NACOGDOCHES – The final 37 points of Saturday night's game at Homer Bryce Stadium were scored by the No. 11/13 ranked Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, who collected a 44-7 win over the East Texas A&M University football team.
The Lions fall to 0-2 on the season and Saturday was their Southland Conference opener. The Lumberjacks, who won the conference a year ago and advanced to the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals, are 2-0 on the season as well as 2-0 against SLC opponents, while being 3-1 against East Texas A&M over the last four seasons.
SFA was ranked no. 11 in the AFCA FCS Rankings and no. 13 in the Stats Perform FCS poll this week. East Texas A&M still holds a 44-16-1 all-time advantage in the series.
To start off the game, JT Kitna scored a 1-yard touchdown for the Lumberjacks, but the Lions answered right away as
Eric Rodriguez (Lake Travis) found a wide-open
Andrez Lewis (Omaha, Neb.) for a 21-yard touchdown to tie the game in the first quarter.
The Lumberjacks added 17 points in the second quarter to lead 24-7 at the break. Quarterback Gavin Rutherford ran in two touchdowns, while Carlos Jenkins hit a 23-yard field goal as the clock expired.
In the second half, touchdowns were scored by Jaylen Jenkins and Cannon Lemberg, as well as Alvarado drilling two field goals.
The Lions committed four turnovers in the game, while also causing their first takeaway of the season at the end of the first half on a fumble recovered by
Dylan Scott (Aubrey – Braswell). East Texas A&M has now committed seven turnovers through two game this season.
Rodriguez started the game at quarterback, going 9 for 16 with 110 yards and two interceptions, while
Jack Jacobs (Santa Clarita, Calif.) came in late in the fourth quarter and threw 21 yards and one interception on 4 for 8 passing.
SFA ran 77 plays in the game, having gained 434 yards in the game with 39:28 to 20:32 advantage in time-of-possession. The Lions gained 187 yards on 46 yards.
Wesley York, Jr. (Austin – Bowie) was the leading tackler for the Lions with 12 tackles, while
Tramar Gilbert (Peaster) had seven.
POST GAME INTERVIEW
UP NEXT
After having played first two games of the season on the road against ranked opponents, the Lions play their first home game of the season next Saturday at Memorial Stadium against Northwestern State at 6 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased now at
LionAthletics.com/tickets.
-ETAMU-
