STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (1-2; 0-1) VS. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO (0-3)
WHEN: Sept. 21 (SAT.) 7:00 P.M.
WHERE: Homer Bryce Stadium (Nacogdoches, Texas)
TV: ESPN+
SERIES HISTORY (First Meeting)
Next up for the Lumberjacks are the Bears of Northern Colorado out of the Big Sky Conference.
UNC has not had winning season since 2016 and they are currently riding a 15-game losing streak, having not won a game since Nov. 12, 2022. The last time the Bears won a game on the road was also back in 2022 at Lamar winning by a score of 21-14.
On Saturday at home UNC took on Abilene Christian where they surprised ACU with an effective ball control and strong showing on defense, going into the half 10-7. In the second half ACU looked to take control going up 21-10 with 8:42 left in the game, but UNC would not go away, scoring two late rushing TD's to retake the lead 22-21. It took the last play of the game and a 54-yard field goal by the Wildcats to win it 24-22.
Northern Colorado's starting QB #8 Peter Costelli 6-3; 220 went down last week against Colorado State with an injury in the second game of the season. Taking his place was 5th year senior QB #6 Jonah Chong 6-0; 190 out of Hawaii who this season has seen action in 3 games completing 5 passes for 18 yards and QB #18 Hank Gibbs a 6-6; 240 junior transfer from Univ. of Wyoming who completed 2 passes for 11 yards and a pick against ACU.
In Saturday's game UNC focused mainly on ball control with a run heavy time consuming offense that greatly shorten the game, rushing for 241 yards in total while scoring 3 TD's.
Junior RB #0 Darius Stewart 5-9; 190 lead the team with 132 rushing yards (avg 6.3)
Also, as a side note on offense for UNC, it will be a homecoming of sorts for OL #76 Jack Bacon 6-6; 305 who saw action as Lumberjack last season on the offensive line.
The defense is lead by sophomore DL #17 Marcus Howard 6-4; 262 who lead the team with 6 tackles, 2 for a loss, a QBH and a pass breakup against ACU.
As a team Northern Colorado averages 15-points a game while giving up 30, averaging 187 yards on the ground and 120 through the air. On the other side of the ball the defense gives up 186 yards per game rushing and 205 passing.
The Lumberjacks are hurting for a quailty and complete win, a finish they can be proud of, unfortunately it seems that the 2023 season has followed SFA into 2024, because when SFA takes the field to play, they are going up against not one, but two teams, their opponent, and themselves, and as of late themselves are getting the better of them.
Axe'Em
