SFA Takes on Tarleton State for 2018 Home Opener Inside Homer Bryce Stadium

Saturday, September 8

Nacogdoches, Texas

6 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

Tarleton State

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Photo by: SFA Athletics

SFA Takes on Tarleton State for 2018 Home Opener Inside Homer Bryce Stadium

9/5/2018 7:51:00 AM | Football

‘Jacks to host Texans in home opener for fourth time in program history, face Tarleton State for first time in 11 years

By: Luke Bolanos | Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations

THE KICKOFF
The lights of Homer Bryce Stadium will be shining bright Saturday night when Tarleton State visits Texas' oldest town for Stephen F. Austin football's 2018 home opener. Kickoff on United Way Day inside Homer Bryce is slated for 6 p.m. as the Lumberjacks will face the Texans for the first time in over 10 years. Presented by Suddenlink, the game marks the 92nd home opener for SFA in Nacogdoches.

FOLLOWING THE LUMBERJACKS
Saturday's game versus Tarleton State will be broadcast live on ESPN+, which is available for streaming everywhere via the ESPN app. Rob Meyers, the voice of the Lumberjacks, will provide play-by-play of the live broadcast alongside color commentary from Kevin Langford. The duo will also have the call of the game 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 SFAJacks.com, complemented by Twitter updates from @SFA_Football.

ABOUT ESPN+
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SFA IN HOME OPENERS
The 'Jacks are 52-36-3 (.588) all-time in 91 home openers and have posted a 28-16-1 (.633) record in home openers since Homer Bryce Stadium hosted its inaugural game on Sept. 8, 1973. Despite dropping two of its last three home openers, SFA has gone 8-2 in its last 10 home opening tilts. The 'Jacks won seven-straight home openers from 2008-14, outscoring their opponents 426-69 in those contests. Northern Arizona handed SFA a 34-28 loss in SFA's 2015 home opener before the 'Jacks defeated West Alabama 30-24 to open up the home portion of their 2016 season. Last season, SFA opened up at home with Southern Utah and suffered a 51-14 setback.

'JACKS ON SEPT. 8
For the eighth time in program history, SFA will take to the gridiron on Sept. 8. The 'Jacks have gone 3-4 (.429) in games played on the date. On Sept. 8 affairs, SFA has notched wins over Cameron University (17-0), Baker University (56-0) and Prairie View A&M (43-13). The last time the 'Jacks were in action on Sept. 8 was in 2012 when SFA fell at SMU.

AGAINST NCAA DIVISION II
Tarleton State, a member of NCAA Division II's Lone Star Conference, will be the Lumberjacks' fourth Division II opponent hosted in the last 10 years. Saturday's matchup will be the fifth time SFA has taken on a Division II program since 2008. The 'Jacks have defeated the likes of Division II adversaries McMurry University twice, Southwestern Oklahoma, Texas A&M-Commerce and West Alabama inside Homer Bryce Stadium in recent years. SFA defeated West Alabama 30-24 on Sept. 10, 2016, in its most recent bout with a Division II opponent. In 2014, the 'Jacks were 38-17 victors against Texas A&M-Commerce, the reigning Division II national champions. One of SFA's largest margins of victory came against a Division II opponent when the 'Jacks routed McMurry University 82-6 to open up the 2011 season.

SCOUTING THE TEXANS
2018: 1-0 overall, 0-0 Lone Star Conference (T-1st)
Last Three Games: Win vs. Delta State (44-13), Loss vs. Central Oklahoma (38-31) (2017 Corsicana Bowl), vs. No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce (33-21)
Head Coach: Todd Whitten (Stephen F. Austin, 1987). Ninth season at Tarleton State (57-35, .620); 13th season overall (82-63, .566)
Key Offensive Players:
• #2 Ben Holmes (Sr., QB): 8-of-16 (50%) for 196 yds., 2 TDs, 70-yd. long, 196 yds. per game, 1 INT
• #6 Daniel McCants (Jr., RB): 14 carries for 145 yds., 10.4 yds. per rush, 1 TD, 56-yd. long, 145 yds. per game
• #20 D'Anthony Hopkins (R-Jr., RB): 11 carries for 67 yds., 6.1 yds. per rush, 1 TD, 35-yd. long, 67.0 yds. per game
• #4 Zimari Manning (Jr., WR): 3 catches for 144 yds., 48 yds. per catch, 2 TDs, 70-yd. long, 144 yds. per game
• #18 Savon Rollison (Sr., WR): 4 catches for 44 yds., 11 yds. per catch, 18-yd. long, 44 yds. per game
Key Defensive Players:
• #29 Jai Edwards (Jr., S): 8 tackles (4 solo), 1 INT for 76 yds.
• #9 ChadWick Thibodeaux (Jr., LB): 7 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 TFL for -2 yds., 0.5 sack for -2 yds., 1 pass breakup, 1 QBH
• #24 Prince Robinson (Jr., DB): 7 tackles (3 solo), 1 INT for 36 yds., 1 pass breakup
• #25 Ed Hayes (Jr., DB): 7 tackles (5 solo), 1 pass breakup
• #10 Gary Moore (Sr., DL): 6 tackles (4 solo), 2.0 TFL for -7 yds., 1.0 sack for -6 yds., 1 pass breakup
• #4 Ronnell Wilson (R-So., LB): 6 tackles (2 solo)

