Saturday, October 22
Cedar City, Utah
2:00 PM
Stephen F. Austin
at
Southern Utah
Game Preview: No. 20 Stephen F. Austin at Southern Utah
10/19/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
Stephen F. Austin vs. Southern Utah
Date: Saturday, Oct. 22
Time: 2 p.m. (CST)
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Venue: Eccles Coliseum
Surface: Hellas Matrix Turf
Series: 3-2 (Southern Utah)
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
CEDAR CITY, Utah – The nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin football team returns to action Saturday at Western Athletic Conference foe Southern Utah. This is the sixth time the two programs will meet on the gridiron, and the first match-up as conference foes. The last game was played September 14, 2019 and SUU defeated SFA 45-38 in overtime. SFA and SUU also played in 2002, 2003, 2005. And 2017.
Reed Named WAC Offensive Player of the Week
Miles Reed earned the WAC Offensive Player of the Week for his effort this past Saturday versus Tarleton.
Reed, a senior running back, gained a career-high 137 yards on just 19 carries for a 7.2 yards per carry in a 41-24 win for SFA over Tarleton on Oct. 15. Reed added two catches for 19 yards in the win for the Lumberjacks. Along with the career high in rushing yards, Reed was also the first SFA ballcarrier to eclipse the 100-yard rushing plateau thus far this season.
SFA Ranked No. 20 in FCS Coaches Poll
For the second week in a row, the Lumberjacks checked in at No. 20 overall in the FCS Coaches Poll. The 'Jacks have been ranked in each coaches poll this season.
Lumberjacks Remain No. 1 in ASUN/WAC Power Rankings
The ASUN/WAC released its power rankings on Monday and the 'Jacks checked in at No. 1 for the second installment of the weekly rankings. SFA is first with a percentage of 0.8962 and Abilene Christian is second with a mark of 0.7229.
Offense Clicking
The Lumberjack offense has scored 41 points in back-to-back games and continue to increase its offensive output. The 'Jacks are averaging 394.6 yards per game, which is slotted at 43rd in FCS and fourth in the ASUN/WAC.
Self 'Confidence'
Senior Trae Self is providing leadership for the Lumberjack offense. Self has passed for 13 touchdowns, which ranks 16th in the FCS and fourth in the ASUN/WAC. The North Richland Hills, Texas native has thrown for 1444 yards (31st FCS, fourth ASUN/WAC), and averages 206.3 passing yards per game (52nd FCS, fifth ASUN/WAC). Self has shown the ability for big plays on the ground and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with four.
Big Play Zay
Senior All-American Xavier Gipson is beginning to peak at the perfect time. The Dallas, Texas native is coming off a nine reception, 144-yard effort versus Abilene Christian, and a four reception, 93-yard, two touchdown output versus Tarleton. The first touchdown of the game versus Tarleton was an 84-yard punt return.
Spreading the Rock Around
The SFA receiving corps receives a lot of attention due to Gipson, and rightfully so because he's an All-American and is projected to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft. A total of 16 different players have caught a pass this season. Most notably, Moe Wedman, Darrly Simmons, Lawton Rikel, Jerrell Wimbey, and Jeremiah Miller. Wedman has tallied 18 receptions for 339 yards and is tied with Gipson is receiving touchdowns with four. Simmons has 14 receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns, Rikel has added 10 grabs for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Jerrell Wimbley has emerged as an effective pass catcher out of the backfield and has tallied eight receptions for 121 yads and one touchdown. Miller has added 114 yards and two touchdowns.
Wimbley & Reed
Wimbley, a true freshman, and Reed a senior and team captain, have emerged as a combination threat in the 'Jacks backfield. Wimbley leads the team in rushing yards with 371 and has carried the rock 65 times for an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He also leads the running backs with three rushing touchdowns. Reed, who broke through with a career-high 137 yards last week versus Tarleton, has tallied 332 rushing yards to go along with a team-high long of 48 yards.
