WEEK 1: (RV) MCNEESE STATE

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10:53a, 8/20/26

#13 Stephen F. Austin State vs. (RV) McNeese State

WHEN: August 29, 2026 (Sat.) 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: Lake Chuck, Louisiana (Navarre Stadium)
TV: ESPN+
Hall of Fame Game

Welcome to the start of the 2026 season, Lumberjack Nation! As we begin our journey to defend the SLC Crown, we head on the road to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to take on the McNeese State Cowboys.

McNeese State leads the overall series 18-14-2 (including a 5-2 record in the last seven matchups) and holds an 8-9-1 all-time record at home against the Lumberjacks.

Head Coach Matt Viator is back for the second year of his second stint at McNeese State. He looks to build upon the Cowboys' 5-7 overall (4-4 SLC) record from the 2025 season.

The 2026 McNeese State roster features 22 seniors, anchoring a veteran-heavy lineup. The defense returns key impact players, including safety Javon Davis, linebacker Jermaine Hargraves, and defensive back Mason Edwards. Analysts are calling this rotation the program's deepest defensive unit in years.

On the offensive side, the Cowboys welcome back Texas Tech transfer quarterback Jake Strong. He is joined by two high-profile newcomers: senior running back Omiri Wiggins (Louisiana Tech) and sophomore Hutch Swilley (University of Louisiana), alongside a healthy offensive line that returns two starters.

Last season, Strong completed 164 passes (59%) for 2,008 yards and 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He was also a dual-threat weapon, finishing third on the team in rushing with 469 yards and 7 scores.

Transfer running back Omiri Wiggins (5'10", 210 lbs) is a former 3-star recruit who was ranked the #5 JUCO running back in 2024 out of Coffeyville CC. A former preseason All-CUSA selection, he appeared in 13 games for the Bulldogs and made 9 starts. He finished his time there with 527 yards and 4 touchdowns (averaging 5.0 yards per carry), while adding 20 receptions for 126 yards and 2 additional scores.

The Lumberjacks have not won in The Hole since a 31-28 victory in 2016. SFA looks to break that streak and avoid the Louisiana voodoo they experienced back in 2024.

Axe'Em!
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SFAXE93
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11:11a, 8/20/26
The forecast for Lake Charles on August 29, 2026, calls for scattered thunderstorms during the day with a high near 95F and a low around 73F. There is a 40% chance of precipitation, accompanied by northeast winds at around 6 mph.

Weather Details
  • Day Condition: Scattered thunderstorms
  • High Temperature: 95F
  • Night Condition: Chance of showers
  • Low Temperature: 73F
  • Rain Chance: 40%
  • Wind: Northeast at 6 mph
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SFA Jack Fanatic
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In reply to SFAXE93 • 3:51p, 8/20/26
SFAXE93 said:

#13 Stephen F. Austin State vs. (RV) McNeese State

WHEN: August 29, 2026 (Sat.) 6:00 P.M.
WHERE: Lake Chuck, Louisiana (Navarre Stadium)
TV: ESPN+
Hall of Fame Game

Welcome to the start of the 2026 season, Lumberjack Nation! As we begin our journey to defend the SLC Crown, we head on the road to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to take on the McNeese State Cowboys.

McNeese State leads the overall series 18-14-2 (including a 5-2 record in the last seven matchups) and holds an 8-9-1 all-time record at home against the Lumberjacks.

Head Coach Matt Viator is back for the second year of his second stint at McNeese State. He looks to build upon the Cowboys' 5-7 overall (4-4 SLC) record from the 2025 season.

The 2026 McNeese State roster features 22 seniors, anchoring a veteran-heavy lineup. The defense returns key impact players, including safety Javon Davis, linebacker Jermaine Hargraves, and defensive back Mason Edwards. Analysts are calling this rotation the program's deepest defensive unit in years.

On the offensive side, the Cowboys welcome back Texas Tech transfer quarterback Jake Strong. He is joined by two high-profile newcomers: senior running back Omiri Wiggins (Louisiana Tech) and sophomore Hutch Swilley (University of Louisiana), alongside a healthy offensive line that returns two starters.

Last season, Strong completed 164 passes (59%) for 2,008 yards and 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions. He was also a dual-threat weapon, finishing third on the team in rushing with 469 yards and 7 scores.

Transfer running back Omiri Wiggins (5'10", 210 lbs) is a former 3-star recruit who was ranked the #5 JUCO running back in 2024 out of Coffeyville CC. A former preseason All-CUSA selection, he appeared in 13 games for the Bulldogs and made 9 starts. He finished his time there with 527 yards and 4 touchdowns (averaging 5.0 yards per carry), while adding 20 receptions for 126 yards and 2 additional scores.

The Lumberjacks have not won in The Hole since a 31-28 victory in 2016. SFA looks to break that streak and avoid the Louisiana voodoo they experienced back in 2024.

Axe'Em!


I still pop Rolaids when I think back on that 2024 game. A far superior SFA team lost to a very poor McNeese squad. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Don't let it happen again.

And how the heck is McNeese receiving votes???
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SFAXE93
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4:11p, 8/20/26
It's just 1 single lonely vote, but never the less, a vote is a vote.
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SFAXE93
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7:57a, 8/23/26
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BigJack85
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In reply to SFAXE93 • 9:00a, 8/23/26
SFAXE93 said:


Lake Charles ain't going to be easy. Like fanatic I was at the tragedy of 2024. Ugh.
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
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12:10p, 8/25/26
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SFASawmillGuy
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2:09p, 8/25/26
Gonna be interesting to see the wrinkles in the offense Gavin Rutherford will provide. I definitely expect to see a QB running game and lots of RPO's early.
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SCH890
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In reply to SFASawmillGuy • 2:21p, 8/25/26
SFASawmillGuy said:
Gonna be interesting to see the wrinkles in the offense Gavin Rutherford will provide. I definitely expect to see a QB running game and lots of RPO's early.

That's going to be my guess. Establish a strong run game and then let the passing lanes open up.
"To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life."
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Jacks6
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In reply to SFAXE93 • 4:41p, 8/25/26
SFAXE93 said:

I'm cracking up that HCU is projected to score 5 points
"I'm jacked up...literally." Colby Carthel
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BigJack85
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In reply to Jacks6 • 6:11p, 8/25/26
Jacks6 said:
SFAXE93 said:

I'm cracking up that HCU is projected to score 5 points


I hope HCU gets better, the sake of the SLC conference. The conference takes hits in conference rankings/algorithms because of HCU's weakness across numerous sports.

Everyone knows they belong in the LSC
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
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BigJack85
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8:51p, 8/25/26
Watched the Malachi Williams presser. He's (Williams) a guy you can root for
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
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Thelumberyardsfa
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In reply to BigJack85 • 9:08a
BigJack85 said:
Watched the Malachi Williams presser. He's (Williams) a guy you can root for

yes. He seems very humble and a nice kid
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SFAXE93
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10:21a
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