts to Halt Seven-Game Skid in 93rd Battle of the Piney Woods
10/3/2018 11:51:00 AM | Football
‘Jacks to face nationally-ranked opponent for second consecutive weekend with No. 16 Sam Houston State in NRG Stadium
Stephen F. Austin (1-3, 1-2 Southland) vs. No. 16/17 Sam Houston State (2-2, 1-1 Southland)
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 | 1:00 p.m. | NRG Stadium | Houston, Texas
Watch – ESPN3 | Listen (Q107.7) – TuneIn App | Live Stats | Game Notes
BOTPW Gameday Central | Fan Guide | Gameday Program
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 | 1:00 p.m. | NRG Stadium | Houston, Texas
Watch – ESPN3 | Listen (Q107.7) – TuneIn App | Live Stats | Game Notes
BOTPW Gameday Central | Fan Guide | Gameday Program
THE KICKOFF
Coming off of an effort-filled, inspired defensive struggle at 11th-ranked McNeese this past Saturday, the Stephen F. Austin football team's 2018 slate does not get any easier as the Lumberjacks head down to Houston for the 93rd Battle of the Piney Woods, presented by H-E-B, against 16th-ranked Sam Houston State. The primetime Southland Conference matchup held inside NRG Stadium, the home of the NFL's Houston Texans, between the Lumberjacks (1-3, 1-2 Southland) and the Bearkats (2-2, 1-1 Southland) will renew one of the oldest rivalries in the state of Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE LUMBERJACKS
Saturday afternoon's game will be streamed live globally on ESPN3, available everywhere via the ESPN app and ESPN.com, and will also be featured on ESPN College Extra, which is televised nationwide on DIRECTV channel 793. Ted Emrich will serve as the play-by-play announcer of the game on the ESPN3 broadcast, alongside color commentary from Shea Walker and sideline reporting by Julie Dobbs. Rob Meyers, the voice of the Lumberjacks, will have the play-by-play call of the game on Q107.7 FM, complimented by color commentary from Brandon Bernard. The audio broadcast will also be available online at Q1077.com as well as through the Lumberjack Sports Network on the TuneIn app. Live stats will be available at GoBearkats.com, complemented by Twitter updates from @SFA_Football.
BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS HISTORY
Presented by H-E-B, the 93rd edition of the Battle of the Piney Woods will once again take center stage in downtown Houston as SFA and Sam Houston State meet for the ninth-straight year inside NRG Stadium. The rivalry between the 'Jacks and Bearkats dates back to the 1923 season and is the fourth-longest active rivalry in the state of Texas. Sam Houston State holds a 55-35-2 (.609) record in the all-time series and has claimed a victory over SFA in each of the last seven meetings, the longest winning streak by either team in the series. The two institutions originally entered into a four-year agreement prior to the 2010 season as the 'Jacks won the first ever meeting between the two teams inside NRG Stadium with a 31-28 triumph on Oct. 23, 2010. The Bearkats claimed the second matchup in the stadium, 45-10, in 2011 before recording thrilling shootout victories over the next four seasons, edging SFA 51-43 in 2012, 56-49 in 2013, 42-28 in 2014 and 34-28 in 2015. Sam Houston State cruised to a 63-28 win in the 2016 version of the game, before SFA fell in a hard-fought 27-16 battle last year. The eight games at NRG Stadium have drawn in just over 210,000 fans, averaging over 26,000 per game and ranking among one of the most attended FCS games in the nation each year. After an announced crowd of 24,685 in 2010, the Battle of the Piney Woods has drawn more attendees nearly each season with a record 27,411 fans taking in the game in 2016. Due to the popularity of the event, the two schools and the Texans organization reached an agreement in the spring of 2015 that made NRG Stadium the permanent home for the Battle of the Piney Woods, with H-E-B joining the festivities as the presenting sponsor since 2015. Tailgating, alumni events and a handful of other events for Lumberjack fans are taking place in the Houston area in the days leading up to the 93rd installment of the Battle of the Piney Woods.
'JACKS ON OCT. 6
For the 11th time in program history, SFA will be taking to the gridiron for competition on Oct. 6. The 'Jacks own a 4-6 (.400) record on the date with SFA's most recent Oct. 6 game taking place in 2012 for the 87th Battle of the Piney Woods in Houston, where Sam Houston State was a 51-43 victor. Playing on the date just three times since the 1990 season, the 'Jacks last Oct. 6 triumph came in 2001 when SFA earned a 26-14 road win at McNeese. The Lumberjacks' first game on the date was held in 1928, a 25-0 loss at East Texas State, now Texas A&M-Commerce.
