Stephen F. Austin to Face Montana in FCS Playoffs
No. 12/12 Stephen F. Austin will face No. 1/3 Montana in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Playoffs at 1 p.m. Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. The Lumberjacks beat Eastern Washington 44-33 in a first-round game in Nacogdoches, Texas to set up the meeting while the Grizzlies, which beat South Dakota State 61-48 last Saturday by scoring 40 consecutive points.
Stephen F. Austin Posts First Playoff Victory Since 1995
Stephen F. Austin recorded its first postseason victory since the 1995 season with a 44-33 win over Eastern Washington in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Playoffs. The teams combined for 77 points and 1,158 yards of offense.
The Lumberjacks built on an 11-point halftime lead with two scoring strikes by quarterback Jeremy Moses to take a 37-12 lead with 5:54 to play in the third quarter, but the Eagles were not done. Quarterback Matt Nichols cut the deficit to 11 points with 9 minutes to play and were driving again before SFA freshman cornerback Jordan Aubrey picked off Nicholls to end the quarterback's string of 268 consecutive passes without an interception.
The Lumberjacks finished the game with 595 yards of total offense, while Eastern Washington recorded 563 yards. Moses completed 43-of-57 passes for 432 yards and four touchdowns. Nichols was 43-of-76 for 461 yards and threw three scores.
Moses connected with nine different receivers led by senior Duane Brooks who tied a school record with his 15 receptions for 124 yards. Brooks became the first player in Southland Conference history to record 100 receptions in a season with his fifth catch of the night. Brandon Scott finished with 11 catches for 89 yards and two scores, all three marks are new career highs for the sophomore wide out. Freshman Cordell Roberson also added four catches for 89 yards and a score in the game. Senior Vincent Pervis led the SFA ground attack with 16 carries for 125 yards. Freshman Romonte Hampton added five carries for 28 yards and a score.
First Southland Playoff Win Since 2005
The win by the Lumberjacks last week was the first playoff win by a Southland Conference team since the 2005 season. League teams lost their first-round games in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Texas State, which won its first-round game in 2005, reached the semifinals before losing to Northern Iowa 40-37 in overtime.
Against Montana
Stephen F. Austin is looking for its first win against Montana, which has a 3-0 advantage in the series. The Grizzlies won the only playoff game between the schools, winning 70-14 in the semifinals of the 1995 playoffs. SFA is 0-2 at Montana.
Southland Conference teams are 2-11 against Montana in the Division I playoffs and have not beaten the Grizzlies since 2002 when McNeese State won a quarterfinal matchup in Lake Charles, La. The Cowboys also beat Montana in the first round of the 1997 playoffs. Since 2000, the Southland is 1-7 against Montana. The league has never won a road playoff game at Montana.
Stephen F. Austin in the Playoffs
This is Stephen F. Austin's fifth overall playoff appearance, but its first since the 1995 season when it advanced to the NCAA semifinals. Montana ended the Lumberjacks' season that year with a 70-14 win. The Lumberjacks' other playoff appearances came in 1988, 1989 and 1993. SFA reached the 1989 championship game, where it lost to Georgia Southern by a field goal, 37-34, in Statesboro, Ga.
Stephen F. Austin is 2-1 in the quarterfinal round. The Lumberjacks reached the quarterfinals in 1988 and again the following year during the team's run at a national championship, a 55-25 victory over Southwest Missouri. It also beat Appalachian State 27-17 in 1995. The lone quarterfinals loss was to Georgia Southern in 1988.
Ten Wins for Lumberjacks
Stephen F. Austin improved to 10-2 after beating Eastern Washington last week. SFA has reached double figures in wins four times. The Lumberjacks won 10 games in 1988, 1989 and 2009 and won a school-record 11 games in 1995.
SFA, McNeese Share Southland Championship
Stephen F. Austin and McNeese State shared the 2009 Southland Conference championship with 6-1 records, though Stephen F. Austin was the league's automatic qualifier for the NCAA playoffs by virtue of its 16-13 victory over the Cowboys on Oct. 10. SFA's lone conference loss was at Texas State.
The 'Jacks' Southland 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.
