#23 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (3-2; 0-1) VS. #24 JACKSONVILLE STATE (2-3; 0-1)
WHEN: OCT. 9 (SAT.) 3:00 P.M.
WHERE: JACKSONVILLE, ALABAMA (JSU STADIUM)
TV: ESPN+
RADIO: Q107.7
In an ideal world, this would be a perfect time for a bye week, you know to process things, regroup, and to recharge the batteries. But this is far from a perfect world, and as they say there is no rest for the weary.
After a hard fought, emotional game in the BOTPW, the Lumberjacks of SFA must now jump on the bus and head on out to the great state of Alabama, to be the homecoming guest of the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State at JSU Stadium, where the JSU have been 21-6 since 2017.
The Gamecocks have been a bit of an enigma through 5 games into this young season.
In the beginning things kicked off with a not so stellar performance at FBS foe UAB (losing 0-31), where the Gamecocks seemed to be left for dead in the water and a lost cause only to bounced the following week by marching right into Tallahassee and shocking the Semonoles of Florida State (along with the nation) 20-17. (although not the Semonoles of old) That was then followed up by taking care of business at home against North Alabama 27-24 where all seemed to be back on track.
But since then the Gamecocks find themselves in a 2-game skid after losses to UT-Martin at home 31-34 and on the road at #20 Kennesaw State 6-31 and are now desperate looking for a win.
The JSU defense returns a majority of their players, that as a team totaled 28 sacks and 86 TFL in 2020. This season the defense is giving up a pretty nice balance of 200 yards on the ground and 224 through the air for 424 total yards a game, while allowing their opponents to score 27 points a game.
JSU's offense is lead by higly touted preseason all conference player and Walter Payton watch list senior QB #6 ZERRICK COOPER 6-3; 220, the 4-star recruit, and Clemson tranfer with Madden like numbers of 643 CMP; 8,349 passing yards and 66 TDs along with 861 rushing yards and 18 scores.
The ground game is mainly Junior #5 RB JOSH SAMUEL 5-11; 215 who leads the team in rushing this season with 239 yards, 5.2 yards per carry and a score. Samuels had a big game last season totaling 201 yards of offense and a TD to earn FCS Player of the Week against FBS opponent FIU.
Redshirt freshman #13 WR P.J. WELLS 6-3; 190 leads the team in receiving with 223 yards and 2 TDs on an offense that is averaging 302 yards of total offense and 17 points a game.
We already know what this SFA team is made of and what they are capable of doing, as they made a believer out of a few yesterday in their heartbreaking loss to the #1 team in the nation. Some much due respect was earned in that loss, and the Lumberjacks continue to get better, trying to shed the past, on their journey from good to great.
Axe'Em
