Saturday, October 13
Nacogdoches, Texas
2 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
No. 16 Central Arkansas
Photo by: SFA Athletics
‘Jacks Welcome 16th-Ranked Central Arkansas to Homer Bryce Stadium Saturday
10/9/2018 7:14:00 PM | Football
SFA faces nationally-ranked opponent for third consecutive week, returns to comforts of Nacogdoches after two weeks away
No. 16/18 Central Arkansas (3-2, 2-1 Southland) at Stephen F. Austin (1-4, 1-3 Southland)
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. | NRG Stadium | Houston, Texas
Watch – Eleven Sports (Southland Digital Network) | Listen (Q107.7) – TuneIn App
Live Stats | Game Notes
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018 | 2:00 p.m. | NRG Stadium | Houston, Texas
Watch – Eleven Sports (Southland Digital Network) | Listen (Q107.7) – TuneIn App
Live Stats | Game Notes
THE KICKOFF
After back-to-back weekends of playing nationally-ranked Southland Conference opponents away from home, the Stephen F. Austin football team will once again be taking on one of the nation's best this weekend when the Lumberjacks welcome 16th-ranked Central Arkansas to the friendly confines of Homer Bryce Stadium. Kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 13 is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Texas' oldest town as the contest, which is presented by BancorpSouth, will serve as SFA's annual faculty and staff appreciation day and breast cancer awareness game. It will mark the second consecutive weekend the 'Jacks will be facing the 16th-best team in the country according to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coaches' Top 25 poll after Sam Houston State held the spot last week for the 93rd Battle of the Piney Woods.
FOLLOWING THE LUMBERJACKS
Saturday afternoon's game will be televised nationally on Eleven Sports, available nationwide on DirecTV 623, and streamed everywhere on the Southland Digital network. Eleven Sports can also be found on select cable networks, including Suddenlink (channel 455) in Nacogdoches, channel 1665 on AT&T U-verse and channel 597 on Verizon FiOS. The game will also be simulcast regionally on Cox Sports TV, available on Suddenlink in Tyler (channel 413) and much of East Texas (channels 119 and 516). The Southland Digital Network is available via Southland.org/live and the Southland Conference app, which can be downloaded on Apple and Android devices and found on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku. Tom Franklin will serve as the play-by-play announcer for the TV and Southland Digital Network broadcast, alongside color commentary from John Harris. 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 Kevin Langford. 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 SFAJacks.com, complemented by Twitter updates from @SFA_Football.
'JACKS ON OCT. 13
For the 12th time in program history, SFA will be taking to the gridiron for competition on Oct. 13. The 'Jacks own a 5-6 (.454) record on the date with SFA's most recent Oct. 13 game taking place in 2007, a narrow 17-16 loss to Nicholls inside Homer Bryce Stadium. Playing on the date just three times since 1984, the 'Jacks last Oct. 13 triumph came in 2001 when SFA notched a 44-37 overtime victory over Jacksonville State in Nacogdoches. The Lumberjacks' first game on the date was held in 1933, a 26-0 loss at Southwest Texas State, now Texas State.
