Saturday, November 19
Abilene, Texas
2:30 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
at
Abilene Christian
WAC Championship: Stephen F. Austin at Abilene Christian
11/15/2022 11:30:00 AM | Football
Stephen F. Austin at Abilene Christian
Date: Saturday, Nov. 19
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Abilene, Texas
Venue: Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium
Surface: Field Turf
Series: SFA 12-10
Live Stats: sfajacks.com
Live Audio: sfajacks.com
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Q 107
Twitter Updates: @SFA_Football
ABILENE, Texas – Stephen F. Austin football is set to play Abilene Christian on Saturday, with the winner laying claim as the Western Athletic Conference champion.
Series
This is the 23rd time the Lumberjacks and the Wildcats will meet on the gridiron. SFA has won three in a row in the series, including a thrilling 41-38 non-conference win on October 8 in Nacogdoches.
Path to a WAC Championship
SFA enters with a 2-1 record in the WAC, while ACU is 3-0 in conference play. If the outcome is a Lumberjack win, both teams will finish with 3-1 conference records, with SFA securing the tiebreaker due to the conference head-to-head competition.
Punt Return Fun
The Lumberjacks boast the top punt return unit in the country. The unit is averaging 33.21 yards per punt return. All-American Xavier Gipson is tied for first in the FCS with two punt returns for touchdowns and leads the FCS with an average of 27.60 yards per punt return, with a long of 85 yards.
All Eyes on Gipson
Gipson is the arguably the most dynamic player in the country. The Dallas, Texas native ranks sixth in the FCS and first in the WAC with 950 receiving yards. He's within striking distance to finish the season as the leading receiver within the FCS. Gipson is averaging 95 receiving yards per game, which ranks eighth in the FCS and atop the WAC standings. The senior is averaging 132.30 all-purpose yards per game, which is 17th in the FCS and second in the WAC. Gipson is the Lumberjacks' all-time leader in receiving yards with 4108 and earlier this season set the school record for receiving yards in a game with 257. Currently, Gipson is at 36 career receiving yards, which is three behind Cordell Roberson's record of 39. He needs three to tie, and four to break it.
Self Near the 10,000 Club
Senior quarterback Trae Self, a four-year starter, needs just 70 yards to surpass 10,000 career passing yards.
Last Time vs. ACU (Oct. 8, 2022)
Chris Campos converted a 51-yard field on the final play of the game to propel No. 22 Stephen F. Austin past Abilene Christian 41-38 in an instant classic from Homer Bryce Stadium.
ACU attempted a 54-yard field with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and it fell short and into the hands of Gipson. The All-American sprinted down the sidelines for a 51-yard return and ACU was flagged with a horse-collar tackle that resulted in a 15-yard personal foul. The 'Jacks were then allowed one un-timed down.
A Look at ACU
ACU enters with a 7-3 overall record and 3-0 mark in conference play.
When ACU and SFA played in October, Maverick McIvor earned the start at quarterback. Since that match-up, a quarterback competition has brewed in Abilene. Ethan Long has stepped up and has completed 61-of-107 attempts for 609 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. McIvor and Long are listed as Co-Starters on the Wildcats' two deep. Long won the WAC Offensive Player of the Week last week for his effort versus Sam Houston (30-for-48, 262 yards, four touchdowns, one interception).
Jeremiah Robbins is one of the top running backs in the WAC and has totaled 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Rovaughn Banks Jr. has added 416 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
The Wildcats spread the ball to four primary receivers. Kobe Clark leads the team with 600 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Tristan Golightly has recorded 592 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and Kendall Catalon is at 328 receiving yards and one touchdown. Blayne Taylor has added 289 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
On defense, Elijah Moffett leads the squad with 44 tackles and two interceptions. Tory Hargrove sits at 40 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. Tryin Bradley finds himself in the opponent's backfield often and has totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.
Other Notes
Gipson Named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Gipson earned the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance versus Utah Tech.
Gipson, a senior, enjoyed another impact game for SFA in a hard-luck defeat at the hands of Utah Tech on Oct. 29. Gipson registered 270 all-purpose yards on 11 total touches, which included 119 yards on three punt returns. Gipson scored his second punt return touchdown of the season after bringing a Utah Tech punt back 85 yards for a score in the fourth quarter.
