#18/#12 SFA (1-1; 0-0) VS. LOUISIANA TECH (0-1; 0-0)
WHEN: SEPT. 10, 2022 (SAT.) 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: RUSTON, LOUISIANA (JOE AILLET STADIUM)
TV: ESPN3
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
Are the bugs getting worked out for the Lumberjacks, as they make their way to Ruston, Louisiana, to conclude their 3-game road trip to start the 2022 season with the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech.
One thing is for certain, the SFA defense is about to meet their maker, literally, in former SFA DC Scott Powers, now at Louisiana Tech.
This really sets up for an interesting situation in respect to scouting reports, inside information on your opponent, and knowing your play-book, with Louisiana Tech having not one, but five former position coaches from SFA in Jake Brown (under Conque), Scott Powers (DC), Marcus Walker (DBs), Nathan Young (OL), and Myles Carelock (Defensive Analyst).
These are the coaches that recruited, planned, and coached a majority of the current players on the SFA roster, and they know these players, their skill sets, and their habits.
Now there is a flip-side to that coin, in that SFA head Coach Colby Carthel knows these coaches, how they coach, their habits, and their tendencies.
Lumberjack QB Trae Self will know the starting DB's for the Bulldogs, in former Lumberjacks Myles Brooks and Willie Roberts, and vice versa, again a very interesting match-up.
For certain, Louisiana Tech Head Coach Sonny Cumbie was impressed enough with the 2021 SFA defense, and the hopes to replicate that aggressive nature for his team. (something the 2022 SFA defense needs to get back.)
The Bulldogs are rebuilding their program, not having much success since their 2019 season where they went 10-3, including a 14-0 victory over Miami (FL.) in the Independence Bowl.
The Cumbie Era began last Thursday with a 24-52 loss at SEC opponent Missouri.
The defense gave up a total of 558 yards (328 yards rushing (6.4 yards per carry) 6 rushing TDs) and 230 passing yards.
QB's Matthew Downing and Parker McNeil combined for 336 yards and 3 TDs and 3 INTs.
On the ground, the Bulldogs couldn't get anything going, only amassing 8 total yards on 22 attempts for the game.
At receiver, true freshman Cyrus Allen 5-11; 177 caught a game high 5 passes for 121 yards and 2 TDs. Senior TE Griffin Hebert 6-3; 225 caught 3 passes for 93 yards and a score.
On defense Junior DB Beejay Williamson 6-1; 193 recorded 11 tackles, 1 for a loss, and had a FF.
Also, look for empact players Junior Hugh Davis 6-0; 225 at Linebacker and junior defensive lineman Deshon Hall Jr. 6-5; 250
Expect a good size crowd at Joe Aillet Stadium with well over 15,000 fans in attendance as well as some good football weather, with an expected high of 83 degrees. (Yes, rain is also expected at 60%)
What is evident, is that this is not the Lumberjack defense of 2021 and SFA is on the learning curve of a new DC that comes with new ways of doing things, different philosophies, and different personnel.
Also, with the loss of three starting DT's, one to the NFL, and two to the FBS during the off season, SFA has to be patient as it re-tools the enterior of its defensive line with red-shirt freshmen, in a defense that is giving up 287.5 yards a game (after two games) on the ground.
And with all of that comes patience, as many expected the 2022 team to take off from where the 2021 landed, but for reasons previous mentioned, chemistry was disrupted and it needs to be restored.
What we have learned from the Alcorn State game, is that a new chemistry is taking form, with a team taking a bad situation and quickly turning it around, showing life, in a glowing new found resilience emerging.
Axe'Em
So About Last Night ๐
— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) September 4, 2022
Presented By @optimum#AxeEm x #RaiseTheAxe pic.twitter.com/U4aSyPnURO
Next On Deck
— Lumberjack Football (@SFA_Football) September 6, 2022
๐ : Joe Aillet Stadium
๐ฅ : ESPN3
๐ป : https://t.co/3V8nT9gnLd
๐ : 9.10.22
โฐ : 6:00 PM
๐ : https://t.co/7nqP0yC4Wm#AxeEm x #RaiseTheAxe pic.twitter.com/X2E69EF9tT