AGAINST RANKED OPPOSITION
Saturday afternoon will mark the 100th time in program history and third-straight week, SFA will be taking on a nationally-ranked opponent when it steps onto the turf of Homer Bryce to face the Bears. UCA is ranked No. 16 in the country according to the latest AFCA FCS Coaches' poll and checks in at No. 18 in this week's STATS FCS Top 25. The 'Jacks are 36-60-3 (.379) all-time against nationally-ranked opposition, including SFA's season opening loss at No. 18 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)-ranked Mississippi State, a narrow 17-10 defeat at No. 11 McNeese two weeks ago and this past weekend's setback against No. 16 Sam Houston State in the 93rd version of the annual Battle of the Piney Woods. Five out of the last six seasons the 'Jacks have earned a win over a nationally-ranked team, dating back to Sept. 29, 2012, when SFA upended No. 12 UCA (42-37) in Nacogdoches. In seven of the last nine seasons, the 'Jacks have taken down a ranked opponent 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 10-23 (.303) against nationally-ranked opposition. Of those 10 triumphs, five came against top-10 teams. The Lumberjacks' most recent win against a ranked opponent took place during the 2016 season when SFA defeated 13th-ranked McNeese 31-28 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In 2015, the 'Jacks 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 SFA's run to the FCS playoffs. That same season, the 'Jacks earned an impressive 27-17 win over eighth-ranked Southeastern Louisiana inside Homer Bryce Stadium. This weekend will mark the seventh time SFA has faced UCA while at least one of the teams is ranked among the top 25 FCS programs in the country. Five times have the two teams collided while the Bears were nationally ranked with the 'Jacks holding a 2-3 (.400) record in such contests. Saturday afternoon will mark the third consecutive year UCA enters the meeting ranked among the nation's top 25. The Bears were ranked No. 6 in 2017 and 17th in 2016, while 20th in 2013, 12th in 2012 and 10th in 2009. SFA was ranked No. 20 in the 2009 matchup and fifth when the two teams met in 2010.
UCA CONNECTIONS
Assistant coach Jeremy Hammock, who is in charge of SFA's running backs, spent three seasons in Conway, Arkansas, before coaching for the Purple and White. While at UCA, Hammock also worked with the Bears' running backs under former SFA and UCA head coach Clint Conque. The former lead man of the 'Jacks, Conque is the all-time winningest coach in UCA football history after guiding the Bears for 14 years (2000-13). Leading UCA through its transition from NCAA Division II to Division I, Conque helped the Bears make four NCAA postseason appearances and earned coach of the year honors three times.
HOPEFUL FOR A DRY OUTDOOR KICKOFF
The 'Jacks have seen just one game not played in the rain this season, last weekend indoors at NRG Stadium in Houston for the 93rd Battle of the Piney Woods. Each of SFA's first four games this fall have seen torrential downpours either right before or during the start of the game. Directly prior to 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 that lingered 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 the entirety of the game. Two weeks ago 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. Saturday's forecast in Nacogdoches is, for once, calling for sunny skies and only a 10 percent chance of precipitation.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
2018: 3-2 overall, 2-1 Southland Conference (T-4th)
Last Three Games: Win vs. Houston Baptist (66-35), Loss at No. 19 Sam Houston State (34-31, OT), Win at (rv/rv) Southeastern Louisiana (33-25)
Head Coach: Nathan Brown (Central Arkansas, 2009). First season at UCA (3-2, .600); First season overall (3-2, .600)
Key Offensive Players:
• #3 Breylin Smith (R-So., QB): 77-of-112 (68.8%) for 1,009 yds., 6 TDs, 80-yd. long, 252.2 yds. per game, 1 INT
• #10 Luke Hales (R-Fr., QB): 16-of-27 (59.3%) for 304 yds., 5 TDs, 71-yd. long, 304 yds. per game, 1 INT
• #23 Carlos Blackman (Jr., RB): 88 carries for 382 yds., 4.3 yds. per rush, 5 TDs, 30-yd. long, 76.4 yds. per game
• #21 Kierre Crossley (R-So., RB): 42 carries for 262 yds., 6.2 yds. per rush, 2 TDs, 57-yd. long, 52.4 yds. per game
• #1 Cedric Battle (Sr., RB): 22 carries for 124 yds., 5.6 yds. per rush, 15-yd. long, 24.8 yds. per game
• #17 Lester Wells (Sr., WR): 32 catches for 312 yds., 9.8 yds. per catch, 1 TD, 42-yd. long, 62.4 yds. per game
• #5 Jakari Dillard (Sr., WR): 15 catches for 323 yds., 21.5 yds. per catch, 4 TDs, 80-yd. long, 64.6 yds. per game
• #84 Brandon Myers (So., WR): 12 catches for 342 yds., 28.5 yds. per catch, 4 TDs, 71-yd. long, 68.4 yds. per game
Key Defensive Players:
• #4 Juan Jackson (R-Jr., DB): 49 tackles (35 solo), 0.5 TFL for -1 yds., 1 INT, 4 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups
• #36 Jackie Harvell (R-So., DB): 35 tackles (23 solo), 1.5 TFL for -9 yds., 1 sack for -7 yds., 2 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup
• #2 Michael Ware (Sr., DB): 28 tackles (14 solo), 0.5 TFL for -3 yds., 4 pass breakups
• #37 Reggio Dean (Sr., LB): 27 tackles (17 solo), 5.5 TFL for -8 yds., 1 fumble recovery for 6 yds.