OPPONENT SYNOPSIS
A 1987 graduate of Stephen F. Austin, head coach Todd Whitten is in his third year of his third stint as the lead man of the Texan football program. Now in his ninth season at the helm of Tarleton State and 14th overall, Whitten has revived the program by guiding the Texans to their first winning regular season since 2013 last fall. Tarleton State finished with a 6-6 overall record in 2017 and earned the Texans' fifth bowl game invitation in program history. Members of the Lone Star Conference, the same league as 2017 Division II national champion Texas A&M-Commerce competes in, the Texans tied for fourth with a 4-4 conference mark. Picked to finish fifth in the Lone Star Conference's preseason poll this summer, Tarleton State opened up the 2018 college football season by handling Delta State 44-13 last Thursday in Stephenville, Texas. Delta State was receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Preseason Poll and following its week one triumph, Tarleton State is now receiving 41 votes in the Sept. 3 version of the poll. The Texans return 13 total starters from their 2017 campaign, including seven on offense and six on defense. Among the returning starters on offense, five appear on Tarleton State's front line. A trio of running backs accounted for 1,436 yards on the ground last fall and all three are on this year's roster. Seniors Xavier Turner (765) and Adam Berryman (365) and junior Daniel McCants (306) seem to make up a large part of the Texans' offensive attack. McCants, who had 14 plays of at least 20 yards in 2017, is off to a hot start after rushing for 145 yards on 14 carries and scoring a touchdown against the Statesmen last week. Through the air, Tarleton State relied on senior gunslinger Ben Holmes during its rout of Delta State as he went 8-of-16 for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Much like McCants, junior wide receiver Zimari Manning opened up the season with a three-catch, 144-yard performance in the Texans' opener. He reeled in both of Holmes' touchdown strikes, including a 70-yard reception just over a minute into the season opener. On defense, Tarleton State has an All-American in senior defensive tackle Tyrell Thompson, who claimed 57 total tackles in 2017, 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Junior cornerback Devin Hafford and senior linebacker EJ Speed are both all-conference performers as Hafford led the Texans in passes defended (17) and pass breakups (15) and was second in total tackles (76) last season. Speed didn't play in week one but posted 41 tackles a year ago with 8.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Tarleton State had two pick-sixes last Thursday against the Statesmen, including a 76-yard interception return in the third quarter by junior safety Jai Edwards. Although he never saw the field for action, Edwards was a member of the Lumberjack football program a season ago after transferring in from Blinn Junior College. He led all Texan defenders last Thursday with eight total tackles, including four solo stops.

SERIES INFORMATION
Saturday's matchup will be the 13th time SFA and Tarleton State will meet on the gridiron. The 'Jacks own a 9-3 (.750) advantage in the series that dates back to Oct. 18, 1930. Although SFA has won seven out of the previous 10 meetings, the Texans won the last contest in the series and two of the last three. The first game of what would be a winless season for the 'Jacks Tarleton State disrupted SFA's 2011 season and home opener by claiming a 27-24 victory inside Homer Bryce. Owning a 6-2 record in home games against the Texans, SFA's last triumph over Tarleton State came on Sept. 12, 1998 (28-3). Prior to a 15-14 loss in Nacogdoches in November of 1975, the 'Jacks had defeated the Texans for four consecutive years (1971-74). SFA has welcomed Tarleton State to Homer Bryce for its home opener three times in program history, winning in both 1964 (17-3) and 1969 (28-19).

PACE ON PACE
SFA features a very talented wide receiver corps and returning All-Southland Second Team selection Tamrick Pace is on pace to etch his name in the program's record book. Needing just 43 catches and five touchdown receptions to break into the Lumberjack top-10 career list in both of those categories, the junior ranks 23rd in career receiving yards (1,554) among all 'Jacks who have played the game. This past weekend at Southeastern Conference stalwart Mississippi State, Pace was the second-leading receiver in the game, hauling in five catches for 73 yards against the 18th-ranked Bulldogs.

