Saturday, September 13
Nacogdoches, TX
7:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin
1-2 , 0-0
vs
Sul Ross State
0-2 , 0-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Sul Ross St.
0
0
0
0
0
Stephen F. Austin
21
35
7
0
63
Photo by: Erika Cruz
‘Jacks Rout Sul Ross in Home Opener
9/13/2025 10:58:00 PM | Football
SFA wins for 20th time inside Homer Bryce since start of ’20 campaign
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Fifty-six first half points by Stephen F. Austin prompted eight-minute quarters in the second half of Saturday night's home opener against Division II Sul Ross State as the 'Jacks routed their former Lone Star Conference foe 63-0 in front of 3,100+ fans inside Homer Bryce Stadium.
It happened early and it happened often in the opening thirty minutes as three first quarter scores included Sam Vidlak connections to Richard Reese from 64 yards out to conclude a five-play drive and then to Kylon Harris on the opening play of a drive for 32 yards and a 21-0 advantage at the 4:42 mark of the first quarter. The touchdown passes followed a 10-yard rush by Jerrell Wimbley who opened scoring in the win and capped a six-play, 68-yard drive on SFA's first offensive possession of the evening.
Reese's first of two scores in the win was set up because of a defensive stop by the 'Jacks that saw Jaiydyn Johnson pick off his first career pass.
Wimbley found paydirt again with just under 11 minutes to play before the intermission to give the 'Jacks a 28-0 lead. SFA then cashed in on 74-second stretch that resulted in 21 points as the 'Jacks defense delivered a pair of fumble recovery touchdowns with Saco Alofipo falling on a loose football in the endzone 61 seconds prior to a Michael Woods' scoop and score from nine yards out as SFA moved out front 49-0. Both defensive scores followed a 58-yard race for six by Reese who finished with 142 all-purpose yards and the two scores.
SFA found the endzone two more times on Saturday night as Gavin Rutherford found Isaiah Davis four strides from the paint for the final six of the first half. The lone second half score, much different than any of the six sub-two-minute scoring drives in the opening half, resulted in Anthony Williams Jr. punching in from a yard out to put a firm bow on an 11-play, 75-yard jaunt that took 5:15 of the eight-minute third quarter.
SCORING DRIVES
1Q (11:31) | 6 plays, 68 yards, 1:51 | Jerrell Wimbley 10-yard rush; Alvarado kick
1Q (7:14) | 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:20 | Richard Reese 64-yard reception from Sam Vidlak; Alvarado kick
1Q (4:42) | 1 play, 32 yards, 0:06 | Kylon Harris 32-yard reception from Sam Vidlak; Alvarado kick
2Q (10:58) | 3 plays, 28 yards, 0:53 | Jerrell Wimbley 12-yard rush, Alvarado kick
2Q (8:13) | 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:35 | Richard Reese 58-yard rush, Alvarado kick
2Q (8:00) | Saco Alofipo fumble recovery in the endzone, Alvarado kick
2Q (6:59) | Michael Woods 9-yard fumble return TD, Alvarado kick
2Q (1:24) | 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:23 | Isaiah Davis 30-yard reception from Gavin Rutherford, Alvarado kick
3Q (2:45) | 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:15 | Anthony Williams Jr. 1-yard rush, Alvarado kick
POSTGAME NOTES
The home stretch continues for the 'Jacks next Saturday as FCS action resumes. SFA meets Cal Poly for the first time in program history. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live coverage links will be made available at www.SFAjacks.com.
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.
It happened early and it happened often in the opening thirty minutes as three first quarter scores included Sam Vidlak connections to Richard Reese from 64 yards out to conclude a five-play drive and then to Kylon Harris on the opening play of a drive for 32 yards and a 21-0 advantage at the 4:42 mark of the first quarter. The touchdown passes followed a 10-yard rush by Jerrell Wimbley who opened scoring in the win and capped a six-play, 68-yard drive on SFA's first offensive possession of the evening.
Reese's first of two scores in the win was set up because of a defensive stop by the 'Jacks that saw Jaiydyn Johnson pick off his first career pass.
Wimbley found paydirt again with just under 11 minutes to play before the intermission to give the 'Jacks a 28-0 lead. SFA then cashed in on 74-second stretch that resulted in 21 points as the 'Jacks defense delivered a pair of fumble recovery touchdowns with Saco Alofipo falling on a loose football in the endzone 61 seconds prior to a Michael Woods' scoop and score from nine yards out as SFA moved out front 49-0. Both defensive scores followed a 58-yard race for six by Reese who finished with 142 all-purpose yards and the two scores.