• #30 Raphael Garner (Sr., LB): 27 tackles (19 solo), 4.5 TFL for -21 yds., 1 sack for -16 yards, 3 forced fumbles, 1 pass breakup
• #95 Chris Terrell (Jr., DE): 20 tackles (12 solo), 4.5 TFL for -25 yards, 2 sacks for -19 yards, 1 fumble recovery, 2 QBH
• #9 Robert Rochell (R-So., DB): 20 tackles (16 solo), 3.0 TFL for -7 yards, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass breakups
OPPONENT SYNOPSIS
Led by first-year head coach Nathan Brown, who served as UCA's offensive coordinator for the past four years, the defending Southland champion Bears look to be quite potent once again in 2018. After opening up their fall campaign with a 38-27 setback at FBS Tulsa, UCA claimed a noteworthy FCS non-conference home win over Murray State (26-13) and picked up a 33-25 road victory at Southeastern Louisiana. Despite being edged 34-31 in overtime at then 19th-ranked Sam Houston State two weekends ago, the Bears mauled Houston Baptist 66-35 this past Saturday in Conway, Arkansas. Once again owning one of the most prolific offenses in the conference, UCA was picked to finish third in the league according to the Southland's preseason poll with five first-place votes. Currently tied for fourth place in the conference standings with a 2-1 league mark, the Bears lead the Southland in scoring offense at 36.6 points per game and are atop the conference in pass efficiency (165.6). UCA ranks fifth in the league in total offense (422.6 YPG) and is averaging 480.7 yards per game through three Southland contests, which is second-best among all 11 teams in conference play. Dominated by their passing game, the Bears have relied heavily on redshirt sophomore quarterback Breylin Smith, who has already tossed for over 1,000 yards in just four games played. However, with Smith suffering an injury in the bout with the Bearkats UCA turned to redshirt freshman gunslinger Luke Hales, who tore apart the Huskies' defense for 304 yards and five touchdowns on 16-of-27 passing in his first collegiate game and start. The Bears feature a trio of receivers who have each posted over 300 yards receiving, including sophomore Brandon Myers (342 yds.) and seniors Jakari Dillard (323 yds.) and Lester Wells (312 yds.), while All-Southland running back Carlos Blackman has racked up 382 yards and five touchdowns on 88 carries. Defensively, UCA has the fourth-best scoring defense (29 PPG) and fifth-best total defense (425.4) in the league, anchored by preseason All-Southland First Team defensive back Juan Jackson who has amassed 35 individual tackles and forced four fumbles in the first five games of the season. All-American First Team junior defensive end Chris Terrell and All-Southland First Team senior defensive lineman Eric Jackson lead the Bears' defensive line, combining for 8.5 of UCA's 38 total tackles for loss and claiming four combined sacks for a loss of 29 yards as preseason All-Southland linebacker Raphael Garner owns 4.5 TFL for negative 21 yards.
SERIES INFORMATION
Saturday afternoon will mark the 13th all-time meeting between the two teams with UCA holding a 9-3 (.750) advantage in the series. The Bears are 4-2 (.667) in games played in Nacogdoches and are 5-1 (.833) against SFA in Conway, Arkansas. The 'Jacks will be attempting to halt a five-game skid in the series as SFA's last win over UCA took place on Sept. 29, 2012, a 42-37 upset of the then 12th-ranked Bears inside Homer Bryce Stadium. In 2009, the 'Jacks claimed their first victory against UCA by defeating the then 10th-ranked Bears 33-30 on the road. Ranked No. 5 in the nation at the time, SFA earned its second-straight triumph over UCA in 2010 with a 30-7 home rout of the Bears. The 'Jacks have gone 2-2 in their previous four meetings with UCA in Nacogdoches.
