#20 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (8-3) VS. #13 UIW (9-2)
WHEN: NOV. 27 (SAT.) 2:00 P.M.
WHERE: GAYLE & TOM BENSION STADIUM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: Q107.7
The Lumberjacks of SFA are making an appearance in the NCAA Division I (FCS) Playoffs for the first time since 2014, to face the 2021 SLC Champions, Cardinals of UIW.
This makes for a unique match-up between two former conference foes, that will soon be conference foes once again, but in a difference conference.
The high flying Cards average almost 40 points a game, 133 yards rushing, and 352 passing a game, while the defense gives up just shy of 25 points a game, 166 yards rushing and 254 passing a game.
2021 Jerry Rice Award Winner, Walter Payton Award Finalist and All-Conference player, (SO.) QB:#7 CAMERON WARD 6-3; 220 is special, nearly passing for 4,000 yards this season on 306 completions with 38 TDs, averaging 349 yards a game.
On the receiving end are (JR.) WR:#16 TAYLOR GRIMES 5-11; 190 with 68 catches for 923 yards and 11 TDs (SR.) WR:#12 ROBERT FERREL 5-9; 170 with 56 catches and 660 yards and 7 TDs and (SR.) WR:#0 DARION CHAFIN 6-2; 195 totaling 567 yards on 44 catches for 9 TDS.
Leading rushers are All-American (GS.) RB:#4 KEVIN BROWN 5-9; 205 averaging 6.6 yards per carry on 128 carries for 848 yards and 12 TDs, along with (GS.) RB:#5 MARCUS COOPER 5-8; 185 with his 505 yards on 90 carries, that's 5.6 yards per carry with 7 scores.
The defense is all about Buck Buchanan Award Finalist (SR.) LB:#8 KELECHI ANYALEBECHI 6-0; 240 who leads the team in tackles (112), TFL (8.5), sacks (4.0), QBH (11) and FF (4)
The winner gets the prize, the defending National Champions and #1 team in the country Sam Houston State.
Lumberjack Nation has been waiting for some time for a winning program to cheer on into the playoffs, and this team is hitting on all pistons, as they ride their 5-game win streak into San Antonio to make some noise and to show the country that they belong and that they are in fact one of the best teams in the nation.
Axe'Em