LAST TIME OUT
The 'Jacks opened up their 2018 campaign this past Saturday, Sept. 1 with a loss at one of Football Bowl Subdivision's (FBS) elite. Walking into Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississippi, SFA faced the No. 18 ranked team in the nation and SEC member Mississippi State. Despite the unfavorable score, the 'Jacks were competitive throughout and showed toughness and fight for the duration of the night. In addition to Pace's performance in the receiving game, SFA's rushers combined to rack up 134 gross yards on the ground led by strong runs from juniors Jamall Shaw, Thomas Hutchings and Jae'Lon Oglesby. Senior quarterback Foster Sawyer proved himself as a commander of the offense, showing plenty of composure en route to throwing 10-of-27 for 147 yards. The 'Jacks finished with 254 total yards of offense and kept penalties to a minimum in a loud, hostile environment. The Bulldogs' Keytaon Thompson was nearly unstoppable, accounting for seven of Mississippi State's nine touchdowns to tie a SEC record. The quarterback threw for 364 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries.

WILKERSON TABBED AS PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Senior long snapper Chris Wilkerson was named preseason All-America First Team by both STATS FCS and the Phil Steele FCS Magazine. He is in his third season as the Lumberjacks' starting long snapper and is a true NFL prospect. Wilkerson has played in a total of 33 games throughout his SFA career, missing only one contest since his redshirt year in 2014.

PHIL STEELE FCS MAGAZINE NAMES WARD PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Junior safety Alize Ward, a preseason All-Southland Conference First Team selection as a defensive back and preseason All-Southland Second Team pick as an all-purpose player, was tabbed a preseason All-American Fourth Team member by the 2018 Phil Steele FCS Magazine. Ward made the second-most tackles (75) on the team a year ago and led the 'Jacks with 40 solo stops. He picked off four passes and racked up 122 interception return yards for the second-most in the Southland. As SFA's main kickoff return man in 2017, Ward was one of the primary reasons the 'Jacks set a single-season program record and ranked third nationally, second in the Southland, in yards per kickoff return (26.5). Ward's 25 yards per kickoff return average last season was 13th-best in the nation and second-best among all kickoff returners in the conference. He accumulated 726 yards on 29 kickoff returns for the fourth-most in a single season in school history and had three different games with over 100 kickoff return yards.

FIVE 'JACKS CLAIM PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHLAND HONORS
Along with Ward, four other 'Jacks picked up preseason All-Southland nods. Pace and senior punter Caleb Lewallen were both tabbed as preseason All-Southland Second Team offense picks, while senior linebacker Ryan Woods and sophomore safety Trenton Gordon were placed on the preseason All-Southland Second Team defense. Lewallen totaled 2,935 yards on 75 punts in 2017 as SFA's starting punter and kickoff specialist. Behind Lewallen's leg, the 'Jacks ranked 25th nationally and third in the Southland in net punting (37.7 YPP) last season. His 39.1 yards per punt was the seventh-best average in the Southland as he landed five punts inside opponents' 20-yard line and had five punts of 50 yards or farther. Woods had a breakout season last fall, starting the final seven games and making 55 total tackles to tie for the fifth-most on the team. He posted 24 unassisted tackles, made 5.5 tackles for loss, broke up a pass, had a quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble. Woods looks to continue where he left off in 2018 after claiming five or more tackles in six different games last year and collecting 10 or more stops in the last two games of the season. The Lumberjacks' leading tackler in 2017 as a true freshman, Gordon wasted no time in making his impact in the league. Gordon led SFA with 76 total tackles, including the second-most solo stops (39). Ranking ninth in the league in tackles per game (7.6), Gordon posted 1.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble while tallying a career-high 11 tackles on three different occasions.

SFA PICKED TO FINISH SIXTH IN THE SOUTHLAND
For the second-straight year, SFA was chosen sixth in the Southland's annual preseason poll as voted upon by the league's head coaches and sports information directors. The 'Jacks picked up 90 total points from head coaches and SID's votes, finishing just above seventh-place Abilene Christian in the poll and edging the Wildcats by a single point. SFA went 4-7 overall last fall and 4-5 in Southland play, tying for sixth in the league's final standings. The 'Jacks started conference play 2-0 in 2017, defeating UIW at home and ACU on the road before later posting convincing wins over Houston Baptist and Lamar. This fall, SFA looks to continue its recent success against in-state opponents after going 4-1 against FCS opposition in 2017, marking the first time since 1989 the 'Jacks claimed four victories over FCS Texas foes in the same season. Last season also marked the first time since 1995 SFA recorded four wins over Lone Star State schools in the same year. The 'Jacks are attempting to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2014.

JEFF BYRD TAKES OVER REIGNS OF PROGRAM
On June 19, 2018, Jeff Byrd was named interim head coach of the team following the announcement of former head coach Clint Conque being placed on suspension pending an investigation into violations of university policy. Conque then resigned on Monday, August 6, 2018. Byrd enters his first season as interim head coach and second with the Lumberjack football program after serving as SFA's defensive coordinator during the 2017 season. Back in early March, Byrd was promoted to assistant head coach. A coaching veteran known for aggressive defensive play, Byrd has spent the last 15 seasons in the defensive coordinator role. Byrd came to Texas' oldest town after serving as the University of Tennessee at Martin's defensive coordinator for five seasons.

-SFA-