Lumberjacks, Cowboys Open Division I Playoffs at Home
FRISCO, Texas - Both Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State will be in the NCAA Division I Playoffs giving the Southland Conference two teams in the 16-team field for the first time since the 2005 season.
The Lumberjacks and Cowboys split the 2009 conference championship with identical 6-1 league records, but SFA was the conference's automatic qualifier by virtue of its 16-13 victory Oct. 10 in Nacogdoches. Both teams are 9-2 overall.
With a three-game win streak after Saturday's 19-10 victory at Northwestern State, Stephen F. Austin will play host to Eastern Washington Saturday at 2 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, Texas. Eastern Washington (8-3) is one of two at-large teams from the Big Sky Conference that advanced to the playoffs. After losing consecutive games to playoff participants Weber State and Montana midway through the season, the Eagles rattled off four consecutive wins to close out the season to earn a spot in the field of 16.
McNeese State will play host to New Hampshire Saturday at 2 p.m. at Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, La. With a 21-17 victory over Central Arkansas Saturday, the Cowboys have won all six games since the loss at SFA the opening week of conference play. New Hampshire also finished 9-2 and is making its sixth consecutive appearance in the FCS playoffs.
The winner of the Eastern Washington vs. Stephen F. Austin game will face the winner of the Montana vs. South Dakota first-round game. The winner of the New Hampshire vs. McNeese State game will face the winner of the Holy Cross vs. Villanova opening-round game.
Southland in the Playoffs
The Southland Conference has not won a playoff game since 2005 when Texas State reached the semifinals before falling in overtime to Northern Iowa. Since 1982, the Southland has won 42 games in the FCS playoffs. The league has reached the championship game six times, including twice by McNeese State. Louisiana-Monroe won the national title as a member of the Southland Conference in 1987.
Stephen F. Austin in the Playoffs
The Lumberjacks are making their first postseason appearance since the 1995 season when SFA advanced to the NCAA semifinals, losing at Montana. This is the fifth overall playoff appearance for the 'Jacks.
McNeese State in the Playoffs
The Cowboys are making their 14th appearance in the FCS playoffs and their sixth since the 2000 season. McNeese reached the championship game in 2002, where it lost to Western Kentucky. Their last appearance was in 2007.
Southland Championships for SFA and McNeese
The Lumberjacks' Southland Conference championship was its third overall and first since 1999, when they shared the title with former conference member Troy. McNeese State has now won 13 Southland championships, including three of the last four. The Cowboys have won six conference championships since the 2001 season.
Central Arkansas also in Action
There is another Southland Conference team in action Saturday. Central Arkansas will play host to North Dakota Saturday at 1 p.m. The Bears are 5-6 overall and are trying to snap a four-game losing streak. This is the final transition season for Central Arkansas. The Fighting Sioux, which earlier this season beat Northwestern State and lost to Stephen F. Austin, is 5-5 on the year and 1-4 in road games.
Look Back at Last Week
Last Saturday, Stephen F. Austin beat Northwestern State 19-10 to reclaim the Chief Caddo trophy. McNeese State held on for a 21-17 win over Central Arkansas to win the second Red Beans and Rice Bowl. Both teams finished 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the Southland. In the conference only other game Saturday, Texas State won its rivalry game against Sam Houston State, 28-20. On Thursday, Nicholls beat Southeastern 45-30.
In the National Rankings
Three Southland teams finished the regular season ranked in the two major national polls. McNeese State is ranked eighth in the FCS Coaches and Sports Network polls while Stephen F. Austin is ranked 12th in both polls. Texas State is tied for 25th in the coaches' poll and is 25th in the Sports Network poll. Central Arkansas received votes in the coaches' poll and Southeastern Louisiana received votes in the Sports Network poll.
Fourroux, Moses Are Players of the Year
Like their respective teams, which shared the 2009 Southland Conference championship, McNeese State quarterback Derrick Fourroux and Stephen F. Austin signal caller Jeremy Moses were named the league's co-players of the year.
Fourroux, who was the first-team all-conference quarterback, became the first player in McNeese history and the third player in conference history to gain more than 10,000 career yards. The senior from Erath, La. (Erath), has 10,038 yards through four seasons as the Cowboys' starter. In addition to being the school's all-time leader in total offense, Fourroux is also the school leader in passing (8,056), passes completed (595), rushing yards (1,961) and touchdowns rushing and passing (92). This season, Fourroux has completed more than 64 percent of his passes (183-of-285) for 2,307 yards and 20 touchdowns and has a pass efficiency rating of 151.15, which ranks 13th among players in the Football Championship Subdivision. He is the sixth player of the year for McNeese since 1994.