AGAINST RANKED OPPOSITION
For the 99th time in program history and second-straight week, SFA will be taking on a nationally-ranked opponent when it steps inside NRG Stadium to face the Bearkats Saturday afternoon. Sam Houston State is ranked No. 16 in the country according to the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Poll and checks in at No. 17 in this week's STATS FCS Top 25. The 'Jacks are 36-59-3 (.383) all-time against nationally-ranked opponents, including SFA's season opening loss at No. 18 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)-ranked Mississippi State and last week's narrow, 17-10 defeat at No. 11 McNeese. Five out of the last six seasons the 'Jacks have earned a win over a nationally-ranked opponent, dating back to Sept. 29, 2012 when SFA upended No. 12 Central Arkansas (42-37) in Texas' oldest town. In seven of the last nine seasons, the 'Jacks have taken down a ranked team beginning with a 16-13 home victory over No. 7 McNeese on Oct. 10, 2009. During that span, SFA has earned a total of 10 victories over top-25 programs and holds a record of 10-22 (.313) against nationally-ranked opposition. Of those 10 triumphs, five came against top-10 teams. SFA's most recent win against a ranked opponent took place during the 2016 season when the 'Jacks defeated 13th-ranked McNeese 31-28 in Lake Charles. In 2015, SFA edged No. 21 Southeastern Louisiana 28-27 on the road and shocked sixth-ranked McNeese 31-16 in Louisiana late in the 2014 season during the Lumberjacks' run to the FCS playoffs. That same season, SFA earned an impressive 27-17 win over eighth-ranked Southeastern Louisiana inside Homer Bryce Stadium. This weekend will mark the 22nd time the 'Jacks have faced Sam Houston State while at least one of the two teams is ranked among the top 25 FCS programs in the country. Nine times have the two teams collided while the Bearkats are nationally ranked with SFA holding a 2-7 (.222) record in such contests. Saturday afternoon will mark the 10th-straight year the Battle of the Piney Woods features at least one program ranked among the nation's top 25.
NO DRY KICKOFFS
Through four games this season, the 'Jacks have yet to had a kickoff without rain. Each of SFA's four contests in 2018 have come with torrential downpours either right before or during the start of the game. Right before kickoff of the Lumberjacks' season opener at Southeastern Conference stalwart Mississippi State, the skies opened up as a heavy rain storm moved over Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. The following weekend, SFA had to cancel its first football game since 2001 following numerous lightning delays caused by thunderstorms in and around Nacogdoches. While in San Antonio, the University of the Incarnate Word's Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium saw off and on rain squalls leading up to kickoff and throughout the contest between the 'Jacks and the Cardinals. Against Abilene Christian at home, Homer Bryce Stadium experienced heavy rain showers all the way up until about 45 minutes prior to kickoff as the turf held standing water for entirety of the game. This past Saturday in Lake Charles, Louisiana, SFA battled McNeese in the pouring rain as the weather did not let up for all 60 minutes of game action. Week six of the season this Saturday should provide the 'Jacks with their first dry kickoff as SFA will enjoy the friendly confines of roofed NRG Stadium.
SCOUTING THE BEARKATS
2018: 2-2 overall, 1-1 Southland Conference (T-5th)
Last Three Games: Win vs. No. 12 Central Arkansas (34-31, OT), Loss at No. 18 Nicholls (27-7), Loss vs. North Dakota (24-23)
Head Coach: K.C. Keeler (Delaware, 1991). Fifth season at Sam Houston State (48-14, .774); 25th season overall (222-87-1, .718)
Key Offensive Players:
• #10 Mike Dare (R-Jr., QB): 58-of-95 (61.1%) for 584 yds., 3 TDs, 38-yd. long, 146 yds. per game, 4 INTs
• #11 Ty Brock (R-Fr., QB): 29-of-51 (56.9%) for 352 yds., 1 TD, 43-yd. long, 176 yds. per game, 1 INT
• #14 Davion Davis (Sr., WR): 27 catches for 263 yds., 9.7 yds. per catch, 3 TDs, 20-yd. long, 65.8 yds. per game
• #81 Nathan Stewart (Jr., WR): 25 catches for 368 yds., 16 yds. per catch, 38-yd. long, 92 yds. per game
• #2 Tyler Scott (R-Sr., WR): 15 catches for 121 yds., 8.1 yds. per catch, 1 TD, 17-yd. long, 30.2 yds. per game
• #26 Kyran Jackson (So., RB): 56 carries for 253 yds., 4.5 yds. per rush, 2 TDs, 25-yd. long, 63.2 yds. per game
• #11 Ty Brock (R-Fr., QB): 20 carries for 73 yds., 3.7 yds. per rush, 2 TDs, 16-yd. long, 36.5 yds. per game
Key Defensive Players:
• #25 Hunter Brown (R-Sr., LB): 37 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 TFL for -3 yds., 2 pass breakups, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
• #32 Royce See (Jr., LB): 31 tackles (19 solo), 5 TFL for -30 yds., 2.5 sacks for -11 yds., 2 forced fumbles, 1 QBH
• #7 Adrian Contreras (Sr., S): 30 tackles (21 solo), 2 TFL for -4 yds., 1 pass breakup
• #13 Daniel Adams (R-Jr., DB): 27 tackles (18 solo), 1 TFL for -5 yds., 1 sack for -5 yds., 2 pass breakups
• #23 Tristin McCollum (So., DB): 17 tackles (9 solo), 3 TFL for -6 yds., 2 pass breakups, 1 QBH
