Game Preview: No. 20 Stephen F. Austin vs. Tarleton
10/12/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
Stephen F. Austin vs. Tarleton
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Nacogdoches, Texas
Venue: Homer Bryce Stadium (14, 575)
Surface: Field Turf
Series: 15th meeting (SFA leads 10-4)
Live Stats: sfajacks.com
Live Audio: sfajacks.com
TV: ESPN +
Radio: Q 107
Twitter Updates: @SFA_Football
Rankings: SFA - FCS Coaches: No. 20; STATS PERFORM FCS Top 25: RV
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin football team plays host to Tarleton in its Western Athletic Conference opener. It's the 15th time the two Texas-based programs will meet on the gridiron. The Lumberjacks lead the series 10-4 and won last year's match-up, 20-10. The two teams first played in 1930 and then went 33 years without playing. The 'Jacks and Texans played three times in the 60s, six times in the 70s, once in the 80s, once in the 90s, once in the 00s, and then in 2019, and 2021.
Campos named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Sophomore placekicker Chris Campos was named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week after the Nacogdoches, Texas native drilled a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the game to propel SFA past Abilene Christian 41-38. Campos, who was the WAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Week, is having a fantastic 2022 campaign. He's converted 10-of-11 field goal attempts (90.9 percent) and all 26 of his PATs thus far in 2022. It's the third time this season a Lumberjack won a WAC Player of the Week accolade.
'Jacks ranked No. 20 in FCS Coaches Poll
SFA moved up two spots to No. 20 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Lumberjacks defeated ACU 41-38 behind Campos' 51-yard field goal on the final play of the game.
SFA ranked No. 1 in initial ASUN/WAC Power Rankings
The ASUN Conference and the Western Athletic Conference released its first power rankings for the 2022 season. The team with the highest power rankings at the conclusion of the season will earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs. SFA sports a 0.8988 percentage and is atop the rankings. Tarleton is ranked No. 2 with a .8346 percentage, however, due to the Texans in the midst of reclassifying from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I are not eligible for the FCS playoffs. Austin Peay of the ASUN is ranked No. 3 with a .7000 percentage.
Offense gaining steam
Led by senior quarterback Trae Self and senior wide receiver Xavier Gipson, the 'Jacks offense is among the best in the WAC and the country. The 'Jacks are ranked 14th in scoring offense and average 36.7 points per game. Self and company are ranked No. 28 in passing offense with 249.3 passing yards per game, and 29th in team passing efficiency with a 144.85 percentage. Self's 11 passing touchdowns ranked 16th in the country, and his 13.09 passing yards per completion is 27th nationally. Gipson broke out versus ACU with a 144-yard, nine reception performance. Gipson is second in the WAC with 438 receiving yards and 31st nationally.
'Jacks make 3rd down count
SFA is converting .459 of its third down opportunities, which ranks 25th in the nation.
Block party
The Lumberjacks have recorded four blocked kicks and two blocked punts, which is ranked in the top five nationally in both catagories and first in the WAC. Ed Bobino leads the team with a pair of blocked kicks.
No fly zone
The pass defense for the Lumberjacks is among the best in the country. The unit has recorded seven interception and that is ranked No.1 in the WAC and 16th nationally.
Last time versus Tarleton (9/4/2021)
SFA defeated Tarleton 20-10 in the 2021 season opener. Self completed 18-of-26 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown. Gipson recorded three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. Miles Reed paced the 'Jacks on the ground with 71 yards and one touchdown. Myles Heard added eight tackles and a forced fumble. Tkai Lloyd and BJ Thompson each added a forced fumble. Bruce Harmon and Ja'Tarious Evans each recorded an interception.
Notes on Tarleton
Texans head coach a SFA alum
Tarleton head coach Todd Whitten enters his 13th season and 18th overall. He's 90-45 at Tarleton and 115-73 overall.
This is his second stint leading the Texans and was the head coach at Sam Houston for five seasons. Whitten is an SFA alumnus and graduated in 1987.
Tarleton offense
The Texans offense goes as redshirt freshman and Kentucky transfer Beau Allen will take it. The Lexington, Kentucky native is coming off a 406-yard, three touchdown performance in the Texans' 42-40 win over Southern Utah.