Heard Top 'Jack
Senior defensive back Myles Reed has a knack for finding the football. The Sugar Land, Texas product leads the team with 59 total tackles – 30 solo and 29 assisted, one interception and a pair of pass breakups. He is 57th in the FCS in total tackles and second in the ASUN/WAC.
Stopping the Pass
The SFA defense is ranked among the best in country in Team Passing Efficiency with a rating of 108.70, which is ranked ninth in the FCS and second in the ASUN/WAC.
A Brief Look at Southern Utah
SUU is coached by DeLane Fitzgerald and is in his first season. Fitxgerald Comes from NCAA Division III Frostburg State. He coached at FSU for seven seasons and complied a 62-19 overall record and 50-17 record in conference play. Three-time conference champion and three-time coach of the year and a 3-2 record in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Prior to Frostburg, was head coach at Southern Virginia and compiled a 24-30 mark. Southern Virginia moved from NAIA to NCAA Division III in 2013 and finished 8-2. A James Madison alum, has coached at James Madison, Tennessee-Martin and Bethel (Tenn).
Jake Gerardi leads the FCS in punting with an average of 50.3 yards per boot, and teammate Zach Strand ranked fifth in the FCS with two fumble recoveries. Rodrick Ward's 1.9 pass break ups per game is the second-ranked total in the country, while Justin Miller is fourth in passing yards with 1,897.
The Thunderbirds' receiving core is led by Isaiah Wooden who has 642 yards and five touchdowns on 27 catches this season. There are four T-Birds who have over 100 yards on the ground this season including Bobby Cole (170), Isaiah Williams (149), Braedon Wissler (127), and Elijah Burns (125)
Other Notes
Campos SWAC 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 12-of-14 field goal attempts (85.71 percent) and all 31 of his PATs thus far in 2022. It's the third time this season a Lumberjack won a WAC Player of the Week accolade.
Heard Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd Time
Heard is a two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Week award winner. He finished with a career-high 14 tackles, including a remarkable 12 solo stops versus Sam Houston to earn the nod. 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, Reed, offensive lineman Clint Lapic, Thompson, and defensive back Jeremiah Walker were all unanimous selections.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 22
Time: 2 p.m. (CST)
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Venue: Eccles Coliseum
Surface: Hellas Matrix Turf
Series: 3-2 (Southern Utah)
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
CEDAR CITY, Utah – The nationally ranked Stephen F. Austin football team returns to action Saturday at Western Athletic Conference foe Southern Utah. This is the sixth time the two programs will meet on the gridiron, and the first match-up as conference foes. The last game was played September 14, 2019 and SUU defeated SFA 45-38 in overtime. SFA and SUU also played in 2002, 2003, 2005. And 2017.
Reed Named WAC Offensive Player of the Week
Miles Reed earned the WAC Offensive Player of the Week for his effort this past Saturday versus Tarleton.
Reed, a senior running back, gained a career-high 137 yards on just 19 carries for a 7.2 yards per carry in a 41-24 win for SFA over Tarleton on Oct. 15. Reed added two catches for 19 yards in the win for the Lumberjacks. Along with the career high in rushing yards, Reed was also the first SFA ballcarrier to eclipse the 100-yard rushing plateau thus far this season.
SFA Ranked No. 20 in FCS Coaches Poll
For the second week in a row, the Lumberjacks checked in at No. 20 overall in the FCS Coaches Poll. The 'Jacks have been ranked in each coaches poll this season.
Lumberjacks Remain No. 1 in ASUN/WAC Power Rankings
The ASUN/WAC released its power rankings on Monday and the 'Jacks checked in at No. 1 for the second installment of the weekly rankings. SFA is first with a percentage of 0.8962 and Abilene Christian is second with a mark of 0.7229.
Offense Clicking
The Lumberjack offense has scored 41 points in back-to-back games and continue to increase its offensive output. The 'Jacks are averaging 394.6 yards per game, which is slotted at 43rd in FCS and fourth in the ASUN/WAC.
