SFA Falls in Season Opener

Saturday, August 27

Montgomery, Ala.

2:30 PM

Stephen F. Austin

0-1 , 0-0

Jacksonville State

1-0 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Jacksonville St.

Stephen F. Austin

8/27/2022 8:17:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Gipson Sets SFA Career Receiving Yards Record

By: Amanda Paver, SFA Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Jacksonville State defeated Stephen F. Austin 42-17 in the Kickoff Classic from the historic Cramton Bowl. The game was ended at the 13:18 mark in the fourth quarter due to an extended lightning delay.

SFA scored at 6:33 in the first quarter when Trae Self threw a perfectly-timed fade route to Darryle Simmons in the corner of the end zone and the Lumberjacks opened a 7-0 lead.

JSU countered and knotted it at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Two minutes into the second quarter All-American Xavier Gipson scored on a 50-yard pitch-and-catch from Self, and SFA regained the lead at 14-7. Gipson also broke the SFA all-time receiving yards record on the touchdown reception. Gipson broke the mark held by former 'Jack great Cordell Roberson (3,191) who played from 2009-2012.

Chris Campos added a 36-yard field goal and the 'Jacks opened a 17-7 second quarter lead.

The Gamecocks scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the second quarter and went into halftime with a 21-17 lead.

Gipson finished with six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Self completed 14-of-29 passes for 135 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Miles Reed rushed for 75 yards on 15 attempts, including a long of 40 yards.

Tkai Lloyd finished with a game-high 11 tackles and one forced fumble. Myles Heard and DaRyan Williams each added eight stops.

The 'Jacks return to the gridiron Saturday, September 3 at Alcorn State. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

The ASUN Conference issued a post-game statement regarding the decision to end the game after a 1-hour, 46-minute delay:

After suspending play because of lightning with 13:18 in the fourth quarter with Jacksonville State leading 42-17 over Stephen F. Austin, it was determined that the game could not be resumed without significant risk to the health and safety of the student athletes. Per NCAA rules 3-3-3c(2) and with both institutions in complete agreement, the game was ended with the final score 42-17.