Campos 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 17-of-22 field goal attempts (77.27 percent) and all 42 of his PATs thus far in 2022.
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, Nov. 19
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Abilene, Texas
Venue: Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium
Surface: Field Turf
Series: SFA 12-10
Live Stats: sfajacks.com
Live Audio: sfajacks.com
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Q 107
Twitter Updates: @SFA_Football
ABILENE, Texas – Stephen F. Austin football is set to play Abilene Christian on Saturday, with the winner laying claim as the Western Athletic Conference champion.
Series
This is the 23rd time the Lumberjacks and the Wildcats will meet on the gridiron. SFA has won three in a row in the series, including a thrilling 41-38 non-conference win on October 8 in Nacogdoches.
Path to a WAC Championship
SFA enters with a 2-1 record in the WAC, while ACU is 3-0 in conference play. If the outcome is a Lumberjack win, both teams will finish with 3-1 conference records, with SFA securing the tiebreaker due to the conference head-to-head competition.
Punt Return Fun
The Lumberjacks boast the top punt return unit in the country. The unit is averaging 33.21 yards per punt return. All-American Xavier Gipson is tied for first in the FCS with two punt returns for touchdowns and leads the FCS with an average of 27.60 yards per punt return, with a long of 85 yards.
All Eyes on Gipson
Gipson is the arguably the most dynamic player in the country. The Dallas, Texas native ranks sixth in the FCS and first in the WAC with 950 receiving yards. He's within striking distance to finish the season as the leading receiver within the FCS. Gipson is averaging 95 receiving yards per game, which ranks eighth in the FCS and atop the WAC standings. The senior is averaging 132.30 all-purpose yards per game, which is 17th in the FCS and second in the WAC. Gipson is the Lumberjacks' all-time leader in receiving yards with 4108 and earlier this season set the school record for receiving yards in a game with 257. Currently, Gipson is at 36 career receiving yards, which is three behind Cordell Roberson's record of 39. He needs three to tie, and four to break it.
Self Near the 10,000 Club
Senior quarterback Trae Self, a four-year starter, needs just 70 yards to surpass 10,000 career passing yards.
Last Time vs. ACU (Oct. 8, 2022)
Chris Campos converted a 51-yard field on the final play of the game to propel No. 22 Stephen F. Austin past Abilene Christian 41-38 in an instant classic from Homer Bryce Stadium.
ACU attempted a 54-yard field with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and it fell short and into the hands of Gipson. The All-American sprinted down the sidelines for a 51-yard return and ACU was flagged with a horse-collar tackle that resulted in a 15-yard personal foul. The 'Jacks were then allowed one un-timed down.
A Look at ACU
ACU enters with a 7-3 overall record and 3-0 mark in conference play.
When ACU and SFA played in October, Maverick McIvor earned the start at quarterback. Since that match-up, a quarterback competition has brewed in Abilene. Ethan Long has stepped up and has completed 61-of-107 attempts for 609 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. McIvor and Long are listed as Co-Starters on the Wildcats' two deep. Long won the WAC Offensive Player of the Week last week for his effort versus Sam Houston (30-for-48, 262 yards, four touchdowns, one interception).
Jeremiah Robbins is one of the top running backs in the WAC and has totaled 741 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Rovaughn Banks Jr. has added 416 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
The Wildcats spread the ball to four primary receivers. Kobe Clark leads the team with 600 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Tristan Golightly has recorded 592 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and Kendall Catalon is at 328 receiving yards and one touchdown. Blayne Taylor has added 289 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
On defense, Elijah Moffett leads the squad with 44 tackles and two interceptions. Tory Hargrove sits at 40 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. Tryin Bradley finds himself in the opponent's backfield often and has totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.
Other Notes
Gipson Named WAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Gipson earned the WAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance versus Utah Tech.
Gipson, a senior, enjoyed another impact game for SFA in a hard-luck defeat at the hands of Utah Tech on Oct. 29. Gipson registered 270 all-purpose yards on 11 total touches, which included 119 yards on three punt returns. Gipson scored his second punt return touchdown of the season after bringing a Utah Tech punt back 85 yards for a score in the fourth quarter.
Campos 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 17-of-22 field goal attempts (77.27 percent) and all 42 of his PATs thus far in 2022.
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.
Players Mentioned
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