Saturday, October 5
Nacogdoches, TX
7:00 PM
Stephen F. Austin
vs
Northwestern State University
Lumberjacks Host Demons as They Honor Cally Belcher
10/3/2024 2:00:00 PM | Football
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (2-2, 0-1 SLC) host the Northwestern State Demons (0-5, 0-0 SLC) in their Southland Conference home opener. The Lumberjacks will honor Presley Calloway "Cally" Belcher during the game.
Cally Belcher Day
The 'Jacks will remember Presley Calloway "Cally" Belcher, a SFA all-conference defensive back who passed away from a brain aneurysm following a spring practice in 1994. Born in 1971, Belcher was a three-year letter winner for SFA at the strong safety position and helped lead the 'Jacks to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1993.
During a spring practice on March 22, 1994, Belcher was going through drills and took a blow to the helmet. He collapsed on the field and was transported to the hospital where he stayed in a coma for a week. On March 29, 1994, at 22 years old, Belcher passed away.
Known as one of the hardest hitters in the Southland at the time, Belcher's number 16 jersey was permanently retired on Sept. 10, 1994, with a special halftime ceremony during a game versus Montana State. For 20 years the No. 16 jersey was never worn by a SFA player until the 20th anniversary of Belcher's passing in 2014, when the first Cally Belcher game was held at Homer Bryce Stadium. Wide receiver Aaron Thomas was the first player to wear the No. 16 jersey since its retirement during the 'Jacks' 35-20 home win over Weber State on Sept. 20, 2014. Previous players who have worn the jersey since 2014 include:
2014 Aaron Thomas, Wide Receiver
2015 Joshawa West, Running Back
2016 Jamal Allen, Defensive End
2017 Marlon Walls, Safety
2018 Cody Williams, Wide Receiver
2019 Quin Jones, Corner Back
2020 Heston Kelly, Wide Receiver,
2021 Max Quick, Punter
2022 Xavier Gipson, Wide Receiver
2023 Tkai Lloyd, Defensive Back
The player wearing the number 16 jersey for the Lumberjacks tomorrow vs. the Demons will be announced at the team's pregame meal on Saturday.
Series History
Saturday's meeting marks the 78th time the Lumberjacks and the Demons have squared off. The Demons currently hold a 46-28-3 all-time series lead over the Lumberjacks in a series that dates back to November 7th, 1924, which saw a Northwestern State win by a final score of 7-3. SFA is currently on a two-game win streak against Northwestern State including a win in the most recent matchup by a score of 41-7 in Natchitoches.
A New Trophy
The two teams will be unveiling a new trophy at Saturday's game. Officials from both universities have decided to replace the retired wooden statue "Chief Caddo" with a new wooden trophy designed by chainsaw artist Della Meredith. The new trophy has the same 7-foot-6, 320-pound dimensions as the original, commissioned by both universities in 1960. It is topped with a pitchfork on one end and an axe on the other, with scores from past games adorning the length of the trophy. The winning team will display the trophy with its representative logo facing upward.
A Look at SFA
The Lumberjacks are coming off a dominant 48-7 win over Northern Colorado and a bye week for the team. The SFA offense looked potent against the Bears once again totaling 509 yards of offense and averaging 7.5 yards per play. Sam Vidlak led the way once again going 16-for-26 and 219 passing yards with three touchdowns. His three-touchdown performance was the third 3+ touchdown game of the season and his second consecutive. Jaylen Jenkins paved the way for the rushing attack against the Bears with six carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Jenkins also ripped off a career high 72-yard touchdown run which also ranks him 12th in Lumberjacks history for longest rush. Blaine Green led the way with five receptions for 93 yards. Kylon Harris and Qualan Jones also special performances as both players surpassed the 1,000-career yard receiving and 1,000-career yard rushing marks respectively.
The Lumberjack's defense was stout yet again allowing just 242 total yards of offense with only 18 of those yards through the air. The defense also forced nine punts. Josiah Cotton led the way for the defense with 11 total tackles tying his career high mark. Cotton also recorded a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. Ky Thomas also led the defense with two tackles for loss. The defense currently ranks first in the FCS in tackles for loss per game (9.8).
A Look at Northwestern State
The Demons are coming off a close loss when they went on the road to take on 13th or 14th ranked Southeast Missouri State. The Demons lost the game by a final score of 0-19 marking their fifth straight loss of the season. The Northwestern state offense was held to 120 total yards against a stout SEMO defense. Quaterius Hawkins led the way for the passing attack going 5-for-6 with 51 yards through the air. Zay Davis led the way on the ground for the Demons as he rushed seven time for 16 yards. Travon Jones also totaled three catches for 26 yards to lead all Demons receivers.
Blake Gotcher had a massive game for Northwestern State totaling 16 tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry. Antonio Hall also recorded an interception in the loss.
