FRISCO, Texas — SFA looked like one of the nation's best teams through its first seven games. A No. 2 ranking in both major polls a No. 4 placement in the FCS Playoff Committee's Top 10 reflected that notion. However, Saturday's history-making performance cemented their status as a national title threat and arguable top team in the country.
No. 2 SFA 45, No. 23/24 Southeastern 24
The 'Jacks offense had no trouble getting things started with running back Jaylen Jenkins finding the end zone on a six-yard carry to cap a gme-opening drive that lasted less than two minutes. That possession marked the first of three touchdown drives in SFA's first four possesssions. However, Southeastern hung around through halftime and into the early minutes of the third quarter despite the stingy efforts of the SFA defense. Leading 21-17 in the third, the 'Jacks broke things open when Gavin Rutherford finding Cameron Kelley who galloped for an 81-yard touchdown. On the ensuing Lions' possession, a tipped pass landed in the lap of A'Amear Walton who ran it back 20 yards, suddenly giving the 'Jacks a 35-17 lead which was extended to a 42-17 advantage shortly after when JT Kitna dashed across the goal line. SFA's +23.9 average scoring margin is the largest in FCS this season.
SFA Next: HCU, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
SLU Next: @East Texas A&M, Oct. 31, 3 p.m.
No. 15/16 Lamar 35, RV/NR HCU 10
A week removed from some defensive struggles in Hammond, Lamar's defense turned the page and smothered HCU's attack, limiting the Huskies to just three points and 194 total yards offensively. Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, Lamar's stars started to find the end zone. First, Davin Driskell reeled in a four-yard score before Jojo Uga rumbled into the end zone from two-yards out, giving Lamar a 14-3 lead with 6:51 to play in the second. HCU's defense came up big before the half when safety Javon Bejarano picked off Aiden McCown and returned the interception for a touchdown, marking his third straight game with a pick-six. But the rest of this one was all Cardinals as Driskell and Uga would each find the end zone again in the third quarter and Cam Patterson's 15-yard touchdown run with 14:20 to play put the game out of reach.
LU Next: @UTRGV Oct. 31, 7 p.m.
HCU Next: @SFA, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
UTRGV 30, Central Arkansas 27
UTRGV found itself in a grind on the road that needed overtime for completion. Tied early in the third, Broderick Taylor found the end zone on a 14-yard run. Central Arkansas would pull even until the Vaqueros pulled ahead on a Brysen Gardner field goal with 1:48 to go. That score would be matched again in the waning seconds of the fourth. Central Arkansas kicked another field goal to start the overtime frame, setting up Taylor's 25-yard run down the right sideline, ending the game and giving the Vaqueros their first ever overtime win. The victory also marked the SLC's fourth win over the UAC this season, making the Conference 4-1 against such opponents.
UTRGV Next: Lamar, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.
UIW 38, McNeese 6
The Cardinals rolled at home for the second straight game. A forced strip-sack by the defense on McNeese's first possession was followed immediately by Emmett Brown's first of five total touchdowns on the day. The scoring stalled for a bit before a flurry to end the second. Brown found Roy Alexander and Jacob Emmers within the span of a minute of game time. With five second to play in the half, Brown connected with Isaiah Champagne, giving UIW a 28-6 lead going into the break. The Cardinals commanded the action from there, cruising to their second straight win.
UIW Next: Northwestern State, Oct. 31, 1 p.m.
MCN Next: Nicholls, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
Other SLC Results
Nicholls 31, Northwestern State 27
Prairie View A&M 30, East Texas A&M 19
Week 9 Outlook