Lumberjacks Fall to Lions

Saturday, November 9

Commerce, TX

3:30 PM

Stephen F. Austin

6-4 , 4-2

East Texas A&M University

2-8 , 1-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

SFA

East Texas A&M

11/9/2024 9:19:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: Jackson Pickard, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications

COMMERCE, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (6-4, 4-2) fell to the East Texas A&M Lions (2-8, 1-3) on Saturday in a non-conference matchup in Commerce, Texas by a final score of 19-14.

Both team's defenses would flex their muscles through the first quarter with the only points of the game coming on a Lions field goal to take a 3-0 lead. The Lumberjacks would not let the Lions' lead last long as they mounted a 15-play, 75-yard drive capped off by Qualan Jones' first rushing touchdown of the game to take a 7-3 lead.

The Lumberjacks kept their momentum going as the Lions fumbled the ensuing kickoff, allowing Tyler Hutcherson to recover the ball and setting the Jacks up at the East Texas A&M 18-yard line. SFA would find the endzone again four plays later as Jerrell Wimbley took a direct snap in for his first rushing touchdown of the game.

Josiah Cotton would force a Lions fumble which was recovered by Victor Idusuyi setting the offense up at the East Texas A&M 27-yard line. The Lions defense would stand tall and force a field goal attempt. A bad snap on the field goal try would give the ball back to the Lions on their own 33-yard line. Tony Anyanwu would force the third Lions fumble of the game, and it would be picked up by Josiah Cotton to give the 'Jacks yet another short field at the East Texas A&M 38-yard line. SFA would work their way into the red zone but would fail to convert for the first time this season coming away with no points.

East Texas A&M would cut into the SFA lead right before halftime, scoring a touchdown with 1:03 to go in the second quarter, 14-10. The Lumberjacks would get the ball back but would fail to score taking a 14-10 lead into the half.

At the half Gavin Rutherford was 14-for-22 and 80 yards passing. Kylon Harris led the receiving corps with six catches for 27 yards. Qualan Jones led the Lumberjack's ground game with 10 rushes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Trashawn Adams led the defense with five tackles. SFA also recovered three Lions fumbles in the first half.

East Texas A&M would cut into the Lumberjacks lead yet again with another field goal, but the Lumberjacks still led 14-13. The Lions would score a touchdown to open the fourth quarter to take the lead 19-14.

The Lumberjacks offense struggled to find their rhythm the whole second half but a 59-yard completion from Gavin Rutherford to Kylon Harris would set the Lumberjacks up at the Lions seven yard line. SFA would not convert and the Lions would get the ball back with 1:25 remaining on the clock. The Lions would pick up a first down and kneel the clock out to win.

Player Highlights
Gavin Rutherford: 193 yards passing (career high)
Kylon Harris: 119 yards receiving (season high)
Qualan Jones: 94 yards rushing
Josiah Cotton: 8 tackles

The Lumberjacks will return home for the final two games of the season. SFA will face UIW next Saturday, November 16th at 2:00 P.M. CT.

TICKET INFORMATION
Join SFA Football at Homer Bryce Stadium for their final two home games! Season tickets and single-game tickets for the final two home games are on sale now. Fans can visit SFAtickets.com for more information.

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