(TBD) STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE (9-2; 7-0) VS. NORTHWESTERN STATE (1-10; 0-7)

WHEN: NOV. 20 (THURS.) 6:30 P.M.
WHERE: NATCHITOCHES, TEXAS (TURPIN STADIUM)
MEDIA: ESPN+/JACKS RADIO NETWORK/Radio: KZBL 100.7 FM
"Battle for Chief Caddo" or the "Wooden Log"

SERIES

Stephen F. Austin Football History vs Northwestern State from Nov 7, 1924 - Oct 5, 2024

The Demons lead the overall series 46-29-3, but have lost the last 3 meetings, and the last two in Natchitoches.
Northwestern State win-loss 1-10; 0-7; Home: 1-3; Away: 0-7; Streak: Lost 10

W Alcorn State 20-10
L @Minnesota 0-66
L @Cincinnati 0-70
L @Prairie View A&M 24-27
L East Texas A&M 10-49
L @HCU 17-20
L @#22 Southeastern Louisiana 0-49
L #15 Lamar 14-41
L @McNeese State 3-50
L UIW 3-38
L @Nicholls 21-26

Overall NSU averages 213 yards a game (99 rushing, 114 passing) while scoring 10 points. The defense gives up 445 yards a game (207 passing, 238 rushing) and 40 points a game.

The offense is lead by red-shirt freshman QB #10 Abram Johnson 6-1; 195 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Johnson has completed 114 passes (55%) for 1,117 yards, 7 TD's, 9 INT's, while also being the team's 2nd leading rusher, with 297 yards and 4 other scores.

On defense grad student and Coastal Carolina transfer, DE #13 Clinton Anokwuru 6-3; 253 out of Houston, Texas leads the team with 9.0 TFL, and 4 sacks

It is the last regular season game of 2025, and Head Coach Blaine McCorkle is still continuing the rebuild of a once great program and looking for that spark, and what better way to get things going into the off season, than a major upset in a rivalry game, called the ""Battle for Chief Caddo" or the "Wooden Log".

It a short week to prepare, and SFA needs to come into town with a focus and swagger on that next win, (an outright SLC Championship and a possible home first round FCS playoff game) still on the line against a 1-10 team that has nothing left to lose and a plan to pull out all the stops, to leave it all out on the field.

Axe'Em

Power Rankings after week 12.

1. SFA- The Jacks took any question out of their spot at the top this week with a massive win over Lamar, in which SFA controlled the game the entire time. The past 2 weeks SFA has shown that it has something SFA hasn't had in recent memory, and that's depth, something that can carry the Jacks far in the postseason. One more win, and SFA is the outright SLC champs.

2. SLU- The Lions and Cards(Lamar) are so close they could tie for 2. The Lions struggled heavily against UIW, and need a win this week to keep their very slim playoff hopes alive. A win against Nicholls is needed to give the SLC a chance at being a 3 bid league, though their very weak resume may hold them out regardless.

3. Lamar- The only thing keeping Lamar behind SLU in my rankings after this past weekend is their offense. Lamar has a good defense, but outside of a single big run against SFA, the Cardinals have struggled to get offense going. 2 ranked wins make their playoff hopes more likely than SLU assuming they finish the season with a win. Very likely to get an at large bid.

4. UIW- The Word locked down SLU for most of the game and had a chance to force overtime late. The talent of their roster is shining late in the season. If they played like this earlier they probably would still be a couple wins shy of the playoffs, but wouldn't have as heartbreaking of a season as they've had.

5. UTRGV- The Vaqueros got their first ever road conference win, and they did it in a tough way. McNeese is not a good team, but they gave the Vaqueros a fight, and UTRGV responded with their own haymakers. A win against ETAMU this week would be the cherry on top of a magical season for them.

6. ETAMU- Their offense surged against HCU, showing the tenacity this team has, and showing this team hasn't completely run out of gas. Still a ways away from where they want to be, but they took care of business.

7. Nicholls- They almost let NWST beat them, and I can't let that slide. Still they found a way to win. Now they have a chance to cap off their depressing season and keep their rival SLU at home for the playoffs if they can pull off the miracle.

8. McNeese- They gave UTRGV a fight, but still let the newcomer get the better of them. I told The Rev on Saturday they're better than a year ago, even if it's just baby steps. They're still a long way from where they want to be. Maybe next year will be better Cowboy fans.

9. NWST- I'll give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, they gave Nicholls their best effort. Definitely their best game of the year, coming very close to not being winless in SLC play. Thursday against the Jacks will likely not be so hopeful. Still, I sincerely hope the Demons give McCorkel a little more time to get things right.

10. HCU- The Huskies look broken. I feel like no one can complain about their school not doing enough for their program with what they have to work with.

The Battle for The Wooden Log. If that doesn't lite your fire, nothing will. (Pun intended)

Officially there is no name for the rivalry anymore.

Little reason to have a name for rivalry now that they are just playing for a big stick.

Important thing here is to hopefully jump ahead early and get starters out and healthy for round 1 of FCS.

The hope is we win big and stay healthy.

Then Saturday we can sit and watch the projected top 8 seeds and hope at least some chaos happens. We're hosting round 1 if we win Thursday, but the higher seed we can get, the more favorable spot on the bracket we get.

Regular season momentum is one thing. If we can get one or two playoff victories, all bets are off.

But before I go on this rant let's axe some demons.