• #49 Derick Roberson (R-Sr., DE): 15 tackles (11 solo), 4 TFL for -65 yards, 2 sacks for -18 yards, 2 forced fumbles, 3 QBH, 1 blocked kick
• #1 Erick Fowler (Jr., DE): 13 tackles (6 solo), 5 TFL for -18 yds., 2.5 sacks for -14 yards, 2 pass breakups, 1 QBH
OPPONENT SYNOPSIS
Led by fifth-year head coach K.C. Keeler, no Southland team has been more successful over the last four years than Sam Houston State. Keeler took the Bearkats to their third FCS semifinals appearance in the last four years in 2017 after guiding Sam Houston State to the FCS quarterfinals in 2016. The Bearkats captured conference titles in 2014 and 2016 and were picked to finish atop of the league once again this year according to the Southland's preseason poll. Entering 2018 ranked No. 4, Sam Houston State suffered back-to-back losses earlier this season for the first time since 2015. The Bearkats saw their nation-leading 21-game home winning streak snapped by visiting North Dakota on Sept. 15, before faltering 27-7 at 18th-ranked Nicholls on Sept. 22. However, Sam Houston State is coming off of a 34-31 overtime victory over 12th-ranked Central Arkansas this past Saturday in Huntsville, Texas. In addition to senior wide receiver Davion Davis' impressive one-handed 20-yard catch, which garnered national attention on ESPN and was NCAA FCS' No. 1 play of the week, redshirt freshman quarterback Ty Brock got his first career start and made the most of it. He threw for 305 yards and a touchdown on 27-of-43 passing en route to claiming Southland Offensive Player of the Week accolades. Once again led by a group of talented receivers, the Bearkats feature 2017 Southland Offensive Player of the Year Davion Davis and junior All-American First Team wideout Nathan Stewart. Sam Houston State has kept opposing quarterbacks in check, leading the league in pass defense behind redshirt senior linebacker Hunter Brown, junior linebacker Royce See, senior safety Adrian Contreras and redshirt senior defensive end Derick Roberson.
SERIES INFORMATION
The last win for the 'Jacks in the all-time series came in 2010 during the first Battle of the Piney Woods game played inside then Reliant Stadium. The 31-28 victory was highlighted by senior quarterback Jeremy Moses, now SFA's co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, who tossed for 418 yards and four touchdowns to set the Southland all-time career total offense record. Since 2000 Sam Houston State has won 15 of the 18 matchups, with the 'Jacks winning back-to-back rivalry games in 2009 and 2010. The last time the annual game was played on either institution's campus was Oct. 24, 2009, when SFA routed the Bearkats by 39 points (42-3) inside Homer Bryce Stadium. Sam Houston State holds a 7-1-1 (.833) advantage in neutral-site meetings. The only year in which the two teams played the Battle of the Piney Woods twice was in 1976 when a neutral-site game on Sept. 11 ended in a 14-14 tie, before Sam Houston State stole an 8-7 win in Nacogdoches on Nov. 20.
PACE ON PACE
SFA features a very talented wide receiver corps in 2018 and returning All-Southland Second Team selection Tamrick Pace is on pace to etch his name in the program's record book. Needing just 34 catches and five touchdown receptions to break into the Lumberjack top-10 career list in both of those categories, the junior is now tied for 21st in career receiving yards (1,659) among all 'Jacks who have played the game after claiming a pair of catches for nine yards in Saturday's game at No. 11 McNeese. Two weeks ago, Pace reeled in five catches for 72 yards in the win over ACU and needs just 113 more yards to move into 20th place on the all-time list. On opening weekend at SEC mainstay Mississippi State, Pace was the second-leading receiver in the game, hauling in five catches for 73 yards against the FBS 18th-ranked Bulldogs.
AGAINST SAM HOUSTON STATE IN 2017
SFA left all it had on the field but was unable to upend 11th-ranked Sam Houston State, falling by a score of 27-16. Despite forcing three turnovers, collecting an onside kick and seeing the Bearkats commit 13 penalties for 144 yards, the 'Jacks were outgained 508 to 219 in total offensive yards. Sam Houston State racked up 198 yards on the ground and another 325 through the air, holding SFA to just 14 rushing yards and a 3-of-16 third-down conversion rate. Sam Houston State took an early 14-0 lead after just over four minutes of play and knocked through a field goal to make it 17-0 after one quarter. The 'Jacks outscored the Bearkats 13-3 in the second quarter thanks to a 52-yard interception return by safety Alize Ward and a one-yard Jake Blumrick touchdown scamper. Trailing 20-13 at the break after a last-second field goal by Sam Houston State to end the half, SFA got back within four at 20-16 with a 27-yard field goal by Storm Ruiz early in the fourth. Having an opportunity to go ahead following an onside kick recovery, the 'Jacks had a pass picked off in the end zone after reaching the Bearkats' 16. It would prove to be SFA's final scoring opportunity for the game.
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