Stephen F. Austin
6-3 , 4-2
#19 Eastern Kentucky
6-3 , 3-1
Reed, Gipson Led ‘Jacks to Win over No. 19/25 EKU
11/6/2021 8:27:00 PM | Football
Nacogdoches, TEXAS -
Xavier Gipson racked up 138 yards and three touchdowns on four catches, while bruising tailback Miles Reed accounted for 132 yards on 26 carries to lead the SFA football team to a 31-17 win over No. 19/25 EKU Saturday night in Homer Bryce Stadium.
The Lumberjacks accounted for 7.81 yards per play thanks to Gipson's 34.5 yards per catch average on the day in the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SFA got on the scoreboard first when quarterback Trae Self hit Gipson on a 34-yard strike capping off a 1-play drive with 7:04 left in the first quarter. Jeremiah Walker picked off his third pass in the last two games to set up the 'Jacks with good field position.
The 'Jacks went up two scores five minutes later with another 1-play drive when Self again hit Gipson down the middle for 87 yards and the score. EKU responded with a 9-play, 62-yard scoring drive that ended in a field goal, and a 3-play, 24-yard drive topped off with a touchdown to cut into the SFA lead. But, the 'Jacks scored the final points of the half when Chris Campos knocked a 22-yard field goal through the uprights with 30 seconds remaining.
SFA marched right down the field on their first possession of the half and scored when Self found a wide open Gipson in the back of the endzone to push the SFA lead out to 23-10.
EKU trimmed the margin down to 24-16 with a 9-play, 48-yard scoring drive, but the 'Jacks responded and regained the two-score lead when Reed punched it in from two yards out. With 7:44 remaining.
NOTABLE STATISTICS
- Reed turned in SFA's second straight 100-yard game with his 132 tough yards on the ground.
- Gipson will increase his NCAA leading reception yards per game average after Saturday's performance. He came in averaging 125 yards per game.
- Walker and Myles Brooks each an INT in the game. It was the third time this season SFA intercepted two or more passes.
- Self recorded his second straight 300-yard passing game with 323 yards through the air.
Team Stats
EKU 0, SFAFB 7
SFAFB - Gipson, Xavier 34 yd pass from Self, Trae (Campos, Chris kick) 1 plays, 34 yards, TOP 0:09
EKU 0, SFAFB 14
SFAFB - Gipson, Xavier 87 yd pass from Self, Trae (Campos, Chris kick) 1 plays, 87 yards, TOP 0:13
EKU 3, SFAFB 14
EKU - NATIONS, P. 27 yd field goal 9 plays, 62 yards, TOP 3:20
EKU 10, SFAFB 14
EKU - WILCOX, Matt Jr 7 yd pass from McKINNEY, P. (NATIONS, P. kick) 3 plays, 35 yards, TOP 1:32
EKU 10, SFAFB 17
SFAFB - Campos, Chris 22 yd field goal 11 plays, 61 yards, TOP 2:04
EKU 10, SFAFB 24
SFAFB - Gipson, Xavier 6 yd pass from Self, Trae (Campos, Chris kick) 7 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:15
EKU 17, SFAFB 24
EKU - SLOAN, Braedon 8 yd run (NATIONS, P. kick), 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 3:45
EKU 17, SFAFB 31
SFAFB - Reed, Miles 2 yd run (Campos, Chris kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:55
