Lumberjacks Fall to Cowboys in Conference Opener

Saturday, September 14

Lake Charles, LA

7:00 PM

Stephen F. Austin

1-2 , 0-1

McNeese State University

2-2 , 1-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
SFA	0	10	14	0	24
McNeese	0	7	7	14	28

Game Notes (PDF)

Lumberjacks Fall to Cowboys in Conference Opener

9/14/2024 11:33:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: Jackson Pickard, Graduate Assistant for Strategic Communications

Lake Charles, La.- The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (1-2, 0-1 SLC) football team made their return to the Southland Conference tonight against the McNeese State Cowboys (2-2, 1-0 SLC) in a Saturday night conference opener in Lake Charles. The Lumberjacks fell short in a game that came down to the last minute by a score of 28-24.

Both defenses stood tall in the first quarter not allowing a score. The Lumberjacks offense was held to 81 total yards. The Lumberjack's defense was able to hold the Cowboys offense to just 35 yards.

After a SFA fumble to open the second quarter the Cowboys drove down the field but missed a 42-yard field goal giving the ball right back to the Lumberjacks. The Lumberjacks were able to strike first as Chris Campos 31-yard field goal was good. The field goal marked Campos' 71st made field goal of his career. With 5:22 left in the second quarter the Lumberjacks took the lead 3-0.

The Lumberjack defense forced a three and out on the next possession which was capped off by a failed fake punt that was sniffed out by the SFA defense setting the offense up on the McNeese 33-yard line. The Lumberjacks found the endzone one play later as Sam Vidlak completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Williams to extend the Lumberjacks led. The series was capped off by Chis Campos 50th straight made PAT putting the Lumberjacks ahead 10-0 with 3:04 to go before the half.

Both teams exchanged defensive stops at the end of the second quarter, but the Cowboys got the ball back with three second on the play clock. McNeese heaved a Hail Mary to the endzone as time expired and the pass was completed to cut into the Lumberjacks lead. SFA led 10-7 at the half.

Sam Vidlak ended the first half 11-for-15 with 97 yards and one touchdown. Qualan Jones had 11 rushes for 52 yards and Kylon Harris ended the first half with four receptions for 40 yards.

After winning their first coin toss of the year and deferring to the second half, the Lumberjacks mounted a nine play 75-yard drive that was capped off after Sam Vidlak connected with Blaine Green over the middle for a 24-yard passing touchdown. The Lumberjacks extended their lead 17-7 with 11:30 left in the third quarter. The Cowboys answered right back with a scoring drive of their own cutting into the Lumberjacks lead 17-14 with 9:08 to go in the third quarter.

The Lumberjacks then extended their lead as Sam Vidlak found Isaiah Davis for a 61-yard touchdown pass. This was Davis's second consecutive game with a receiving touchdown. With 4:37 the Lumberjacks led 24-14.

The third quarter came to an end with the Lumberjacks still leading 24-14. Qualan Jones collected 22 rushes for 108 yards through three quarters of play and Sam Vidlak was 16-for-23 with 210 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The Cowboys cut into the Lumberjacks lead with 7:37 left in the fourth quarter but the Lumberjacks still led 24-21.

The Cowboys mounted a 12 play 80-yard drive to take the lead with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter. SFA trailed 28-24.

The Lumberjack offense couldn't get anything going in the remaining 31 seconds and fell to the Cowboys in the conference opener.

Qualan Jones set career highs in carries with 27 and rushing yards with 155. Two former Montana quarterbacks also squared off tonight between Clifton McDowell and Sam Vidlak.

Top performers
Qualan Jones: 27 rush attempts (career high)
Qualan Jones: 155 rushing yards (career high)
Sam Vidlak: passing yards (241)
Kylon Harris: receptions (5)
Kylon Harris: receiving yards (66)
Ed Bobino: tackles (8)
Jaydon Southard: tackles (8)

The Lumberjacks will be back in action Saturday, September 21st at 7:00 P.M. CT against Northern Colorado for parents' weekend.

TICKET INFORMATION
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