Look Back at Last Week
Three Southland Conference teams were in action last week. Stephen F. Austin beat Eastern Washington, 44-33, in the first round of the playoffs, while McNeese State stumbled at home, falling to New Hampshire 49-13 in its first-round game. Central Arkansas closed its season with a non-conference home loss to North Dakota, 17-16.
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 final FCS Coaches and Sports Network polls of the regular season 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 10,237 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 (8,226), passes completed (618), rushing yards (1,990) and touchdowns rushing and passing (92). This season, Fourroux has completed more than 64 percent of his passes (206-of-322) for 2,477 yards and 20 touchdowns and has a pass efficiency rating of 144.74, which ranks 16th nationally. 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 9,219 yards and 87 touchdowns. The junior from Baytown, Texas (Lee) has thrown for 300 or more yards 18 times in his career, including eight times this season. Moses has completed nearly 68 percent of his passes (363-of 531) for 3,920 yards and 40 touchdowns. He is second in the nation averaging 326.7 passing yards per game and ranks third in total offense, averaging 329.8 yards per game. His pass efficiency rating of 148.83 ranks 13th 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 12 sacks to tie for second in the Southland and his 10.5 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 298.0 yards per game, and rushing defense, stifling opponents to just 100.2 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 1.14 per game. In 11 games this season, the senior from Cedar Park, Texas, has 14 tackles for loss (minus-98 yards) and 15 sacks (minus-90 yards). Averaging 1.36 tackles for loss per game, Knicky is tied for 19th in the FCS. He also forced a fumble and had one fumble recovery. The Lumberjacks' defense led the conference and ranked 18th nationally in passing efficiency defense (108.38). It also was second in the conference in total defense (335.4), scoring defense (20.5) and rush defense (110.0). 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 67 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. He added two interceptions and four pass breakups. His tackle total tied for the 22nd-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 54 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 10-2 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 second-best total offense. Defense has also played a significant part in the Lumberjacks' success. They rank fourth in sacks 16th in passing efficiency defense, 23rd in rushing defense and 31st in scoring defense. He is the second SFA skipper to earn Southland coach of the year laurels.
Southland Had 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 (37.8) and passing offense, averaging 353.3 yards per game. They also are second in total offense (484.7). SFA leads the Southland in pass efficiency (152.69), pass efficiency defense (108.38), sacks (3.42), tackles for loss (7.50) and kickoff returns (21.4).
SFA Leads Nation in Scoring, Passing
Stephen F. Austin is the top scoring team in the Football Championship Subdivision, averaging 37.75 points per game. That is one point per game better than Montana, this week's playoff opponent. Three other teams are ranked in the top 20, including McNeese State, which is tied for fifth (35.0), Texas State, which is tied for 16th (31.91) and Southeastern Louisiana, which is 18th (31.27)
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 352.3 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 seventh 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 11.73 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 9.25 points per game.
SFA Second Nationally in Total Offense
Stephen F. Austin ranks second among FCS schools in total offense, averaging 484.7 yards per game. Fordham is the national leader, averaging 488.8 yards per game, and Appalachian State is third, averaging 464.2 total yards per game. McNeese State is ranked seventh (433.3) and Texas State is ranked 12th (422.2).
Knicky is National Leader in Sacks
Stephen F. Austin linebacker Tim Knicky recorded a half sack last week vs. Eastern Washington to up his season total to 12.5. He is averaging 1.14 per game to lead the Football Championship Subdivision. The Lumberjacks are tied for fourth nationally in sacks as a team. They are averaging 3.42 sacks per game having recorded 41 sacks in 12 games. SFA also is 14th in tackles for loss (7.50 per game), having 90 stops behind the line of scrimmage totaling 387 yards.
Two Teams in Top 10 in Net Punting
Sam Houston State is fifth in the nation in net punting, averaging 37.73 net yards per punt, and Nicholls, which is seventh with an average of 37.54. Southeastern Louisiana, which is 14th with an average of 36.18. Nicholls' punter Patrick Dolan is also ranked fifth in the nation, averaging 42.73 yards per punt. In 11 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 Third in Total Offense
Stephen F. Austin quarterback Jeremy Moses ranks third nationally in total offense, averaging 329.8 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 14th, averaging 273.2 total yards per game. McNeese State's Derrick Fourroux is 18th (259.4) and Southeastern Louisiana's Brian Babin is 22nd (252.6).
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.