Broadcast Information
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Chris Simmons on play-by-play and Courtnee Garcia on color and on Q107.7 FM with The Voice of The Lumberjacks Rob Meyers and color analyst Hunter Taylor calling all the action. The 2024 season marks Meyers' 30th season calling play-by-play for the Lumberjacks. You can also follow all the action live on social media and check live stats at sfajacks.com.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Football at Homer Bryce Stadium this fall! Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
Cally Belcher Day
The 'Jacks will remember Presley Calloway "Cally" Belcher, a SFA all-conference defensive back who passed away from a brain aneurysm following a spring practice in 1994. Born in 1971, Belcher was a three-year letter winner for SFA at the strong safety position and helped lead the 'Jacks to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1993.
During a spring practice on March 22, 1994, Belcher was going through drills and took a blow to the helmet. He collapsed on the field and was transported to the hospital where he stayed in a coma for a week. On March 29, 1994, at 22 years old, Belcher passed away.
Known as one of the hardest hitters in the Southland at the time, Belcher's number 16 jersey was permanently retired on Sept. 10, 1994, with a special halftime ceremony during a game versus Montana State. For 20 years the No. 16 jersey was never worn by a SFA player until the 20th anniversary of Belcher's passing in 2014, when the first Cally Belcher game was held at Homer Bryce Stadium. Wide receiver Aaron Thomas was the first player to wear the No. 16 jersey since its retirement during the 'Jacks' 35-20 home win over Weber State on Sept. 20, 2014. Previous players who have worn the jersey since 2014 include:
2014 Aaron Thomas, Wide Receiver
2015 Joshawa West, Running Back
2016 Jamal Allen, Defensive End
2017 Marlon Walls, Safety
2018 Cody Williams, Wide Receiver
2019 Quin Jones, Corner Back
2020 Heston Kelly, Wide Receiver,
2021 Max Quick, Punter
2022 Xavier Gipson, Wide Receiver
2023 Tkai Lloyd, Defensive Back
The player wearing the number 16 jersey for the Lumberjacks tomorrow vs. the Demons will be announced at the team's pregame meal on Saturday.
Series History
Saturday's meeting marks the 78th time the Lumberjacks and the Demons have squared off. The Demons currently hold a 46-28-3 all-time series lead over the Lumberjacks in a series that dates back to November 7th, 1924, which saw a Northwestern State win by a final score of 7-3. SFA is currently on a two-game win streak against Northwestern State including a win in the most recent matchup by a score of 41-7 in Natchitoches.
A New Trophy
The two teams will be unveiling a new trophy at Saturday's game. Officials from both universities have decided to replace the retired wooden statue "Chief Caddo" with a new wooden trophy designed by chainsaw artist Della Meredith. The new trophy has the same 7-foot-6, 320-pound dimensions as the original, commissioned by both universities in 1960. It is topped with a pitchfork on one end and an axe on the other, with scores from past games adorning the length of the trophy. The winning team will display the trophy with its representative logo facing upward.
A Look at SFA
The Lumberjacks are coming off a dominant 48-7 win over Northern Colorado and a bye week for the team. The SFA offense looked potent against the Bears once again totaling 509 yards of offense and averaging 7.5 yards per play. Sam Vidlak led the way once again going 16-for-26 and 219 passing yards with three touchdowns. His three-touchdown performance was the third 3+ touchdown game of the season and his second consecutive. Jaylen Jenkins paved the way for the rushing attack against the Bears with six carries for 80 yards and a touchdown. Jenkins also ripped off a career high 72-yard touchdown run which also ranks him 12th in Lumberjacks history for longest rush. Blaine Green led the way with five receptions for 93 yards. Kylon Harris and Qualan Jones also special performances as both players surpassed the 1,000-career yard receiving and 1,000-career yard rushing marks respectively.
The Lumberjack's defense was stout yet again allowing just 242 total yards of offense with only 18 of those yards through the air. The defense also forced nine punts. Josiah Cotton led the way for the defense with 11 total tackles tying his career high mark. Cotton also recorded a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. Ky Thomas also led the defense with two tackles for loss. The defense currently ranks first in the FCS in tackles for loss per game (9.8).
A Look at Northwestern State
The Demons are coming off a close loss when they went on the road to take on 13th or 14th ranked Southeast Missouri State. The Demons lost the game by a final score of 0-19 marking their fifth straight loss of the season. The Northwestern state offense was held to 120 total yards against a stout SEMO defense. Quaterius Hawkins led the way for the passing attack going 5-for-6 with 51 yards through the air. Zay Davis led the way on the ground for the Demons as he rushed seven time for 16 yards. Travon Jones also totaled three catches for 26 yards to lead all Demons receivers.
Blake Gotcher had a massive game for Northwestern State totaling 16 tackles, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry. Antonio Hall also recorded an interception in the loss.
Broadcast Information
The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Chris Simmons on play-by-play and Courtnee Garcia on color and on Q107.7 FM with The Voice of The Lumberjacks Rob Meyers and color analyst Hunter Taylor calling all the action. The 2024 season marks Meyers' 30th season calling play-by-play for the Lumberjacks. You can also follow all the action live on social media and check live stats at sfajacks.com.
TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Football at Homer Bryce Stadium this fall! Season tickets and single game tickets are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.
FOLLOW THE LUMBERJACKS
For all the latest information on SFA football, visit SFAjacks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Lumberjacks on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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