Moses, the second-team all-conference quarterback, is also the Lumberjacks' all-time leading passer and has thrown for 8,787 yards and 83 touchdowns. The junior from Baytown, Texas (Lee) has thrown for 300 or more yards 17 times in his career, including seven times this season. Moses has completed nearly 68 percent of his passes (320-of 474) for 3,488 yards and 36 touchdowns. He is second in the nation averaging 317.1 passing yards per game and ranks fourth in total offense, averaging 322.1 yards per game. His pass efficiency rating of 148.48 ranks 16th nationally. Moses is the first player from Stephen F. Austin to be named player of the year.
George is Offensive Player of the Year
In a league that has made a name for itself with its quarterbacks, Bradley George, another field general, was named the offensive player of the year. The senior from New Braunfels, Texas, ended his career as Texas State's all-time leading passer, having completed nearly 60 percent of his passes (753-of-1,277) for 9,556 yards and 91 touchdowns. In his senior campaign, the honorable mention all-conference selection finished just seven yards shy of the school single-season record with 3,121 yards on 63 percent aim (258-of-409). He threw 23 touchdowns. George is the third Texas State player to be named the league's offensive player of the year.
Hart, Knicky Split Defensive Honors
A pair of defensive ends, Central Arkansas' Larry Hart and Stephen F. Austin's Tim Knicky, was named co-defensive players of the year.
Hart is the sixth player in conference history to repeat as the defensive player of the year and the first to do it since 1992-93. The senior from Madison, Miss., finished among the conference leaders in sacks and tackles for loss to earn first-team all-conference honors as well. Hart had 11 sacks to tie for second in the Southland and his 10 tackles for loss ranked ninth in the league. He also had one interception, one fumble recovery, four forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. The Bears led the conference in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 17.1 points per game, total defense, limiting opponents to just 301.8 yards per game, and rushing defense, stifling opponents to just 106.8 yards per contest. Hart is the only UCA player to be named the league's defensive player of the year.
Knicky shares the honor of defensive player of the year with Hart. The Lumberjacks' defensive end leads the nation in sacks, averaging 1.2 per game. In 10 games this season, the senior from Cedar Park, Texas, has 14 tackles for loss (minus-95 yards) and 13 sacks (minus-88 yards). Averaging 1.4 tackles for loss per game, Knicky is tied for 20th in the FCS. He also forced a fumble and had one fumble recovery. The Lumberjacks' defense led the conference and ranked 16th nationally in passing efficiency defense (106.63). It also led the conference in passing offense (346.1) and ranked second in scoring defense (19.4), rushing defense (107.8) and total defense (311.8). Knicky is the fourth SFA player to be named defensive player of the year.
Bronson is 11th McNeese Freshman of the Year
McNeese State defensive back Malcolm Bronson is the 11th player from McNeese State and the second in his family to be named freshman of the year since 1978, the first season of the award. The free safety from Jasper, Texas, led the Cowboys with 62 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. He added two interceptions and four pass breakups. His tackle total tied for the 21st-best total in the Southland, but was the second highest total among freshmen. His uncle, Zach Bronson, was the freshman of the year for McNeese in 1993.
SFA Has Back-to-Back Newcomers of the Year
Stephen F. Austin defensive back Andre Banks follows teammate Duane Brooks who was the newcomer of the year in 2008. Those are the only two players from SFA who have won the award, which began in 1991. Banks had 50 tackles this season after transferring from Navarro Junior College. The junior from Austin, Texas, had one tackle for loss, two interceptions and six pass breakups and one forced fumble.
SFA's Harper is Coach of the Year
J.C. Harper, who is in his third season at Stephen F. Austin, led the Lumberjacks to a share of the Southland Conference championship and was the league's automatic qualifier into the NCAA playoffs. Harper rebuilt the Lumberjacks from a winless team (0-11) in 2007 to a 4-8 team in 2008 and into a 9-2 team this season, which resulted in a share of the conference championship. This year's playoff appearance is the first for the Lumberjacks since they reached the national semifinals in 1995.
SFA has the nation's top-ranked passing and scoring offenses and the third-best total offense. Defense has also played a significant part in the Lumberjacks' success. They rank fifth in sacks 16th in passing efficiency defense, 20th in rushing defense and 27th in scoring defense. He is the second SFA skipper to earn Southland coach of the year laurels.