Allen has a bevy of receivers to throw to and the receiving corps is led by 6-6, 210-pound Jaden Smith. The Fort Worth, Texas product leads the WAC with 568 receiving yards along with six receiving touchdowns. Allen will also look to Darius Cooper (20 receptions, 445 yards) and Gabe Douglas (14 receptions, 289 yards).
Overall, the Texans are averaging 34.40 point per game and have scored 172 points.
Tarleton defense
Linebacker DJ Harris is the Texans' leading defender. The junior leads the team with 36 total tackles along with 19 solo stops. Fellow linebacker Qua'Shawn Washington is second on the team with 32 tackles, but makes his mark behind the line of scrimmage. The junior leads the team with 5.5 sacks.
Other Notes
Heard Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd Time
For the second time this season senior defensive back Myles Heard was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week. The Sugar Land, Texas native finished with a career-high 14 tackles, including a remarkable 12 solo stops versus Sam Houston. Heard previously claimed WAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after SFA came back and defeated Alcorn State 31-27. In that match-up, Heard clinched the game-winning interception in the waning moments of the game.
Gipson, Self Named to 2022 Walter Payton Award Watch List
Gipson (wide receiver) and Self (quarterback) named to the initial 2022 Walter Payton Award watch list, which Stats Perform presents to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. Gipson, a consensus preseason All-American, recently selected as the unanimous WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, landed on the Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team to open the second straight campaign. Gipson led the WAC with 75 receptions, 1,377 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021, turning in an average of 144.0 all-purpose yards per game.
Self paced the WAC with 3,201 yards and 266.8 passing yards per game in 2021, to go along with 28 touchdowns to just nine interceptions through the air. Self gained an additional 311 rushing and scored three times on the ground for the Lumberjacks.
More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past recipients such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.
Also, this season, Stats Perform will present the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
BJ Thompson Named to Initial 2022 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
SFA defensive lineman BJ Thompson has been selected for the initial 2022 Buck Buchanan Award watch list, which Stats Perform presents to the national defensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
Thompson had a stand out 2021 season and appeared in all 12 games, accumulated 12 solo tackles and 26.0 total tackles. Thompson ranked third on the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and second on the team with 9.5 sacks. He also recorded two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries.
More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1995, the Buchanan includes past recipients such as Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats.
Also, this season, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
5 Named to 2022 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
Five Lumberjacks were named to the 2022 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team. Gipson led the WAC with 75 receptions, 1,377 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021, turning in an average of 144.0 all-purpose yards per game. A pair of Lumberjack players were included on the second-team All-America list, with Thompson and punter Max Quick representing the Lumberjacks. Thompson logged 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles over 12 games last season, adding in two pass breakups. Quick averaged 46.0 yards per punt on 44 attempts in 2021 to lead the WAC, booming a long of 74 against Sam Houston on Oct. 2. Quick landed a conference-high 18 punts inside the 20.
On the third team, Self and kicker Chris Campos rounded out the preseason All-America selections from Stephen F. Austin. Self paced the WAC with 3,201 yards and 266.8 passing yards per game in 2021, to go along with 28 touchdowns to just nine interceptions through the air. Self gained an additional 311 rushing and scored three times on the ground for the Lumberjacks. Campos, the WAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, connected on 20-of-24 field goal attempts (83.3 percent) and all 49 extra-point tries to lead the conference with 109 points last season.
Lumberjacks WAC Preseason No 1; 14 Named to All-WAC Team
SFA received all possible first place votes in the preseason coaches' poll and are the favorites to win the Western Athletic Conference regular season title. Gipson is the WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and kicker Campos is the WAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. In addition to being on the Preseason All-WAC team as a wide receiver, Gipson is also picked as a returner. The league's six head coaches selected the teams and could not vote for their own team or players.
