Saturday, October 21
Nacogdoches, Texas
4:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
3-5 , 0-3
27
vs
34
Abilene Christian University
4-3 , 2-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Abilene Christian
3
10
14
7
34
SFA
7
10
7
3
27
SFA Falls 34-27 to ACU in Homecoming Bout
10/21/2023 8:29:00 PM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (3-4, 0-3) faced off against the Abilene Christian Wildcats (4-3, 2-1) today at Homer Bryce Stadium. For SFA's homecoming. SFA lost the contest 24-21
The Lumberjacks had the chance to score first, following the Wildcats diferring to the second half. After the opening kick resulted in a touchback, Preston Weeks began his first career drive as a starter. Weeks put together a well-executed drive that was capped off with a perfectly placed 21-yard touchdown to Kylon Harris. Harris has now scored seven touchdowns in the last six games. With 9:23 remaining in the first quarter SFA led 7-0.
Abilene Christian's first drive consisted of some early high tempo offense and hard running. Jay'Veon Sunday used his legs to get the Wildcats into range for a 42-yard Kyle Ramsey field goal that cut the Lumberjack's lead to 7-3, with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter.
Both defenses held the offenses at 7-3 through the bulk of the first quarter. Preston Weeks threw his first interception of the season following a ball that was tipped off his receiver's hands into the possession of the ACU defender.
The Wildcats began the second quarter with the ball but a quick three and out forced them punt. However, a botched snap on the punt resulted in SFA regaining the ball in ACU's own endzone. The 'Jacks turned the ball back over after Weeks' high throw was intercepted by Elijah Moffett.
ACU didn't waste any time after the interception as Jay'Veon Sunday regained the lead for the Wildcats on an 82-yard run up the middle. With 14:22 remaining in the second quarter ACU led 10-7.
SFA began their fourth drive at their own 25-yard line. Weeks found Kylon Harris on a 37-yard reception that got the 'Jacks set up in the Wildcats' part of the field. However, the Lumberjacks were stopped just short of the endzone and settled for a 21-yard Chris Campos field goal. With 8:40 remaining in the second quarter the game was tied 10-10.
ACU got the ball back and drove down the field on a meticulous 14 play 53-yard drive that was once again was dominated by the Wildcats' ground game. Kyle Ramsey capped off the drive with a 40-yard field goal that gave Abilene Christian a 13-10 lead with 2:25 left in the half.
SFA began their drive on the 25-yard line and began their two-minute offense. Preston Weeks got rolling again as he was able to cap off a four play 75-yard drive with a 65-yard touchdown connection to Ty Love. With 1:14 remaining in the half the Lumberjacks led 17-13.
ACU got their own chance at running their two-minute offense. The Wildcat's drove down the field with their no huddle offense but ran out of time and decided to handoff that wound the clock down to :00. At the end of the half SFA led 17-13.
Preston Weeks finished the half with 14/22 for 183 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Lumberjacks defense held the ACU offense to 33 total passing yards led by two-time UAC Freshman of the Week Aaron Sears who had eight tackles at the half.
After diferring to the second half, ACU received the kickoff following halftime. Maverick Mclvor marched the Wildcats down the field and found Hut Graham for a 36-yard reception. The drive was capped off with a Rovaughn Banks Jr. 14-yard rushing touchdown. With 12:25 in the third quarter ACU retook a 20-17 lead.
Jerrell Wimbley got the drive started with a 17-yard rush. Wimbley then capped off the drive with a 44-yard rushing touchdown that put him over 100 rushing yards for the third time this year. With 10:19 in the third quarter SFA led once again 24-20.
The game's next points came from Abilene Christian late in the third. With 3:17 left in the quarter Maverick Mclvor found Cooper McCasland on a 6-yard touchdown reception that gave ACU a 26-24 lead.
The Wildcats got the ball back following a Lumberjack fumble on the kickoff.
SFA's defense continued its dominant passing defense after Charles Demmings intercepted Hut Graham's first pass of the drive.
Stephen F. Austin got their drive started with an ACU targeting penalty that resulted in the second ejection for the Wildcats. After having a fourth down conversion negated by an offensive penalty call, the 'Jacks were forced to punt.
At the end of the third quarter the Wildcats held a 27-24 lead over the Lumberjacks.
ACU began the fourth quarter with the ball at their own 19-yard line. SFA's defense forced the Wildcats to punt from deep in their own side of the field and got the ball back at the 36-yard line.