AGAINST UCA IN 2017
A late fourth-quarter touchdown with 90 seconds left propelled then sixth-ranked UCA to a 24-20 win over visiting SFA inside Estes Stadium in Conway, Arkansas. The Bears got a 17-yard touchdown pass on a fade route from starting quarterback Hayden Hildebrand to Roman Gordon after the 'Jacks had taken a 20-17 lead off of a 24-yard field goal by Storm Ruiz. After being deadlocked at 17-17 for nearly 19:30 of play, SFA broke the tie when it went 55 yards on 11 plays in 4:15 midway through the fourth quarter. The drive ended on Ruiz' field goal that gave the 'Jacks the three-point advantage with just over three minutes to go. The lead, however, would not hold as UCA got a 61-yard return from Cedric Battle on the ensuing kickoff, giving the host Bears the ball at the SFA 38. UCA needed just three plays to get the ball in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, taking up 1:21 of clock in the process. Despite claiming three interceptions off of the 2017 Southland Player of the Year and not committing any turnovers, the 'Jacks were outgained 450-319 in total offensive yards, including 290-150 through the air. SFA owned a plus-nine advantage in rushing yards, outgaining the Bears 169-160 on the ground for the most rushing yards in a game at that point in the season.
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 30 catches and three touchdown receptions to break into the Lumberjack top-10 career list in both of those categories, the junior is now 21st in career receiving yards (1,715) among all 'Jacks who have played the game after claiming four catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns in last Saturday's 93rd Battle of the Piney Woods. With his pair of touchdown catches against 16th-ranked Sam Houston State, Pace became the first SFA receiver to record multiple touchdown receptions in a game since tight end Nick Jones did so on Sept. 24, 2016, during a 41-30 win over Abilene Christian in Nacogdoches. In the Lumberjacks' 24-21 home win over ACU on Sept. 22, Pace reeled in five catches for 72 yards. On opening weekend at SEC mainstay Mississippi State, Pace was the second-leading receiver in the game, hauling in a season-high five catches for 73 yards against the FBS 18th-ranked Bulldogs. He needs just 57 additional yards to move into 20th place on the program's all-time receiving yards list.
LAST TIME OUT
For the eighth consecutive season, SFA's historic rival came away with a win in the 93rd edition of the Battle of the Piney Woods Saturday afternoon inside NRG Stadium in Houston. The Bearkats racked up 500 yards of total offense, including 334 through the air and another 166 on the ground, and scored a trio of touchdowns on three Lumberjack turnovers. SFA struck first and held a 14-7 lead after seven and a half minutes of play but a pair of late first-quarter touchdowns put No. 16 Sam Houston State ahead 21-14 through one quarter of action. The Bearkats then scored 33 unanswered points over the next two quarters of play, including a 23-point second quarter in which Sam Houston State outgained SFA 231-27 in offensive yards. The 'Jacks held the Bearkats to just 18 yards on 17 plays from scrimmage in the fourth quarter and scored their third touchdown of the afternoon but it was too little, too late. By taking a 7-0 lead early in the opening quarter, SFA held an advantage in the Battle of Piney Woods for the first time since 2015. Junior Blinn College transfer running back Thomas Hutchings made his first career start for the Purple and White and notched 89 yards on seven carries, including a 47-yard rush in the beginning of the third quarter. Sophomore running back Josh McGowen scored on a five-yard run in the first quarter, becoming the first Lumberjack with multiple touchdowns this season.
-SFA-
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
K
/ Football10.16.23 | Football x Coach Carthel Press Conference
Tuesday, October 17
10.2.23 | Football x Week Six Presser
Monday, October 02
9.22.23 | Purple Lights Spotlight x Jarvis Anderson - SFA Football
Tuesday, September 26
9.18.23 | Football x Week Four Presser Colby Carthel Press Conference
Monday, September 18