Southland Has Six on National Ballots
The Southland Conference has six individuals who appear on the ballot for three key awards in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses and McNeese State tailback Toddrick Pendland are on the ballot for the Walter Payton Award, which is given annually to the top offensive player in the FCS. Central Arkansas defensive end Larry Hart and Stephen F. Austin defensive end Tim Knicky are on the ballot for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the best defensive player in the FCS. The league also has a pair of coaches on the ballot for the Eddie Robinson Award, which goes to the FCS Coach of the Year. Stephen F. Austin coach J.C. Harper and McNeese State coach Matt Viator appear on that ballot.
All winners of all three awards will be recognized at the annual Sports Network Awards banquet Dec. 18 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Last year, three Southland Conference football players - Central Arkansas quarterback Nathan Brown and defensive end Larry Hart and Nicholls' defensive back Lardarius Webb - as well as Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque finished among the top 10 in balloting for the three prestigious awards.
Stephen F. Austin, McNeese Dominate All-Conference Teams
Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State combined to place 24 student-athletes on the two All-Southland Conference teams, which were announced Tuesday.
The Lumberjacks had five first-team selections and placed 14 student-athletes on the two all-conference teams, the most by a Southland program. Joining Tim Knicky on the first team are wide receiver Duane Brooks, offensive lineman Karl Glimp, linebacker Jabara Williams and defensive back Cory Barlow. Moses is joined on the second team by running back Vincent Pervis, offensive lineman Max Holmes, defensive lineman Kenneth Charles, linebacker Devin Ducote, punter Drew Nelson and Contrevious Parks, who earned second-team honors at both return specialist and fullback/halfback positions.
Ten student-athletes from McNeese State were named to the all-conference teams, including a league-best seven on offense. Joining Derrick Fourroux and Malcolm Bronson on the first team were tailback Toddrick Pendland, tight end Wes Mangan, offensive lineman Casey Richter, defensive lineman Desmund Lighten and defensive back Darrell Jenkins. The Cowboys, which tied Stephen F. Austin for their 13th Southland Conference championship, placed three on the second team, including offensive lineman Miguel Gauthreaux, linebacker Geremy Pilate and defensive back Seth Thomas.
Stephen F. Austin Leads Eight Stats
Stephen F. Austin leads the Southland in eight of the 17 team statistical categories charted by the NCAA. The Lumberjacks pace the nation in scoring offense (37.2) and passing offense, averaging 346.1 yards per game. They lead the Southland in total offense (477.6), pass efficiency (152.76), pass efficiency defense (106.63), sacks (3.45) and tackles for loss (7.64) and fewest sacks allowed per game (0.73)
Southland Has Nation's Top Two Scoring Teams
The Southland Conference has the nation's top two scoring teams in this week's NCAA rankings. Stephen F. Austin is averaging 37.2 points per game to lead the Football Championship Subdivision. McNeese State is second with its 37.0 points per game. Two other Southland teams are ranked in the top 21. Texas State is 18th (31.9) and Southeastern is 21st (31.3).
Southland Has Three of the Top 10 Passing Offenses
Stephen F. Austin paces the Football Championship Subdivision in passing offense, throwing for an average of 346.1 yards each game. Texas State and Southeastern Louisiana also rank in the top 10. The Bobcats average 288.9 passing yards per game to rank eighth nationally while the Lions are averaging 282.9 passing yards per game to rank ninth. Additionally, Sam Houston State is averaging 232.7 to rank 27th.
Pendland is National Scoring Leader
McNeese State tailback Toddrick Pendland leads the nation in scoring, averaging 11.80 points per game. He leads the conference with six 100-yard games and has turned in two of the top three rushing totals in the Southland this season, going for a Southland best 187 yards at Texas State on Nov. 14 and 171 vs. Sam Houston State on Nov. 7. Pendland has 13 100-yard games in his career. He has 17 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores. Stephen F. Austin kicker Evan Engwall is ranks 11th nationally, averaging 8.82 points per game.
SFA Third Nationally in Total Offense
Stephen F. Austin ranks second among FCS schools in total offense, averaging 477.6 yards per game. Fordham is the national leader, averaging 488.2 yards per game, and Appalachian State is second, averaging 478.9 total yards per game. McNeese State is ranked fifth (443.0) and Texas State ir ranked 12th (422.2).
Knicky is National Leader in Sacks
Stephen F. Austin linebacker Tim Knicky recorded one sack at Northwestern State last week to up his season total to 12. He is averaging 1.20 per game to lead the Football Championship Subdivision. The Lumberjacks are fifth nationally in sacks as a team. They are averaging 3.45 sacks per game having recorded 38 sacks in 11 games. SFA also is 12th in tackles for loss (7.64 per game), having 84 stops behind the line of scrimmage totaling 358 yards.