With his 11-yard rush, Jerrell Wimbley reached 149 rushing yards and set a new career high in single game rushing yards. SFA drove the ball down the field close enough for Chris Campos to boot a game-tying 36-yard field that tied the game at 27-27 with 11:00 left in the fourth quarter.
The game's next points from Abilene Christian on a 6-yard pass over the middle from Maverick Mclvor to Blayne Taylor. With 6:20 left in the game ACU led the 'Jacks 34-27.
SFA began their fourth quarter drive from their own 25-yard line. The 'Jacks went for it on fourth down but were unsuccessful after Weeks' long pass intended for Kylon Harris was incomplete.
After another crucial stop by the Lumberjack defense SFA got one more opportunity to score. The 'Jacks got their drive started with 2:42 on the clock. On fourth down Preston Weeks found Connor Mullins for an 11-yard completion that gave SFA a fresh set of downs. However, the Lumberjacks failed to convert on a second fourth down try.
The Wildcats kneeled the rest of the clock out and won the game 34-27. Stephen F. Austin will have a bye week next week and will be in action next on November 4th at Tarleton State.
SFA Statistical Leaders:
The Lumberjacks had the chance to score first, following the Wildcats diferring to the second half. After the opening kick resulted in a touchback, Preston Weeks began his first career drive as a starter. Weeks put together a well-executed drive that was capped off with a perfectly placed 21-yard touchdown to Kylon Harris. Harris has now scored seven touchdowns in the last six games. With 9:23 remaining in the first quarter SFA led 7-0.
Abilene Christian's first drive consisted of some early high tempo offense and hard running. Jay'Veon Sunday used his legs to get the Wildcats into range for a 42-yard Kyle Ramsey field goal that cut the Lumberjack's lead to 7-3, with 5:55 remaining in the first quarter.
Both defenses held the offenses at 7-3 through the bulk of the first quarter. Preston Weeks threw his first interception of the season following a ball that was tipped off his receiver's hands into the possession of the ACU defender.
The Wildcats began the second quarter with the ball but a quick three and out forced them punt. However, a botched snap on the punt resulted in SFA regaining the ball in ACU's own endzone. The 'Jacks turned the ball back over after Weeks' high throw was intercepted by Elijah Moffett.
ACU didn't waste any time after the interception as Jay'Veon Sunday regained the lead for the Wildcats on an 82-yard run up the middle. With 14:22 remaining in the second quarter ACU led 10-7.
SFA began their fourth drive at their own 25-yard line. Weeks found Kylon Harris on a 37-yard reception that got the 'Jacks set up in the Wildcats' part of the field. However, the Lumberjacks were stopped just short of the endzone and settled for a 21-yard Chris Campos field goal. With 8:40 remaining in the second quarter the game was tied 10-10.
ACU got the ball back and drove down the field on a meticulous 14 play 53-yard drive that was once again was dominated by the Wildcats' ground game. Kyle Ramsey capped off the drive with a 40-yard field goal that gave Abilene Christian a 13-10 lead with 2:25 left in the half.
SFA began their drive on the 25-yard line and began their two-minute offense. Preston Weeks got rolling again as he was able to cap off a four play 75-yard drive with a 65-yard touchdown connection to Ty Love. With 1:14 remaining in the half the Lumberjacks led 17-13.
ACU got their own chance at running their two-minute offense. The Wildcat's drove down the field with their no huddle offense but ran out of time and decided to handoff that wound the clock down to :00. At the end of the half SFA led 17-13.
Preston Weeks finished the half with 14/22 for 183 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Lumberjacks defense held the ACU offense to 33 total passing yards led by two-time UAC Freshman of the Week Aaron Sears who had eight tackles at the half.
After diferring to the second half, ACU received the kickoff following halftime. Maverick Mclvor marched the Wildcats down the field and found Hut Graham for a 36-yard reception. The drive was capped off with a Rovaughn Banks Jr. 14-yard rushing touchdown. With 12:25 in the third quarter ACU retook a 20-17 lead.
Jerrell Wimbley got the drive started with a 17-yard rush. Wimbley then capped off the drive with a 44-yard rushing touchdown that put him over 100 rushing yards for the third time this year. With 10:19 in the third quarter SFA led once again 24-20.
The game's next points came from Abilene Christian late in the third. With 3:17 left in the quarter Maverick Mclvor found Cooper McCasland on a 6-yard touchdown reception that gave ACU a 26-24 lead.
