STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (3-4; 0-2) VS. ABILENE CHRISTIAN (3-3; 1-1)

WHEN: Oct. 21, 2023 (Sat.) 4:00 P.M.
WHERE: Nacogdoches, Texas (Homer Bryce Stadium)
TV: ESPN+
Homecoming Weekend (Wear Purple)

SERIES (SFA leads the series 13-10-0 winning the last 4 meetings, including 7 of the last 8)

2022: W 24-21 (Away) +3
2022: W 41-38 (Home) +3
2021: W 41-27 (Home) +14
2020: W 35-32 (Neutral) +3
2019: L 24-31 (2OT) -7
2018: W 24-21 (Home) +3
2017: W 20-10 (Away) +10
2016: W 41-30 (Home) +11
2015: L 32-35 (Away) -3

The Lumberjacks of SFA return home for Homecoming Weekend, ready to host the Wildcats of Abilene Christian.

Even though ACU was out gained in passing, rushing, TOP, and 1st downs, the Wildcats still managed to fight to a 30-13 victory over North Alabama Saturday in Abilene.

In that game on offense Junior QB #1 Maverick McIvor 6-2; 210 completed 12 passes for 206 yards and 2 TD's.
The rushing attack got 127 on the ground behind sophomore RB #3 Rovaughn Banks Jr. 5-10; 200 and RB #26 Jordon Vaughn 6-3; 240 carrying a majority of the load. The offense doesn't make many mistakes, as ACU leads the conference with the least number of turnovers committed, with only 3 INT's.

The Lumberjacks and Wildcats are tied for 2nd in the UAC for sacks allowed at 7, as both teams sport huge offensive lines, that's paying off dividends in QB protection.

On defense the Wildcat's defensive front (last in sacks committed in the UAC) still continues to struggle to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, not registering a single sack against the Lions in Saturday's game.

As a whole the ACU defense ranks near the bottom of the conference in rushing yards allowed at 218 a game (5.3 per carry) gives up 246 yards passing a game as well.

"Oh what could have been!" has quickly become the theme of the 2023 season, and I guess amazingly as it is, in all this frustration, the Lumberjacks still at least mathematically still have what they want to accomplish in front of them.

Got to go 4-straight, and can a 7-4 season get it done?

Axe'Em

Ljacks&Longnecks said:

---

So, any word on Maurer's injury?

---

Carthel said today they're still evaluating and it's day to day. He mentioned MRIs, which isn't promising. Hopefully it was just a stinger or a pinched nerve, which how his arm went limp, I kind of think it is.

I know Sam Houston fans would try and talk smack saying ACU was SFA's new rival, but I actually do see this series becoming a rivalry. The average victory margin since their transition is 6 points, with multiple 3 point games. With the quality of these matchups, an East Texas vs West Texas rivalry seems like it might build steam to becoming a full fledged official rivalry.

Not to mention our Basketball matchups with the Wildcats have also consistently been must watch basketball.

I can tell that ACU has had this game circled on their calendar since the final game last year. SFA has proven to be a GREAT rival to ACU in multiple sports and the East Texas vs West Texas match-up only makes it better. Losing to you guys by only 3 points TWICE last year was an extremely bitter pill to swallow. To do it in such "end of the game" fashion as we did, only makes it worse. ACU football has kind of been a disappointment this year and hard to pin down. We showed up and played really well against both UNC and PVAM. Yes, both teams are lower ranked but they also both had a lot of skilled players and they were early in the season games. We came in strong. Then, we lose 3 in a row, again yes to 2 highly ranked FCS teams and one FBS team. Still, it was hard. We played UIW well, but couldn't finish. We didn't even show up for UCA, bombed that one... Then, we come back and actually play UNT pretty decently except for the back 3/4 of the 1st quarter and first of the 2nd quarter. We actually had a really good 2nd half against UNT. I was disappointed in our DL play, even some of our OL play, against UNA. Our play calling was also severely subpar most of the game. We simply couldn't get any kind of rhythm going offensively. Defensively, we gave up way too much yardage on the ground, but we did well with take aways and capitalizing off of them. We also protected the ball. Simply put, we did what we needed to and walked away with the win, even though UNA outgained us and had better TOP. The question is can we do better in the trench and get our offense going again, while continuing to protect the ball and slow you guys down, as well as get a couple of take aways? Interesting thing is, this will also be a game of the two top kickers in the league. Honestly, I told Dustin last night that I couldn't pick at this point. I know it's a must win situation for SFA. Last week was our must win, but really we have to win out the rest of the season just like you guys do. So, this is going to be epic...

Welcome Outsider. Nice post detailing the ACU season. Yes I see ACU and SFA having a good rivalry for a long while, as long as we stay in same conference.

Jacks4460 said:

---

SFASawmillGuy said:

---

Ljacks&Longnecks said:

---

So, any word on Maurer's injury?

---

Carthel said today they're still evaluating and it's day to day. He mentioned MRIs, which isn't promising. Hopefully it was just a stinger or a pinched nerve, which how his arm went limp, I kind of think it is.

---

Mauer is a friggin Dawg.. he won't stay down...

---

True. It's possible that Maurer will try to come back before he should. Carthel won't risk a players health.

SFASawmillGuy said:

---

I know Sam Houston fans would try and talk smack saying ACU was SFA's new rival, but I actually do see this series becoming a rivalry. The average victory margin since their transition is 6 points, with multiple 3 point games. With the quality of these matchups, an East Texas vs West Texas rivalry seems like it might build steam to becoming a full fledged official rivalry.

Not to mention our Basketball matchups with the Wildcats have also consistently been must watch basketball.

---

Spot on. There has been some conversation between the two schools about how to grow the rivalry.

SFAJack_76 said:

---

SFASawmillGuy said:

---

I know Sam Houston fans would try and talk smack saying ACU was SFA's new rival, but I actually do see this series becoming a rivalry. The average victory margin since their transition is 6 points, with multiple 3 point games. With the quality of these matchups, an East Texas vs West Texas rivalry seems like it might build steam to becoming a full fledged official rivalry.

Not to mention our Basketball matchups with the Wildcats have also consistently been must watch basketball.

---

Spot on. There has been some conversation between the two schools about how to grow the rivalry.

---

This is definitely developing into a rivalry. First and foremost from a basketball perspective. The contests have been intense.

Our futures are intertwined or could be. The WAC is a great conference. The travel challenges remain. If Seattle and CBU left the WAC, I'd feel better about the travel Need to have GCU because of the basketball strength.

If all that (WAC) fell apart I would expect ACU and SFA to consider a fit with the ASUN. Not as good as the WAC, but miles better than the SLC. Having a close travel partner helps.

He is good to go! Dislocated shoulder His family is coming from Florida so hopefully we get that DAWG tomorrow.