Saturday, October 21
Nacogdoches, Texas
4:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
vs
Abilene Christian University
Lumberjacks Face the Wildcats on Homecoming
10/20/2023 9:00:00 AM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (3-4, 0-2) are home after a two-week road stint to face the Abilene Christian University Wildcats (3-3, 1-1) in a conference matchup on Saturday, October 21 in Homer Bryce Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. CT. The game will also be Stephen F. Austin's homecoming game. The Lumberjacks have a 49-41-5 record in homecoming games all time.
Matchup History
Saturday's matchup will be the 24th meeting between the two programs. The all-time series is currently led by Stephen F. Austin, 13-10. The last meeting between the two teams was November 19, 2022, in Abilene, Texas which saw the Lumberjacks win by a score of 24-21. The win sealed the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship for the Lumberjacks in the 2022 season. The win was also the second time the Lumberjacks had defeated the Wildcats in one year.
A Look at SFA
The Lumberjacks' passing attack was strong against a good Central Arkansas secondary. Brian Maurer started the game going 15-for-20 with 133 total passing yards. After a fumble was recovered by the Bears defense, Maurer was injured making a touchdown saving tackle. Preston Weeks then entered the game and went 11-for-21 with 171 total passing yards and two touchdowns. The game saw 10 different SFA wide receivers have a reception in the game with Kylon Harris once again leading the way for the receiving corps. Harris, the sophomore from Laplace, Louisiana had his second career-high performance of the season with five receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown in the game extended his streak to six consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. Senior wide receiver Lawton Rikel had his first receiving touchdown of the season capping off a drive that was extended after he made a catch for 14 yards on a fake punt by Max Quick.
It was a career long pass for Quick as his previous longest pass was nine yards against Northwestern State on November 21st, 2019. Despite struggling to run the ball against a stout Bears defense, Jerrell Wimbley managed to post a 63-yard rushing performance. Wimbley also had one rushing touchdown on the day.
The Lumberjack defense posted a shutout in the first quarter of the matchup and was able to hold the Bears offense to just 10 points in the first half. The 'Jacks held the Bears quarterback Will McElvain to just 37 yards passing through the first half and only allowed three yards passing in the third quarter bringing the total to 40 passing yards allowed through the first three quarters of play. The quarterback finished the game with only 106 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Sears continued his standout season posting a 15-tackle performance and one tackle for loss. Jermaine Brown also had a game for the 'Jacks with eight total tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss. The defense was able to sack McElvain twice in the game while also having six tackles for loss for a loss of 27 total yards. Bruce Harmon also had a blocked field goal in the game.
A Look at ACU
The Wildcats are coming off their first UAC Conference win of the season against North Alabama last Saturday. The Wildcats offense totaled 333 yards of total offense in the win with quarterback Maverick McIvor passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Rovaughn Banks Jr. also rushed for 78 yards and one touchdown. Tristan Golightly led the way for the receiving corps with three receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown.
The Wildcats defense totaled four interceptions on the day and one fumble recovery despite being out gained by North Alabama 423 to 333. Elijah Moffett led the way for the defense with 13 total tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery. Cirby Coheley also had two interceptions on the day for the defense as well as 10 total tackles. Despite not recording a sack the defense had five tackles for loss for a loss of 14 yards.
Broadcast Information
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on Q107.7 FM with the voice of the Lumberjacks Rob Meyers and color analyst Hunter Taylor calling all the action.
Gameday Events
Saturday's matchup is SFA's homecoming game. The Rusche College of Business and the College of Forestry will be recognized on field during the game. The SFA Women's Indoor Track & Field team will also be recognized on field during the game for their 2023 WAC Conference Championship. Purple mini footballs will be handed out to the first 1,000 fans. All fans are encouraged to wear purple to the game. Axe'Em acres will be open at 1:00 p.m. for pregame tailgating. Fireworks will also occur post game.
Next Up
The Lumberjacks have a bye next week but will hit the road again on November 4th to Stephenville, Texas to take on Tarleton State University at 6:00 p.m. for a conference matchup.
Matchup History
Saturday's matchup will be the 24th meeting between the two programs. The all-time series is currently led by Stephen F. Austin, 13-10. The last meeting between the two teams was November 19, 2022, in Abilene, Texas which saw the Lumberjacks win by a score of 24-21. The win sealed the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championship for the Lumberjacks in the 2022 season. The win was also the second time the Lumberjacks had defeated the Wildcats in one year.
A Look at SFA
The Lumberjacks' passing attack was strong against a good Central Arkansas secondary. Brian Maurer started the game going 15-for-20 with 133 total passing yards. After a fumble was recovered by the Bears defense, Maurer was injured making a touchdown saving tackle. Preston Weeks then entered the game and went 11-for-21 with 171 total passing yards and two touchdowns. The game saw 10 different SFA wide receivers have a reception in the game with Kylon Harris once again leading the way for the receiving corps. Harris, the sophomore from Laplace, Louisiana had his second career-high performance of the season with five receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown in the game extended his streak to six consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. Senior wide receiver Lawton Rikel had his first receiving touchdown of the season capping off a drive that was extended after he made a catch for 14 yards on a fake punt by Max Quick.
It was a career long pass for Quick as his previous longest pass was nine yards against Northwestern State on November 21st, 2019. Despite struggling to run the ball against a stout Bears defense, Jerrell Wimbley managed to post a 63-yard rushing performance. Wimbley also had one rushing touchdown on the day.
The Lumberjack defense posted a shutout in the first quarter of the matchup and was able to hold the Bears offense to just 10 points in the first half. The 'Jacks held the Bears quarterback Will McElvain to just 37 yards passing through the first half and only allowed three yards passing in the third quarter bringing the total to 40 passing yards allowed through the first three quarters of play. The quarterback finished the game with only 106 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman Aaron Sears continued his standout season posting a 15-tackle performance and one tackle for loss. Jermaine Brown also had a game for the 'Jacks with eight total tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss. The defense was able to sack McElvain twice in the game while also having six tackles for loss for a loss of 27 total yards. Bruce Harmon also had a blocked field goal in the game.
A Look at ACU
The Wildcats are coming off their first UAC Conference win of the season against North Alabama last Saturday. The Wildcats offense totaled 333 yards of total offense in the win with quarterback Maverick McIvor passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Rovaughn Banks Jr. also rushed for 78 yards and one touchdown. Tristan Golightly led the way for the receiving corps with three receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown.
The Wildcats defense totaled four interceptions on the day and one fumble recovery despite being out gained by North Alabama 423 to 333. Elijah Moffett led the way for the defense with 13 total tackles, one tackle for loss and one fumble recovery. Cirby Coheley also had two interceptions on the day for the defense as well as 10 total tackles. Despite not recording a sack the defense had five tackles for loss for a loss of 14 yards.
Broadcast Information
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on Q107.7 FM with the voice of the Lumberjacks Rob Meyers and color analyst Hunter Taylor calling all the action.
Gameday Events
Saturday's matchup is SFA's homecoming game. The Rusche College of Business and the College of Forestry will be recognized on field during the game. The SFA Women's Indoor Track & Field team will also be recognized on field during the game for their 2023 WAC Conference Championship. Purple mini footballs will be handed out to the first 1,000 fans. All fans are encouraged to wear purple to the game. Axe'Em acres will be open at 1:00 p.m. for pregame tailgating. Fireworks will also occur post game.
Next Up
The Lumberjacks have a bye next week but will hit the road again on November 4th to Stephenville, Texas to take on Tarleton State University at 6:00 p.m. for a conference matchup.
Players Mentioned
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