Southland Features Three Televised Games in Week Nine
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – There will be three broadcast opportunities for Southland Conference teams on Saturday including Stephen F. Austin vs. Central Arkansas at 3 p.m., CT, on the Southland Conference Television Network, Lamar vs. Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. on ESPN3, plus future Southland Conference member Abilene Christian visiting New Mexico State at 7 p.m. on ESPN3.
Stephen F. Austin at Central Arkansas, 3 p.m., CT
Estes Stadium, Conway, Ark.
Southland Conference Television Network | Affiliate List
Announcers: David Saltzman, Shea Walker and Erin Cofiell
Stephen F. Austin will be trying to win its second consecutive game against Central Arkansas when the teams meet Saturday at First Security Field at Estes Stadium in Conway. The Lumberjacks, who handed the Bears their only conference loss last season, will also be trying to win for the second consecutive week after beating Nicholls last Saturday on homecoming in Nacogdoches. SFA is 3-4 overall and 1-1 in Southland Conference action this season compared to UCA’s 4-3 overall mark. The Bears are also 1-1 in league play having won at Lamar last Saturday. SFA enters the game with the nation’s No. 2 offense, averaging 563.7 yards per game, and the No. 2 passing offense, averaging 377.9 yards per game. UCA also boasts the No. 6 passing offense in the FCS, throwing for an average of 334.0 yards per game. SFA is led by quarterback Brady Attaway, who has completed 211 of 352 passes for 2,393 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the FCS in both passing yards and passing touchdowns, while his 341.9 passing yards per game rank third. Mike Brooks has caught 46 passes for 584 yards and seven touchdowns, while Gus Johnson has covered 768 yards on 123 carries to go with nine touchdowns. Most of UCA’s passing yards have come from quarterback Wynrick Smothers, but his season ended with an injury against Nebraska-Kearney Oct. 12. Ryan Howard got the start last week at Lamar. In four games this season, he has completed 36 of 57 passes for 408 yards and five touchdowns. Dezmin Lewis has 29 receptions for 377 yards and two scores, while Blake Veasley is the team’s leading rusher with 240 yards and four touchdowns on 67 rushing attempts. Central Arkansas holds a 4-3 all-time lead in the series.
Lamar at Southeastern Louisiana, 7 p.m., CT
Strawberry Stadium, Hammond, La.
ESPN3; Announcers: Lincoln Rose and Gerald Broussard
It’s homecoming at Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday when the Lions play host to Lamar. Southeastern is 5-2 overall and one of just two undefeated teams in the Southland Conference at 2-0. The Cardinals visit in search of their conference win. They are 3-4 overall and 0-2 in league play with heart-breaking losses to 2012 co-champions Sam Houston State and Central Arkansas. The Lions, who have beaten Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State, are trying to extend their win streak to five games heading into next weekend’s showdown at McNeese State. First things first though for the Lions, who are trying to make it two straight wins against Lamar after last year’s 31-21 victory in Beaumont. Southeastern is led by the running and passing of quarterback Bryan Bennett, who averages 210 yards passing and 62.6 yards rushing. He has completed 64.1 percent of his passes (98 of 153) for 1,475 yards and seven touchdowns, while totaling 438 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 80 carries. Jeff Smiley is the Lions’ leading receiver with 30 receptions for 381 yards and three scores. On the other sideline is Lamar quarterback Caleb Berry, who has thrown for 1,723 yards and 16 touchdowns on 58.5 percent aim (152 of 260). Kade Harrington leads the Cardinals on the ground with 474 yards and three touchdowns on 92 carries. Reggie Begelton has 39 receptions for 399 yards and six scores. Lamar and Southeastern are the top two teams in the conference in scoring defense, holding opponents 20.3 and 21.3 points per game, respectively. Lamar ranks sixth in the FCS in passing defense, holding the opposition to just 153.6 passing yards per game. They also rank 14th in scoring defense and 17th in total defense (325.1). Southeastern leads the all-time series 5-3.
Abilene Christian at New Mexico State, 7 p.m., CT
Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, N.M.
ESPN3; Announcers: Glen Cerny and Danny Knee
The third league game Saturday that will be broadcast involves future Southland Conference football team Abilene Christian when it visits New Mexico State at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, N.M. The game will kick off at 7 p.m., CT, and be available on ESPN3. ACU is playing this season as an FCS Independent before playing its first season in the Southland in 2014. The Wildcats joined the league in July and are already competing in the league in other sports. ACU is 5-3 and has won its last two games against Houston Baptist and UIW. ACU is averaging 47.0 points and 453.5 yards on offense, while limiting opponents to just 21.1 points and 362.2 yards per game. John David Baker is the Wildcat quarterback. He has completed 164 of 251 passes for 2,184 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has thrown just two interceptions all season. Taylor Gabriel has caught 44 passes for 695 yards and eight touchdowns and Darian Hogg has 36 catches for 579 yards and five scores. Charcandrick West has 562 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 41 carries. Angel Lopez leads the team with 69 tackles. New Mexico State is looking for its first win and is 0-7 as an FBS Independent. The Aggies, who are riding an 18-game losing streak, are averaging just 16.3 points and 354.3 yards per game this season. They yield 48.3 points and 569.4 yards to opposing offenses. Quarterback Andrew McDonald leads the team with 176.3 passing yards per game on 115 of 177 passing for 1,234 yards and six touchdowns. Joshua Bowen has 268 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 27 catches and Brandon Betancourt is the team’s rushing leader totaling 406 yards and two touchdowns on 91 carries for an average of 58.0 yards per game. This is the first meeting between the teams.
About Southland TV
The Southland TV Network enters its sixth season in 2013, fresh of winning it second College Sports Media Awards honor for live event production. This year’s Southland TV schedule includes eight games, which will be carried on more than 25 affiliates across the region. The Southland TV Network has produced more than 150 events since its inception in 2008. All Southland TV games will be streamed live and for free on the Southland Digital Network, available via Southland.org and the Southland’s official mobile and tablet app for iPhone and Android devices. The list of affiliates varies each week with the full carriage list available at Southland.org/television.
About ESPN3
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of exclusive sports events annually. It is accessible online at WatchESPN.com on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and streamed on televisions through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and Apple TV. The network is currently available to more than 85 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational and on-base military broadband and Wi-Fi networks.