Three Teams in Top 10 in Net Punting
Sam Houston State is sixth in the nation in net punting, averaging 37.73 net yards per punt. Two other Southland teams also are highly ranked in net punting, including Nicholls, which is eighth with an average of 37.54 and Southeastern Louisiana, which is 16th with an average of 36.18. Nicholls' punter Patrick Dolan is also ranked fifth in the nation, averaging 42.73 yards per punt. In nine games, the junior had 59 punts totaling 2,521 yards. He has landed 17 inside the 20 and has 13 of more than 50 yards.
Moses Ranks Fourth in Total Offense
Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses ranks fourth nationally in total offense, averaging 322.1 yards per game. A total of five Southland signal callers are ranked in the top 22 nationally. Texas State's Bradley George ranks seventh (286.1) and Sam Houston State's Blake Joseph is 15th, averaging 273.2 total yards per game. McNeese State's Derrick Fourroux is 18th (264.9) and Southeastern Louisiana's Brian Babin is 22nd (252.6).
Southland Players of the Week, Nov. 23
Central Arkansas running back Brent Grimes, who recorded career highs with 39 carries and 181 yards in a loss at McNeese State last Saturday, was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The conference also recognized Nicholls defensive back Bobby Felder as the defensive player of the week and Stephen F. Austin punter Drew Nelson as the special teams player of the week.
Other Notable Performances Last Week:
- Nicholls fullback Marlin Meeks turned in his third 100-yard rushing performance of the season in the Colonels' 45-30 victory at Southeastern Louisiana. Meeks ran for 100 yards or more in three of his last four games, including a pair of victories.
- Sam Houston State quarterback Blake Joseph completed the 2009 season with 2,440 yards passing, the sixth highest single season by a Bearkat quarterback. He passed for 240 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-36 aim in the loss at Texas State last Saturday.
- Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses became the school's all-time leader in passing yards with his 333-yard performance in the Lumberjacks' 19-10 victory at Northwestern State that clinched the league's automatic berth into the NCAA playoffs. He moved in front of Todd Hammel's record of 8,631 yards and currently has 8,787.
- Texas State wide receiver Da'Marcus Griggs caught 11 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Sam Houston State. His 11 receptions were a career high and one shy of tying the school record. The yardage total was also his career high. He finished the year with 80 receptions, breaking Cameron Luke's school record of 73 which was set last year.
- Central Arkansas linebacker Jacob Bane had a career-high 11 solo tackles in a loss at McNeese State and spearheaded a defense that held the Cowboys to 250 total yards, 212 yards below their season average. It also head the league's leading rusher, Toddrick Pendland, to 44 yards and the Cowboys to 83 yards passing.
- Northwestern State linebacker Rogers Loche recorded the Demons' first interception in conference play and blocked a first-half field goal. The Demons held the highest scoring offense in the Football Championship Subdivision to 20 points under its averaged. They also limited SFA, the nation's No. 2 offense, 74 yards below its average.
Five Players Named Academic All-District VI by CoSIDA
Five Southland Conference players were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI Team, the College Sports Information Directors of America announced Nov. 5. Northwestern State led all Southland schools with three selections, matching Baylor and Texas for most selections in the district.
Northwestern placed running back Quinten Goodie, tight end Justin Aldredge and defensive lineman Scott Wattigny on the list. Additionally, Sam Houston State offensive lineman Jordan Bowersox and Central Arkansas offensive lineman Austin Emerson were selected.
All five student-athletes advance to the national ballot of 192 finalists for Academic All-America. District VI consists of universities in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Student-athletes are eligible if they have a cumulative 3.3 grade-point average, have spent at least one year on campus and are important players for their teams.
Frisco is Finalist for FCS Title Games
The NCAA notified Frisco officials Monday that the city is a finalist to possibly play host to the NCAA Division I Football Championship games following the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons.
The Frisco bid is a joint effort between the City of Frisco, Hunt Sports Group, LLC, the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. The Southland Conference, also based in Frisco, would serve as the host conference for the national championship that would be played at Pizza Hut Park, the city's 23,500-seat multi-purpose stadium.
In addition, the Frisco bid effort was endorsed by numerous entities, including the U.S. Congressional delegation from North Texas, the area's state legislators, and other Dallas-Fort Worth based collegiate sports organizations such as the AT&T Cotton Bowl, the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame, the Big 12 Conference and Conference USA. DFW International Airport and Dallas-based Southwest Airlines also submitted letters of support for the championship endeavor.