SFA leads the way with 14 preseason honorees. Gipson, running back Miles Reed, offensive lineman Clint Lapic, defensive lineman B.J. Thompson, and defensive back Jeremiah Walker were all unanimous selections.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Nacogdoches, Texas
Venue: Homer Bryce Stadium (14, 575)
Surface: Field Turf
Series: 15th meeting (SFA leads 10-4)
Live Stats: sfajacks.com
Live Audio: sfajacks.com
TV: ESPN +
Radio: Q 107
Twitter Updates: @SFA_Football
Rankings: SFA - FCS Coaches: No. 20; STATS PERFORM FCS Top 25: RV
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin football team plays host to Tarleton in its Western Athletic Conference opener. It's the 15th time the two Texas-based programs will meet on the gridiron. The Lumberjacks lead the series 10-4 and won last year's match-up, 20-10. The two teams first played in 1930 and then went 33 years without playing. The 'Jacks and Texans played three times in the 60s, six times in the 70s, once in the 80s, once in the 90s, once in the 00s, and then in 2019, and 2021.
Campos named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Sophomore placekicker Chris Campos was named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week after the Nacogdoches, Texas native drilled a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the game to propel SFA past Abilene Christian 41-38. Campos, who was the WAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Week, is having a fantastic 2022 campaign. He's converted 10-of-11 field goal attempts (90.9 percent) and all 26 of his PATs thus far in 2022. It's the third time this season a Lumberjack won a WAC Player of the Week accolade.
'Jacks ranked No. 20 in FCS Coaches Poll
SFA moved up two spots to No. 20 in the AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 Poll. The Lumberjacks defeated ACU 41-38 behind Campos' 51-yard field goal on the final play of the game.
SFA ranked No. 1 in initial ASUN/WAC Power Rankings
The ASUN Conference and the Western Athletic Conference released its first power rankings for the 2022 season. The team with the highest power rankings at the conclusion of the season will earn an automatic berth in the FCS playoffs. SFA sports a 0.8988 percentage and is atop the rankings. Tarleton is ranked No. 2 with a .8346 percentage, however, due to the Texans in the midst of reclassifying from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I are not eligible for the FCS playoffs. Austin Peay of the ASUN is ranked No. 3 with a .7000 percentage.
Offense gaining steam
Led by senior quarterback Trae Self and senior wide receiver Xavier Gipson, the 'Jacks offense is among the best in the WAC and the country. The 'Jacks are ranked 14th in scoring offense and average 36.7 points per game. Self and company are ranked No. 28 in passing offense with 249.3 passing yards per game, and 29th in team passing efficiency with a 144.85 percentage. Self's 11 passing touchdowns ranked 16th in the country, and his 13.09 passing yards per completion is 27th nationally. Gipson broke out versus ACU with a 144-yard, nine reception performance. Gipson is second in the WAC with 438 receiving yards and 31st nationally.
'Jacks make 3rd down count
SFA is converting .459 of its third down opportunities, which ranks 25th in the nation.
Block party
The Lumberjacks have recorded four blocked kicks and two blocked punts, which is ranked in the top five nationally in both catagories and first in the WAC. Ed Bobino leads the team with a pair of blocked kicks.
No fly zone
The pass defense for the Lumberjacks is among the best in the country. The unit has recorded seven interception and that is ranked No.1 in the WAC and 16th nationally.
Last time versus Tarleton (9/4/2021)
SFA defeated Tarleton 20-10 in the 2021 season opener. Self completed 18-of-26 passes for 235 yards and one touchdown. Gipson recorded three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown. Miles Reed paced the 'Jacks on the ground with 71 yards and one touchdown. Myles Heard added eight tackles and a forced fumble. Tkai Lloyd and BJ Thompson each added a forced fumble. Bruce Harmon and Ja'Tarious Evans each recorded an interception.
Notes on Tarleton
Texans head coach a SFA alum
Tarleton head coach Todd Whitten enters his 13th season and 18th overall. He's 90-45 at Tarleton and 115-73 overall.
This is his second stint leading the Texans and was the head coach at Sam Houston for five seasons. Whitten is an SFA alumnus and graduated in 1987.
Tarleton offense
The Texans offense goes as redshirt freshman and Kentucky transfer Beau Allen will take it. The Lexington, Kentucky native is coming off a 406-yard, three touchdown performance in the Texans' 42-40 win over Southern Utah.
