Strong Third Quarter Pushes ‘Jacks Past Cal Poly

Saturday, September 20

Nacogdoches, TX

7:00 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin

2-2 , 0-0

Cal Poly

2-2 , 0-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Cal Poly

Stephen F. Austin

Strong Third Quarter Pushes ‘Jacks Past Cal Poly

9/20/2025 11:30:00 PM | Football

Box Score

SFA wins for 21st time inside Homer Bryce since start of ’20 campaign

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A 21-point third quarter jump-started by a 28-yard interception return touchdown by junior linebacker Malachi Williams within the first minute following the intermission sent Stephen F. Austin on its way to a 35-17 win over its Big Sky Conference opposition Cal Poly on Saturday night at Jimmy W. Murphy Field inside Homer Bryce Stadium. All three phases hit paydirt in the win as the 'Jacks moved to .500 on the season to conclude the non-conference portion of the '25 slate.

Less than 45 seconds after the halftime break concluded, Williams jumped a pass and went untouched to the house for the 'Jacks' second non-offensive score of the night and the third defensive touchdown in the past two weeks. Williams' six pushed SFA up 21-10. The first non-offensive score of the night was a 65-yard punt return touchdown, the second by the 'Jacks this season, by Kylon Harris who reversed field with under six minutes to play in the first half to give SFA a lead that they would not relinquish.

CP opened scoring as the 'Jacks defense held firm and forced a non-touchdown scoring drive as the Mustangs' Noah Serna connected from 44 yards out to cap an 11-play drive that took nearly 5:30 of clock and covered 73 yards.

The 'Jacks found the endzone first as Sam Vidlak found Clayton Wayland from 13 yards out to put a bow on a quick 26-second drive that covered as many yards. The Mustangs took the lead on a 64-yard catch and run that put CP in front for the final time at the 13:02 mark of the second quarter.

Following Harris' return and Williams' rumble, Richard Reese put the finishing touches on a 57-yard drive with a one-yard rush for six that was set up by another Vidlak-to-Wayland strike, this time for 44 yards and a goal-to-go situation. Vidlak's final of a two-touchdown pass night went to Derrick Bohler from 28 yards away as the 'Jacks needed just four plays to cover 82 yards. That drive came courtesy of an interception by SFA's Jaydon Southard at the 'Jacks' one-yard-line to thwart a potential Mustangs scoring opportunity.

SCORING DRIVES
1Q (2:31) | 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:22 | Noah Serna 44-yard FG good

2Q (14:55) | 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:26 | Clayton Wayland 13-yard TD catch from Sam Vidlak, Alvarado kick good
2Q (13:02) | 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:53 | Michael Briscoe 64-yard TD catch from Jackson Akins, Dimauro kick good
2Q (5:36) | Kylon Harris 65-yard PR TD, Alvarado kick good

3Q (14:16) | Malachi Williams 28-yard INT TD, Alvarado kick good
3Q (7:31) | 5 plays, 57 yards, 1:34 | Richard Reese 1-yard TD run, Alvarado kick good
3Q (1:23) | 4 plays, 82 yards, 1:31 | Derrick Bohler 28-yard TD catch from Sam Vidlak, Alvarado kick good

4Q (2:59) | 3 plays, 52 yards, 1:19 | Kian Salehi 41-yard TD catch from Bo Kelly, Alvarado kick good

POSTGAME NOTES

Saturday night's victory is the 21^st home win for SFA since the start of the 2020 campaign
SFA moves to 5-0 mark against teams from California and is 4-0 inside HBS since 2000
The 'Jacks conclude non-conference action at .500
Cal Poly and Stephen F. Austin are set for three more matchups over the next four seasons
Southard recorded eight tackles to lead the defensive attack and added the interception and a tackle for loss
Williams followed with six stops, one tackle for loss, the pick six and added two breakups and a quarterback hurry
Nine other 'Jacks registered three or more stops in the win
Jerrell Wimbley enjoyed a big night on the ground turning ten attempts into 130 yards on the ground highlighted by a 46-yard dash up the gut
Vidlak completed 16-of-23 passing for 178 and the two scores
A dozen 'Jacks hauled in a pass on Saturday night
Wayland led with three grabs for 57 yards and the score

UP NEXT
The third of three-straight home games is set for next Saturday as the 'Jacks open Southland Conference play against McNeese State. SFA welcomes in the Cowboys for the 41^st meeting all-time in a series that was first contested in 1951. The 'Jacks have dropped four consecutive matchups against McNeese and have lost four-straight at home with the last victory inside Homer Bryce Stadium coming in 2011. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Live coverage links will be made available at www.SFAjacks.com.

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