The Wildcats got the ball back following a Lumberjack fumble on the kickoff.
SFA's defense continued its dominant passing defense after Charles Demmings intercepted Hut Graham's first pass of the drive.
Stephen F. Austin got their drive started with an ACU targeting penalty that resulted in the second ejection for the Wildcats. After having a fourth down conversion negated by an offensive penalty call, the 'Jacks were forced to punt.
At the end of the third quarter the Wildcats held a 27-24 lead over the Lumberjacks.
ACU began the fourth quarter with the ball at their own 19-yard line. SFA's defense forced the Wildcats to punt from deep in their own side of the field and got the ball back at the 36-yard line.
With his 11-yard rush, Jerrell Wimbley reached 149 rushing yards and set a new career high in single game rushing yards. SFA drove the ball down the field close enough for Chris Campos to boot a game-tying 36-yard field that tied the game at 27-27 with 11:00 left in the fourth quarter.
The game's next points from Abilene Christian on a 6-yard pass over the middle from Maverick Mclvor to Blayne Taylor. With 6:20 left in the game ACU led the 'Jacks 34-27.
SFA began their fourth quarter drive from their own 25-yard line. The 'Jacks went for it on fourth down but were unsuccessful after Weeks' long pass intended for Kylon Harris was incomplete.
After another crucial stop by the Lumberjack defense SFA got one more opportunity to score. The 'Jacks got their drive started with 2:42 on the clock. On fourth down Preston Weeks found Connor Mullins for an 11-yard completion that gave SFA a fresh set of downs. However, the Lumberjacks failed to convert on a second fourth down try.
The Wildcats kneeled the rest of the clock out and won the game 34-27. Stephen F. Austin will have a bye week next week and will be in action next on November 4th at Tarleton State.
SFA Statistical Leaders:
| Passing: Preston Weeks | 24-40 (60%), 278 passing yds 2-2 (TD-INT) |
| Rushing: Jerrell Wimbley | 20 for 165 yards (8.3), 1 TD |
| Receiving: Kylon Harris | 5 for 75 yards (14.8), 1 TD |
| Aaron Sears | 5 solo, 6 assisted (11 TOT) |
| Aaron Austin | 6 solo, 4 assisted (10 TOT), 2 TFL |
| Jermaine Brown | 8 assisted (8 TOT), 1 PBU |
Team Stats
ACU
SFA
Total Yards
417
472
Pass Yards
145
278
Rushing Yards
272
194
Penalty Yards
60
50
1st Downs
22
23
3rd Downs
5
6
4th Downs
2
2
TOP
29:15
30:45
1st Quarter
ACU 0, SFA 7
SFA - Harris,Kylon 21 yd pass from Weeks,Preston (Campos,Chris kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:37
ACU 3, SFA 7
ACU - Ramsey,Kyle 42 yd field goal 9 plays, 40 yards, TOP 03:28
2nd Quarter
ACU 10, SFA 7
ACU - Sunday,Jay'Veon 82 yd run (Ramsey,Kyle kick), 2 plays, 82 yards, TOP 00:19
ACU 10, SFA 10
SFA - Campos,Chris 21 yd field goal 12 plays, 71 yards, TOP 05:42
ACU 13, SFA 10
ACU - Ramsey,Kyle 40 yd field goal 13 plays, 53 yards, TOP 06:15
ACU 13, SFA 17
SFA - Love,Ty 65 yd pass from Weeks,Preston (Campos,Chris kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:01
3rd Quarter
ACU 20, SFA 17
ACU - Banks Jr. ,Rovaughn 14 yd run (Ramsey,Kyle kick), 6 plays, 71 yards, TOP 02:31
ACU 20, SFA 24
SFA - Wimbley,Jerrell 44 yd run (Campos,Chris kick), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:06
ACU 27, SFA 24
ACU - McCasland,Cooper 6 yd pass from McIvor,Maverick (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 03:51
4th Quarter
ACU 27, SFA 27
SFA - Campos,Chris 36 yd field goal 9 plays, 45 yards, TOP 02:48
ACU 34, SFA 27
ACU - Taylor,Blayne 10 yd pass from McIvor,Maverick (Ramsey,Kyle kick) 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 04:40
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
24
TD
2
YDS
278
INT
2
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K
/ Football
CB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
CB
/ FootballQB
/ Football
RB
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