Allen has a bevy of receivers to throw to and the receiving corps is led by 6-6, 210-pound Jaden Smith. The Fort Worth, Texas product leads the WAC with 568 receiving yards along with six receiving touchdowns. Allen will also look to Darius Cooper (20 receptions, 445 yards) and Gabe Douglas (14 receptions, 289 yards).
Overall, the Texans are averaging 34.40 point per game and have scored 172 points.
Tarleton defense
Linebacker DJ Harris is the Texans' leading defender. The junior leads the team with 36 total tackles along with 19 solo stops. Fellow linebacker Qua'Shawn Washington is second on the team with 32 tackles, but makes his mark behind the line of scrimmage. The junior leads the team with 5.5 sacks.
Other Notes
Heard Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd Time
For the second time this season senior defensive back Myles Heard was named the WAC Defensive Player of the Week. The Sugar Land, Texas native finished with a career-high 14 tackles, including a remarkable 12 solo stops versus Sam Houston. Heard previously claimed WAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after SFA came back and defeated Alcorn State 31-27. In that match-up, Heard clinched the game-winning interception in the waning moments of the game.
Gipson, Self Named to 2022 Walter Payton Award Watch List
Gipson (wide receiver) and Self (quarterback) named to the initial 2022 Walter Payton Award watch list, which Stats Perform presents to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. Gipson, a consensus preseason All-American, recently selected as the unanimous WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, landed on the Stats Perform FCS All-America First Team to open the second straight campaign. Gipson led the WAC with 75 receptions, 1,377 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021, turning in an average of 144.0 all-purpose yards per game.
Self paced the WAC with 3,201 yards and 266.8 passing yards per game in 2021, to go along with 28 touchdowns to just nine interceptions through the air. Self gained an additional 311 rushing and scored three times on the ground for the Lumberjacks.
More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1987, the Payton has watched past recipients such as Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance move on to the NFL.
Also, this season, Stats Perform will present the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
BJ Thompson Named to Initial 2022 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
SFA defensive lineman BJ Thompson has been selected for the initial 2022 Buck Buchanan Award watch list, which Stats Perform presents to the national defensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
Thompson had a stand out 2021 season and appeared in all 12 games, accumulated 12 solo tackles and 26.0 total tackles. Thompson ranked third on the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and second on the team with 9.5 sacks. He also recorded two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries.
More players can join the watch list during the regular season, and afterwards a national media panel will select the winner. First awarded in 1995, the Buchanan includes past recipients such as Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats.
Also, this season, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
5 Named to 2022 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team
Five Lumberjacks were named to the 2022 Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team. Gipson led the WAC with 75 receptions, 1,377 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021, turning in an average of 144.0 all-purpose yards per game. A pair of Lumberjack players were included on the second-team All-America list, with Thompson and punter Max Quick representing the Lumberjacks. Thompson logged 9.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, forced two fumbles and recovered two fumbles over 12 games last season, adding in two pass breakups. Quick averaged 46.0 yards per punt on 44 attempts in 2021 to lead the WAC, booming a long of 74 against Sam Houston on Oct. 2. Quick landed a conference-high 18 punts inside the 20.
On the third team, Self and kicker Chris Campos rounded out the preseason All-America selections from Stephen F. Austin. Self paced the WAC with 3,201 yards and 266.8 passing yards per game in 2021, to go along with 28 touchdowns to just nine interceptions through the air. Self gained an additional 311 rushing and scored three times on the ground for the Lumberjacks. Campos, the WAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year, connected on 20-of-24 field goal attempts (83.3 percent) and all 49 extra-point tries to lead the conference with 109 points last season.
Lumberjacks WAC Preseason No 1; 14 Named to All-WAC Team
SFA received all possible first place votes in the preseason coaches' poll and are the favorites to win the Western Athletic Conference regular season title. Gipson is the WAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and kicker Campos is the WAC Preseason Special Teams Player of the Year. In addition to being on the Preseason All-WAC team as a wide receiver, Gipson is also picked as a returner. The league's six head coaches selected the teams and could not vote for their own team or players.
SFA leads the way with 14 preseason honorees. Gipson, running back Miles Reed, offensive lineman Clint Lapic, defensive lineman B.J. Thompson, and defensive back Jeremiah Walker were all unanimous selections.
Players Mentioned
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