Lumberjacks Host North American to Kick-off 2024 Campaign

Thursday, August 29

Nacogdoches, TX

7:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

North American University

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Lumberjacks Host North American to Kick-off 2024 Campaign

8/28/2024 11:40:00 AM | Football

By: Jackson Pickard, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications

NACOGDOCHES, Texas- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks football team will kick off their 2024 campaign at Homer Bryce Stadium against the North American Stallions on Thursday, August 29th, 2024. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.

Series History
This will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.

A Look at SFA
The Lumberjacks return four starters on offense and eight starters on defense as well as one special teams starter. The offense is headlined by returners Jerrell Wimbley, Anthony Williams, and Kylon Harris. Last season Wimbley, a junior running back, toted the rock 141 times and totaled 734 total yards rushing with six touchdowns, averaging five yards per game and 70 yards per game. Williams, a redshirt-junior running back, totaled 108 rushes for 515 yards and four rushing touchdowns. Williams also caught 24 passes for 319 yards and five touchdowns. Junior Kylon Harris led the offense with 61 catches for 694 yards and eight touchdowns at the wide receiver position.

The SFA defense returns eight starters in Bruce Harmon, Jeremiah Walker, Jermaine Brown, Luke Watson, Edward Bobino III, Charles Demmings, Aaron Austin, and Dylan Tooker. Senior Jermaine Brown led the team in 2023 with 87 total tackles and 38 solo tackles. Brown also had 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four quarterback hurries. Luke Watson was second on the team with 67 total tackles and 29 solo tackles. He also led the team with 9.5 tackles for loss and was second with two sacks. Watson also recovered two fumbles and had four quarterback hurries.

Senior Bruce Harmon returns in the secondary for the Lumberjacks leading the team in 2023 with nine pass breakups followed closely by Charles Demmings with eight. Demmings was also tied with senior Dylan Tooker for most interceptions (2). Junior Aaron Austin also returns looking to build off a season that saw him total 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Redshirt Sophomore Edward Bobino III also returns for the 'Jacks also looking to build off a season that saw him tally 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

A Look at NAU
The Stallions are coming off a 1-10 overall record and a 1-7 conference record in 2023. The Stallions offense was led by Derrodrick Hadn at running back as he had 51 rushing attempts for 200 total rushing yards. The Stallions return their leading quarterback from 2023 in Jesper Korkalainen. In 2023 Jesper completed 78 passes totaling 598 yards through the air and threw for four touchdowns. The Stallions are also without their leading receiver from 2023 in Colby Clark. Clark totaled 28 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Stallions do return their second leading receiver in Jason Reeves who caught 11 passes for 182 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

The Stallion's defense was led by Mason Jenkins with 48 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and eight pass breakups. The Stallions return their third leading tackler in Decarlos Johnson who totaled 47 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack in 2023.

Broadcast Information
The 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. The 2024 season marks Meyers' 30^th 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.

To buy tickets for the game against North American University click here.

The Lumberjacks will be on the road next week to take on the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas at DATCU Stadium on September 7th at 7:00 p.m. CT. To buy tickets for the game click here.