SFA found the endzone two more times on Saturday night as Gavin Rutherford found Isaiah Davis four strides from the paint for the final six of the first half. The lone second half score, much different than any of the six sub-two-minute scoring drives in the opening half, resulted in Anthony Williams Jr. punching in from a yard out to put a firm bow on an 11-play, 75-yard jaunt that took 5:15 of the eight-minute third quarter.
SCORING DRIVES
1Q (11:31) | 6 plays, 68 yards, 1:51 | Jerrell Wimbley 10-yard rush; Alvarado kick
1Q (7:14) | 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:20 | Richard Reese 64-yard reception from Sam Vidlak; Alvarado kick
1Q (4:42) | 1 play, 32 yards, 0:06 | Kylon Harris 32-yard reception from Sam Vidlak; Alvarado kick
2Q (10:58) | 3 plays, 28 yards, 0:53 | Jerrell Wimbley 12-yard rush, Alvarado kick
2Q (8:13) | 2 plays, 62 yards, 0:35 | Richard Reese 58-yard rush, Alvarado kick
2Q (8:00) | Saco Alofipo fumble recovery in the endzone, Alvarado kick
2Q (6:59) | Michael Woods 9-yard fumble return TD, Alvarado kick
2Q (1:24) | 4 plays, 67 yards, 1:23 | Isaiah Davis 30-yard reception from Gavin Rutherford, Alvarado kick
3Q (2:45) | 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:15 | Anthony Williams Jr. 1-yard rush, Alvarado kick
POSTGAME NOTES
- SFA moves to 19-8 all-time against Sul Ross and has now won five straight against the Lobos
- Saturday night's victory is the 20th for SFA since the start of the 2020 campaign
- The 'Jacks' record in home openers now stands at 6-1 under Carthel
- SFA improves to 8-0 in non-Division I games under Carthel
- The 'Jacks defense held SRS to -36 total yards on 38 plays and allowed the Lobos to convert just one third down, while forcing six fumbles, recovering three and grabbing an endzone interception
- True freshman Sema'J Avery led nine 'Jacks with multiple stops as he registered seven and Malachi Williams chipped in with five including three solos
- SFA delivered a dozen tackles for loss with Victor Idusuyi II recording a sack
- Vidlak was a highly efficient 11-of-14 passing for 211 yards and Rutherford was perfect in limited attempts as all three of his passes were caught for 74 total yards
- JT Kitna completed his first pass a Lumberjack in the win
- Ten 'Jacks caught a pass in the win with Harris leading with three grabs at 13.3 yards per catch
- Reese led with 76 receiving yards and was one of three SFA backs to churn out 60+ yards as Braden Lewis carried nine times for 76 yards at 8.4 yards a pop
- Wimbley scored twice on seven carries for 34 yards
The home stretch continues for the 'Jacks next Saturday as FCS action resumes. SFA meets Cal Poly for the first time in program history. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live coverage links will be made available at www.SFAjacks.com.
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.
Team Stats
SRS
SFA
Total Yards
-36
534
Pass Yards
-3
287
Rushing Yards
-33
247
Penalty Yards
17
72
1st Downs
7
24
3rd Downs
1
7
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
30:22
29:38
1st Quarter
SRS 0, SFA 7
SFA - Wimbley,Jerrell 1 yd run (Alvarado,Carlos kick), 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 01:51
SRS 0, SFA 14
SFA - Reese,Richard 64 yd pass from Vidlak,Sam (Alvarado,Carlos kick) 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 01:20
SRS 0, SFA 21
SFA - Harris,Kylon 32 yd pass from Vidlak,Sam (Alvarado,Carlos kick) 1 plays, 32 yards, TOP 00:06
2nd Quarter
SRS 0, SFA 28
SFA - Wimbley,Jerrell 12 yd run (Alvarado,Carlos kick), 3 plays, 28 yards, TOP 00:53
SRS 0, SFA 35
SFA - Reese,Richard 58 yd run (Alvarado,Carlos kick), 2 plays, 62 yards, TOP 00:35
SRS 0, SFA 42
SFA - Alofipo,Saco 0 yd fumble recovery (Alvarado,Carlos kick)
SRS 0, SFA 49
SFA - Woods,Michael 9 yd fumble recovery (Alvarado,Carlos kick)
SRS 0, SFA 56
SFA - Davis,Isaiah 30 yd pass from Rutherford,Gavin (Alvarado,Carlos kick) 4 plays, 67 yards, TOP 01:23
3rd Quarter
SRS 0, SFA 63
SFA - Williams,Anthony 1 yd run (Alvarado,Carlos kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:15
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
Players Mentioned
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