Self 'Confidence'
Senior Trae Self is providing leadership for the Lumberjack offense. Self has passed for 13 touchdowns, which ranks 16th in the FCS and fourth in the ASUN/WAC. The North Richland Hills, Texas native has thrown for 1444 yards (31st FCS, fourth ASUN/WAC), and averages 206.3 passing yards per game (52nd FCS, fifth ASUN/WAC). Self has shown the ability for big plays on the ground and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with four.
Big Play Zay
Senior All-American Xavier Gipson is beginning to peak at the perfect time. The Dallas, Texas native is coming off a nine reception, 144-yard effort versus Abilene Christian, and a four reception, 93-yard, two touchdown output versus Tarleton. The first touchdown of the game versus Tarleton was an 84-yard punt return.
Spreading the Rock Around
The SFA receiving corps receives a lot of attention due to Gipson, and rightfully so because he's an All-American and is projected to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft. A total of 16 different players have caught a pass this season. Most notably, Moe Wedman, Darrly Simmons, Lawton Rikel, Jerrell Wimbey, and Jeremiah Miller. Wedman has tallied 18 receptions for 339 yards and is tied with Gipson is receiving touchdowns with four. Simmons has 14 receptions for 181 yards and three touchdowns, Rikel has added 10 grabs for 122 yards and three touchdowns. Jerrell Wimbley has emerged as an effective pass catcher out of the backfield and has tallied eight receptions for 121 yads and one touchdown. Miller has added 114 yards and two touchdowns.
Wimbley & Reed
Wimbley, a true freshman, and Reed a senior and team captain, have emerged as a combination threat in the 'Jacks backfield. Wimbley leads the team in rushing yards with 371 and has carried the rock 65 times for an average of 5.7 yards per carry. He also leads the running backs with three rushing touchdowns. Reed, who broke through with a career-high 137 yards last week versus Tarleton, has tallied 332 rushing yards to go along with a team-high long of 48 yards.
Heard Top 'Jack
Senior defensive back Myles Reed has a knack for finding the football. The Sugar Land, Texas product leads the team with 59 total tackles – 30 solo and 29 assisted, one interception and a pair of pass breakups. He is 57th in the FCS in total tackles and second in the ASUN/WAC.
Stopping the Pass
The SFA defense is ranked among the best in country in Team Passing Efficiency with a rating of 108.70, which is ranked ninth in the FCS and second in the ASUN/WAC.
A Brief Look at Southern Utah
SUU is coached by DeLane Fitzgerald and is in his first season. Fitxgerald Comes from NCAA Division III Frostburg State. He coached at FSU for seven seasons and complied a 62-19 overall record and 50-17 record in conference play. Three-time conference champion and three-time coach of the year and a 3-2 record in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Prior to Frostburg, was head coach at Southern Virginia and compiled a 24-30 mark. Southern Virginia moved from NAIA to NCAA Division III in 2013 and finished 8-2. A James Madison alum, has coached at James Madison, Tennessee-Martin and Bethel (Tenn).
Jake Gerardi leads the FCS in punting with an average of 50.3 yards per boot, and teammate Zach Strand ranked fifth in the FCS with two fumble recoveries. Rodrick Ward's 1.9 pass break ups per game is the second-ranked total in the country, while Justin Miller is fourth in passing yards with 1,897.
The Thunderbirds' receiving core is led by Isaiah Wooden who has 642 yards and five touchdowns on 27 catches this season. There are four T-Birds who have over 100 yards on the ground this season including Bobby Cole (170), Isaiah Williams (149), Braedon Wissler (127), and Elijah Burns (125)
Other Notes
Campos SWAC 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 12-of-14 field goal attempts (85.71 percent) and all 31 of his PATs thus far in 2022. It's the third time this season a Lumberjack won a WAC Player of the Week accolade.
Heard Named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for 2nd Time
Heard is a two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Week award winner. He finished with a career-high 14 tackles, including a remarkable 12 solo stops versus Sam Houston to earn the nod. 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, Reed, offensive lineman Clint Lapic, Thompson, and defensive back Jeremiah Walker were all unanimous selections.
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